Here’s a delicious recipe for Patatas Bravas Recipe, a classic Spanish dish featuring crispy potatoes served with a spicy tomato sauce and often accompanied by garlic aioli.
Patatas Bravas is one of Spain’s most popular tapas dishes—a simple yet bold combination of crispy fried potatoes topped with a spicy, smoky bravas sauce. Known for its contrasting textures and flavors, Patatas Bravas brings a taste of Spanish culture to the table and is perfect for sharing. This dish, often enjoyed in tapas bars across Spain, is the ultimate comfort food, with golden, crunchy potatoes and a zesty sauce that adds just the right amount of heat. In this easy recipe, you’ll learn how to make patatas bravas at home, capturing the authentic Spanish flavors in each delicious bite.
Patatas Bravas Recipe
Ingredients
For the Potatoes:
- 2 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch dice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
the Salsa Brava:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Spanish smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
- 2-3 dashes hot sauce (to taste)
- Salt, to taste
For the Garlic Aioli (optional):
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, grated or pressed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Potatoes:
- Place a large baking sheet in a cold oven and preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C).
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add baking soda and salt. When boiling, add the diced potatoes and cover. Boil for 1 minute, then drain in a colander.
- Return the potatoes to the pot and stir for 30 seconds to dry them out. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper, stirring to coat.
- Bake the Potatoes:
- Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and pour the potatoes onto it in a single layer.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and flip the potatoes. Return to the oven and bake for another 15-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Salsa Brava:
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until soft and golden, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add crushed tomatoes, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook on low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Prepare the Garlic Aioli (if using):
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise with grated garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Serve:
- Once the potatoes are crispy, remove them from the oven and place them on a serving platter.
- Drizzle or spoon salsa brava over the potatoes. Serve with garlic aioli on the side or drizzled on top.
- Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Tips
- For extra flavor, you can add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the potatoes before baking.
- Adjust the level of spiciness in the salsa brava by increasing or decreasing cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Patatas Bravas Recipe
To start, focus on the perfect potatoes. For Patatas Bravas, the potatoes are traditionally cut into bite-sized cubes and fried until golden and crisp on the outside, with a tender, fluffy interior. Use starchy potatoes, like Russets, for the best texture. If you prefer a lighter version, the potatoes can also be roasted in the oven until crisp. A bit of salt sprinkled over the potatoes while they’re still warm ensures they’re perfectly seasoned and ready to be paired with the signature bravas sauce.
The bravas sauce is where this dish truly shines, bringing depth and spice to the plate. In this recipe, the sauce starts with sautéed onions and garlic to build a savory base. Smoked paprika and a dash of cayenne pepper are then added to provide the signature heat and smokiness.
The sauce is thickened with a bit of flour, then simmered with tomato puree or crushed tomatoes for a rich, smooth consistency. For an extra kick, a splash of vinegar adds brightness, balancing the sauce’s flavors and bringing the taste of Spain to life. This sauce is then drizzled generously over the crispy potatoes, creating a vibrant contrast in both color and flavor.
Serve the Patatas Bravas hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of green, or add a dollop of aioli for a creamy counterpoint to the spicy bravas sauce. Each bite is a delightful balance of crunch, spice, and savoriness, making it ideal as a side dish, snack, or addition to a tapas spread.
Patatas Bravas can easily be adapted to suit your spice preference—just adjust the cayenne pepper for more or less heat. This recipe brings a lively, authentic Spanish flavor to your table, making it perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying a taste of Spain at home. With a simple ingredient list and bold flavors, Patatas Bravas is a classic that’s easy to love and impossible to forget.
Enjoy your homemade Patatas Bravas as a perfect tapas dish or appetizer!