Description
Spicy Spanish patatas bravas bring fiery excitement to your tapas table with crispy potatoes and zesty sauce. Bold flavors and simple ingredients combine for an authentic Mediterranean experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 to 5 russet potatoes (about 2 lbs/907 grams), peeled and cut into large chunks
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 34 teaspoons baking soda
Cooking Liquid:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil (or other natural cooking oil)
Instructions
- Submerge potatoes in water with baking soda, bring to a rolling boil and parboil for 12 minutes until edges become slightly tender.
- Carefully drain potatoes in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to develop a crispy exterior during frying.
- Pour vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pan, heating to approximately 350°F (175°C), checking readiness by dropping a potato piece which should sizzle immediately.
- Gently lower potato pieces into hot oil in small batches, ensuring they are not overcrowded, and fry for 15-20 minutes, rotating periodically to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration.
- Transfer fried potatoes onto a wire rack lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil, then immediately season with additional salt for enhanced flavor profile.
- Arrange crispy potatoes on a serving platter, accompanied by traditional bravas sauce, creamy aioli, or a complementary dipping sauce of your preference, and serve piping hot for optimal texture and taste.
Notes
- Parboiling with baking soda creates an extra crispy exterior by breaking down potato surface starches, resulting in crunchier edges.
- Thoroughly chilling potatoes after parboiling helps develop a protective starch layer that increases crispiness during deep frying.
- Use high-starch potatoes like Russet or Maris Piper for maximum crunch and fluffy interior texture.
- For a healthier version, consider oven-roasting at 425°F with minimal oil instead of deep-frying, which reduces calories while maintaining similar crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 12 mins
- Cook Time: 20-25 mins
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 538
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg