Patatas Bravas, Delicious Spanish Fried Potatoes (2024)

It’s no secret that food and culture go hand in hand. A country’s traditional dish can tell you a lot about it, and Patatas Bravas tells us that Spain makes delicious yet light food.

Patatas Bravas is a traditional Spanish tapas that has been an integral part of its cuisine for centuries. Its main ingredients are crispy fried potatoes and a spicy, light sauce on top.

You can find this dish in almost all restaurants and tapas bars across Spain, and especially in Madrid.

It’s an absolute must if you want to get a taste of Spanish cuisine without too much of a hassle.

The History of Patatas Bravas

It’s not known when exactly Patatas Bravas was created.

However, we do know that Madrid holds the patent for it.

Europe, in general, didn’t start looking at potatoes as people food till 1542.

Before that, Europeans used potatoes mainly as ornamental plants to be placed by the window or on the porch.

Sometimes it was even chucked to farm animals as lower-grade food.

Aside from that, potatoes had still not earned the respect they deserved.

When Spain conquered the Inca Empire, they discovered that potatoes are delicious and can be cooked in different ways.

Inhabitants of the Inca Empire used potatoes often, and they had a similar recipe to the existing one; fried potatoes with a spicy sauce on top.

The high nutritional value of potatoes, their availability, and low price made them popular with the Spanish soldiers.

They took the recipe back to Madrid, where it was developed and patented.

How to Make Patatas Bravas

Now that we’re done with the trip down memory lane, let’s get to cooking this traditional Spanish dish.

We bet your stomachs are growling just like ours are right now.

We’ll split the patatas bravas recipe into two parts: the fried potatoes and the Spanish Patatas Bravas sauce.

The Potatoes

A typical serving of Patatas Bravas usually consists of 4 potatoes.

The type of potato isn’t set in stone; you can use white or russet potatoes or gold potatoes, but most rely on baby potatoes.

After you’ve chosen your potatoes, go ahead and cut them into bite-sized potato chunks of irregular shape or if you like potato cubes.

Your sweet spot when it comes to size is two centimeters.

Remember, Patatas Bravas is used as an appetizer, not a main course.

So, making it easy to chow down is key.

Afterward, fry the potatoes in extra virgin olive oil on the lowest heat possible just till they start getting a bit of color.

Then remove the fried potatoes from the pan, and put them in the fridge to cool down.

After a couple of minutes, take the potatoes out and turn up the heat as high as possible. Fry the potatoes till they’re golden brown.

Transfer the potatoes to a plate lined with paper towels.

This method ensures the potatoes are perfectly cooked from the inside and the outside, without any excess oil.

The Bravas Sauce

There are many variations for the Bravas sauce across Spain, and even more sprung up as the dish spread across the continent.

For the most part, we’ll stick with the original Bravas sauce recipe made in Madrid.

The ingredients you’re going to need are as follows:

• 2 teaspoons of white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons of chili powder
• ¾ teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
• 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
• ½ cup of water

For the salsa brava, you can make your favorite classic tomato sauce. If you’re in a rush, store-bought tomato sauce will work just as well for this recipe.

Add the white vinegar, chili powder, cayenne pepper to the tomato sauce and mix them well.

Next, add the water, so the bravas sauce isn’t too thick. Then, blend the sauce until it’s silky-smooth.

Pour the Bravas sauce over the crispy fried Spanish potatoes and garnish with some freshly chopped cilantro and kosher salt.

Patatas Bravas sauce isn’t meant to burn your tongue and make you cry your eyes out, but it needs to have a strong flavor.

The word “bravas” means brave or ferocious in Spanish. So, the dish should definitely come packing a punch.

Other Variations of Patatas Bravas Recipes

As we’ve mentioned before, there are many variations to the patatas bravas recipe, whether it’s the potatoes or the Bravas sauce.

Some variations focus on making the potatoes lighter.

Others make them crispier. You can even give the sauce a different taste altogether.

Here a few ideas to try out.

Boil the Potatoes

Instead of frying the potatoes over two times to get them crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, you can boil them first.

Boil whole potatoes first on high heat until they’re soft.

You’ll want to boil them for about ten minutes and not much longer.

Otherwise, the potatoes might be overcooked and crumble when you fry them.

After you take them out of the water, make sure you leave the potatoes to cool down before cutting and frying them.

Bake the Potatoes

An essential variation for those who are cholesterol conscious is baking the potatoes instead of frying them.

Those who tried Patatas Bravas with baked potatoes vouch that it’s as good as the original recipe, if not even better.

Make the Potatoes Extra Crispy

If your main concern in a tapas is the calorie count, then there’s nothing wrong with putting the potatoes straight in the oven and only taking them out once they’re done.

Using the oven doesn’t mean your potatoes can’t be crispy. Simply boil the potatoes in water with half a tablespoon of baking soda for one minute.

The baking soda will give the potatoes a starch layer on the outside that will lead to crunchy potatoes once they’re out of the oven.

Make sure not to put the potatoes in the oven while they’re still wet, though. They’ll take a long time to brown.

Drain the potatoes, then add a generous amount of salt to dry them.

Leave the potatoes in the oven for 15-20 minutes, and the result will be golden and crispy potatoes.

Use Aioli Sauce

In Valencia and the Catalan region, many people prefer the white garlic aioli sauce over the red tomato bravas sauce.

Some restaurants simply provide their customers with both dips and let them choose which one to pour over the potatoes.

The original Spanish name for aioli is “alioli”— “Al” which means garlic, and “oli,” which means oil. Aioli resembles mayonnaise in texture, and that’s the texture you’re going for when you make it.

However, the strong garlic taste distinguishes it from mayonnaise and makes it a perfect companion to the potatoes.

To make garlic aioli, simply mince three garlic cloves in a bowl, then slowly add one egg yolk and whisk. Add extra virgin olive oil to the mixture and whisk until it thickens.

After that, add a pinch of lemon juice, let the mixture cool in the fridge, and voila!

Use a Paprika Sauce

Paprika sauce is a common variation of the traditional tomato-based sauce for patatas bravas.

Here’s a recipe for making paprika sauce:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons sweet spanish paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon hot smoked spanish paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the flour, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using), and stir to combine.
3. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
4. Gradually whisk in the broth, making sure to break up any lumps.
5. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes or until it thickens to your desired consistency.
6. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. Serve the paprika sauce over the fried potatoes (patatas bravas), garnished with chopped fresh parsley or chives if desired.

Note: If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the mixture in a blender or food processor until it’s smooth before serving. You can also adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to make the sauce more or less spicy to your liking.

Pairing Drinks with Patatas Bravas

When it comes to pairing patatas bravas with drinks, there are many options to choose from at your favorite tapas bar.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Beer: Patatas bravas are a popular dish to enjoy with beer, especially in Spain. A cold, refreshing lager or pilsner can be a great choice to balance the spiciness of the bravas sauce. You might want to try a Spanish beer, traditional favorites such as Estrella Galicia or Mahou are excellent choices.
2. Wine: For a more sophisticated pairing, you can try serving patatas bravas with a glass of wine. A light-bodied red wine, such as a Spanish tempranillo or garnacha, can complement the flavors of the spicy spanish potatoes. If you prefer white wine, a Spanish albariño or verdejo can be a good choice.
3. Sangria: Sangria is a traditional Spanish drink that is perfect for pairing with patatas bravas. Made with red wine, fruit, and a touch of brandy or other spirits, sangria can be a refreshing and fruity complement to the dish.
4. Tinto de Verano: Tinto de Verano is a popular summer drink in Spain that is made with red wine and soda. It’s a refreshing and low-alcohol option that can be a great match for patatas bravas.

Overall, the best drink to pair with patatas bravas will depend on your personal preferences and the occasion.

Whether you choose beer, wine, or a traditional Spanish drink, be sure to enjoy the dish and the company you’re sharing it with!

Final Thoughts on Patatas Bravas

Frankly, we’re hard-pressed to find a reason not to try Patatas Brava.

It’s a satisfying dish that’s not too heavy on the stomach.

You can serve it hot or cold, with white sauce or spicy salsa brava red sauce, and it’s an all-around delicious dish that works well with almost anything.

Its merits as a dish aside, you should try Patatas Bravas simply for its cultural value.

As we said before, this is a classic appetizer in Spain, and it has the country’s signature all over it.

Whether it’s the choice of spices or the recipe’s simplicity, this Spanish dish is rife with history and culture.

How about some dessert?

Check out 21 Spanish Desserts That Transcend Your Tastebuds.

And if all this talk of Spanish foods has gotten you hungry, visit and shop our online store for authentic imported Spanish foods and drinks.