Healthy patata bravas [Roasted, Sauteed, Air Fried]

What is Patatas Bravas?

Patatas Bravas (also called Papas Bravas/ Patatas a la Brava) is one of the most popular Spanish potato tapas from Madrid but found all over Spain. Traditionally, it pairs deep-fried diced potatoes with a smoky, flavorful tomato sauce called salsa brava and optionally creamy garlic alioli/aioli to balance the spiciness.

Luckily, however, it’s easy to make at home, can be made at a fraction of the cost, and doesn’t require a deep fryer. Instead, this homemade patatas bravas recipe uses an oven, air fryer, or skillet for delicious yet healthy patatas bravas that only need a fraction of the oil.

Even better, we’ve included two versions of tomato-based Patatas Bravas sauce below: a quick “cheat” you can put together from pantry ingredients in practically seconds, or a more traditional cooked version from scratch.

Once prepared, serve the Spicy Spanish Potatoes as a hearty appetizer, side dish, or party/game day snack along with olives, cucumbers, shishito peppers, portobello pizzas, and more delicious vegan appetizers!

The ingredients and substitutes

• Potatoes: Starch potatoes like red potatoes work best, although Yukon Gold also works.
• Oil: Use any neutral cooking oil. We used olive oil.
• Salt: Kosher works best. You can also use black pepper if you prefer.
• The Bravas sauce: For an easy, inexpensive bravas sauce recipe, we combine ketchup, sriracha, and Spanish sweet and/or hot smoked paprika (pimentón). Spanish peppers are smokier and sweeter than regular peppers.
• Parsely: For garnish.

For a more traditional patatas bravas saucecombine 1 small onion + 2-3 cloves of garlic + 1 can of chopped tomatoes + pinch of pimentón + sriracha (or cayenne pepper/chili) + optionally a pinch of sugar/maple to balance the tomato acidity or vinegar for extra spiciness.

How to make patatas bravas

It only takes a few steps to make this Spicy Potato Recipe – easy for a beginner in the kitchen.

• 1) First, preheat the oven to 425F/218C. Meanwhile, peel the potatoes, cut into 1 inch (2 cm) pieces and place them directly into a large saucepan/bowl of cold water.

• 2) Swirl the potatoes to remove excess starch, then drain and cover the potatoes again with fresh water. Place them on the stove and bring the water to a boil over high heat.

• 3) Once cooked, reduce heat to medium-high and cook until just barely tender (between 5-8 minutes but will vary by size).
• 4) Drain the potatoes in a colander, then place in a bowl and mix with the olive oil and a little salt. Fluffy edges are fine and make crispier edges.

It’s best to leave them alone Steam dry or pat dry with a kitchen towel. If they are wet, they will steam rather than crisp.

• 5) Spread the potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast in the oven until crisp and golden brown, about 40-50 minutes, turning every 15 minutes.

• 6) Meanwhile, prepare the Bravas sauce by mixing all the ingredients together in a small bowl.

To prepare the more traditional salsa brava sauce, sauté the onion/garlic until translucent, add the remaining ingredients, bring to the boil, then simmer for 12-15 minutes. Taste and adjust all the ingredients, then blend until smooth.

• 7) When both items are ready, transfer the potatoes to a platter, season with more salt (to taste) and serve with the Bravas sauce, either drizzled over, tossed, or served on the side.

Optionally drizzle with some vegan garlic aioli, then enjoy the vegan patatas bravas immediately!

Air Fryer Patatas Bravas

Follow steps 1-4 above, then spread the potatoes in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary) in your Airfryer basket, leaving space in between. Spray lightly with oil, then air fry at 400ºF/200ºC for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.

Flat fried papas bravas

Follow steps 1-4 above, then heat a little oil in a large skillet and sauté the Bravas potatoes in the pan for 5-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the edges.