Patatas Bravas

These delicious Patatas Bravas are made with crispy, roasted potatoes smothered in a homemade sweet and spicy tomato sauce with a drizzle of creamy garlic aioli. Plus, you don't need to go to the Spanish tapas bar to enjoy this easy meal at home.

Serve them as an appy or party food, as a complete meal for lunch or dinner, or as a side dish. However you decide to serve it, you are guaranteed to take your potatoes to the next level!

What are Patatas Bravas?

So what are patatas bravas? The phrase literally means potatoes with salsa brava, which is a spicy tomato sauce - kind of like Marinara Sauce but spicier and smokier. These saucy potatoes are a staple at Spanish tapas bars where they are traditionally served for dinner Spanish tapas style, along with other delicious snacks. I first tried them years ago in Spain and have become obsessed ever since. Once you try them, you too will understand why.

There are a few different ways to prepare these and they often differ from region to region. Some versions are served with a mayonnaise sauce or aoili, others are served tossed in the tomato sauce, and some have tomato sauce just spooned on top. The options are endless, but a few key ingredients always stay the same: potatoes, tomatoes, and spices. Smoked paprika is one of those key spices, since the smokey flavour is what this brava salsa is all about!

Why You'll Love These Patatas Bravas

• Made healthier with roasted potatoes. If you order these off the menu at your favorite Spanish tapas bar, the potatoes will often be boiled and then deep-fried in oil. However, ours are a healthier baked version, and you still end up with the perfect potatoes that are crispy and browned on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
• It's so easy to make. If you've had patatas bravas before, it may be intimidating to recreate at home, but let me tell you - this recipe is easy. You really just grab a few potatoes, chop them up, and pop into the oven. Meanwhile cook a simple tomato sauce and blend it. Then, make homemade garlic aioli in 2 minutes (or use store-bought). Assemble everything together and serve! , it may sound like a lot of steps, but they are simple and come together quickly.
• So many ways to serve them. Serve homemade patatas bravas as a side dish, or as a light lunch or dinner, tapas-style, with a few cocktail sticks for poking! These would also be an amazing addition to brunch.

Ingredient Notes

To make these delicious Patatas Bravas Spanish Potatoes, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• roasted potatoes - I recommend using red potatoes because they roast really well and hold their shape. Baby potatoes sliced in half also work well. You will also need to season it with paprika, salt, and pepper, tossed in olive oil.
• bravas sauce - we make homemade sauce using olive oil, white or yellow onion, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, chili powder, sugar, salt, and pepper. You can also adjust the level of spiciness by adding more or less chili powder. You can similarly adjust the sweetness by adjusting the amount of sugar that you add.
• garlic aioli - made in less than 2 minutes by stirring together mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice for the most potent flavor. Feel free to use store-bought aioli if it's more convenient.
• fresh flat-leave parsley - optional to garnish on top and add extra flavor.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, large half sheet baking pan, skillet, food processor or blender, and mixing bowl.

How to Make the Best Patatas Bravas

First, roast the potatoes.

1. Peel and rinse the potatoes, and use a paper towel to dry them thoroughly. Cut the potatoes into 1-inch cubes.
2. Place potatoes on a large half sheet baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine and arrange the potatoes in a single layer.
3. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven. Bake in a 425F preheated oven for 25 minutes, then remove from oven and give the potatoes a good stir. Return to the oven for 10 minutes until crisp, golden brown, and fork tender. Remove from the oven.

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Next, make the salsa brava.

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering hot, about 1-2 minutes. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until soft and translucent. Turn the heat down to low and add tomatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Remove the sauce from the heat and allow it to cool down a bit. Transfer to a food processor or blender. Puree until your sauce is smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. If you find the sauce too thick to blend, add a little water until desired consistency is reached.
3. Add smoked paprika and season to taste with chilli powder, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined.

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Don't forget the garlic aioli.

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayo, garlic, and lemon juice. Stir until smooth.

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How to Serve

Serve these roasted potatoes in a serving dish with the bravas sauce and garlic aioli drizzled on top or on the side. I also like to sprinkle some parsley on top and serve.

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You can serve patatas bravas by itself as an appetizer, or as a side dish with a dinner entree. Some other Spanish-inspired dishes that you can serve these with are:

• One Pot Spanish Chicken and Rice
• Mediterranean Brown Rice Salad
• Olive Tapenade
• Charcuterie Board

More Potato Recipes

• 40 Best Potato Recipes
• Greek Fries
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes
• Roasted Garlic Parmesan Baby Potatoes
• Hasselback Potatoes

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