Patatas Bravas Recipe

Introduction

Patatas Bravas is a classic Spanish tapa featuring crispy fried potatoes served with a spicy, smoky tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for sharing and adds a flavorful kick to any gathering.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds potatoes (680 grams)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup onion (heaped when minced)
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 3 tablespoons tomato puree
• 2.5 cups oil (for frying, about 750 milliliters)
• Salt (to taste for sprinkling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Peel the potatoes and cut them into small cubes. Place the cubes in a bowl and cover with water. Set aside for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: While the potatoes soak, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Step 3: Stir in paprika and cayenne pepper, cooking for about one minute. Add flour and vegetable stock, stirring well. Let the sauce cook on low to medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Step 4: Add tomato puree to the sauce and cook for another one to two minutes. Remove from heat and blend the sauce until smooth. Set aside.
5. Step 5: Drain the potatoes and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. Heat oil in an 11-inch (28-centimeter) wide skillet over high heat. Add the potato cubes and fry for about 10 minutes on high heat.
6. Step 6: Reduce the heat and continue frying the potatoes until golden brown and soft inside, about 10 more minutes.
7. Step 7: Transfer the fried potatoes onto a bowl lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. After a minute or two, remove the paper towels.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle salt over the potatoes and shake them gently. Serve warm with the spicy tomato sauce on the side or drizzled over the top.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double fry the potatoes by frying them twice: once at a lower temperature to cook through and once at a higher temperature to crisp up.
• You can substitute cayenne pepper with smoked chili powder for a smoky flavor twist.
• Use homemade vegetable stock for richer sauce flavor, or replace it with chicken stock if preferred.

Storage

Store leftover potatoes and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat the potatoes in an oven or air fryer to regain crispness, and warm the sauce gently on the stove before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?

Yes, sweet potatoes work well but may have a softer texture and sweeter taste. Adjust frying time accordingly to prevent burning.

Is the sauce very spicy?

The sauce has a moderate heat level from the cayenne pepper, which can be adjusted to taste by using less or substituting with mild paprika.

Patatas Bravas Recipe

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4.9 from 91 reviews

Patatas Bravas is a classic Spanish tapas dish featuring crispy fried potatoes served with a spicy, smoky tomato-based sauce. The potatoes are peeled, cubed, and fried until golden and tender inside, then tossed with a flavorful sauce made from sautéed onions, paprika, cayenne pepper, flour, vegetable stock, and tomato puree, blended smooth for a perfect balance of heat and richness. This dish is best enjoyed warm as a delicious appetizer or side.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Spanish

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes

• 1.5 pounds potatoes (680 grams)
• Salt, to taste, for sprinkling

Salsa Brava Sauce

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup onion, minced (heaped)
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup vegetable stock
• 3 tablespoons tomato puree

For Frying

• 2.5 cups oil (about 750 milliliters, for frying)

Instructions

1. Prepare Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut into small cubes. Place the cubes into a bowl and cover with water to remove excess starch. Set aside for 30 minutes to soak.
2. Make the Sauce Base: Heat olive oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced onion and sauté, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
3. Add Spices and Flour: Stir in the paprika and cayenne pepper and cook for about one minute to release their flavors. Then add the flour and vegetable stock, mixing thoroughly to combine. Let this cook over low-medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the tomato puree and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the mixture to a jug or blender, blending until smooth. Set aside.
5. Dry and Fry Potatoes: Drain the soaking water from the potatoes and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove moisture. Heat frying oil in an 11-inch (28 cm) skillet or frying pan over high heat. Add the potato cubes and fry for about 10 minutes on high heat, then reduce heat and continue frying for another 10 minutes until the potatoes are golden brown and soft inside.
6. Drain Excess Oil: Transfer the fried potatoes to a bowl lined with paper kitchen towels to absorb excess oil. Allow to sit for a minute or two, then remove the paper towels.
7. Season Potatoes: Sprinkle salt over the patatas bravas and shake well to coat evenly.
8. Serve: Serve the fried potatoes warm, accompanied by the spicy homemade salsa brava sauce. Best enjoyed fresh and warm for optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

• Note 1: Using a heaped ½ cup minced onion adds good flavor but can be adjusted based on taste preferences.
• Note 2: Paprika provides a smoky flavor, ideally use Spanish smoked paprika if available.
• Note 3: Vegetable stock adds depth to the sauce; homemade or low-sodium store-bought works well.
• Note 4: Tomato puree ensures a thick, rich sauce; substitute with tomato paste diluted with a little water if needed.
• Note 5: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like sunflower or vegetable oil for frying to achieve crispiness without burning.
• Note 6: Blending the sauce until smooth creates a balanced texture and ensures the spices and flavors meld perfectly.

Keywords: Patatas Bravas, Spanish tapas, fried potatoes, spicy sauce, salsa brava, appetizer, traditional Spanish recipe