The tapa idea is such a social way to eat too, and when we have guests over I often make tapas style spreads so everyone can help themselves to what they want, and eat as much – or little – as they like!
Patatas Bravas is a classic tapa dish, with this version I have adjusted it slightly for our tastes (and made a few healthy tweaks!). There are 3 elements to this easy Spanish tapas recipe:
1. Crispy potatoes
2. Brava sauce
3. Garlic aioli
Crispy Potatoes
Many Spanish restaurants fry their potatoes, but I prefer to roast them – with their skins. Keeping the skins on is not only easier (no peeling required!), but the skins go extra crispy, and are also a good source of fibre, which many of us don’t eat enough of.
Brava Sauce
(Salsa brava) is a simple spicy tomato sauce, flavoured with smoked paprika (which is my favourite spice, and I put it in as many dishes as I can!)
Garlic Aioli
Roasting the garlic with the potatoes makes it less pungent – if you want that garlic kick, leave out this step. Mixing plain Greek yogurt with mayo lightens up the aioli, and gives the sauce a slight sharpness, which I love.
Can I Make Patatas Bravas Ahead?
The tomato sauce and the aioli can both be made a day ahead of time. The tomato sauce can be made a couple of days ahead, but I have found the aioli starts to go a little watery if left in the fridge for 2 days.
What can I serve with Patatas Bravas?
You can serve it as a side dish, to meat or fish, or topped with a fried or poached egg for brunch or lunch!
If you want to serve it as part of a tapas menu, here are a few delicious tapas recipes:
Roasted Capsicum Pesto from Its Not Complicated Recipes – Full of Spanish flavour!
Gambas Pil Pil from Sprinkles and Sprouts – Totally addictive prawns!
Pan Con Tomate from Another Food Blogger – Super simple, but so delicious!
Smokey Spanish Meatballs from Whole Food Bellies – meatballs the whole family will love!
Can I make it Dairy Free/Vegan?
You can use dairy free plain yogurt mixed with vegan mayo in place of the regular yogurt and mayo.
If you are looking for more Spanish inspiration, why not have a look at my Torrijas – Spanish Style French Toas
Patatas Bravas Recipe
Ingredients
- Potatoes:
- 500 g potatoes – keep skins on. Cut into 2 cm cubes 12-18 pieces per potato
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Couple sprigs of fresh rosemary
- Sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 Onion – I often use red
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 Tin tomatoes
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne – or splash tobasco – or more depending on who you are serving it too!
- Garlic Aioli:
- 1-2 garlic cloves unpeeled – either roast with potatoes or leave raw
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsbp plain Greek yogurt
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200˚C/400˚F
- Boil potatoes – place in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and then boil for 10 mins, until just tender.
- Drain, then put the lid back on the saucepan and give a little shake to rough up edges of the potatoes.
- Tip out into roasting tin, add the unpeeled garlic cloves and fresh rosemary and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, and season with salt and black pepper. Roast for 15 minutes, then stir the potatoes and check the garlic cloves – if they are soft take them out, as they will cook quicker than the potatoes. Return the potatoes to the oven for another 30-40 minutes, until they are golden all over.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce: Fry the onion in olive oil over a low/medium heat until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute before adding the tomatoes, water, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne/tobasco, and season. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until thick – when you drag a spoon across the pan the juices don’t instantly fill the gap it left.
- To make the aioli: in a bowl mix the mayo and Greek yogurt together, squeeze the roasted garlic out of the skin and beat into the yogurt mixture with the lemon juice and black pepper. Put to one side until ready to serve.
- As soon as potatoes are ready, spoon them into heatproof dish and pour over the tomato sauce. I like to leave the garlic aioli on the side for people to add/dip into as they wish, but you could drizzle it over the top if you prefer.
HAVE YOU MADE THIS RECIPE?
I'd love to see your creation!
Or just leave a comment below!
Sally says
I love Spanish flavours and agree that smoked paprika is a wonderful spice. Need a plate of these for dinner I think!
Robyn says
Thanks Sally!
Sylvie says
You had me at crispy potato, but I was 100% at the sound of garlic aioli! Such a delicious side dish, yum!
Robyn says
Thannkyou Sylvie, hot crispy roast potatoes and cold garlic aioli are such a beautiful pairing!
Andrea says
This sounds like the most delicious recipe, I can’t wait to try it! Crispy potatoes on their own would have sold me- but garlic aioli too! Yes please.
Robyn says
Thank you Andrea – yes the garlic aioli is the perfect accompaniment to roast potatoes!
Gavin says
LOVE LOVE LOVE patata bravas – this has made the list of must things to make
Robyn says
Thanks Gavin! Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Alex says
One of my favourite tapas ever, this does not disappoint. SO flavoursome and easy to prepare. We love it!
Robyn says
Mine too Alex 🙂
Sue says
I love roasted potatoes and the addition of sauce and aioli takes them over the top!
Robyn says
It sure does Sue!
Emily Flint says
Thank you for this recipe! I always order patatas bravas when I go to a restaurant that serves them and now I can make them at home!
Robyn says
Hope you enjoy making them Emily!
Linda says
Yum! My husband will love this recipe. He’s all about potatoes and crispy potatoes is his weakness.
Robyn says
You just cant go wrong with crispy potatoes!
Chef Dennis says
This Patatas Bravas recipe looks absolutely delicious and will surely be a new favorite in our home.
Robyn says
Thanks Dennis!