Patatas Bravas Recipe

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If you’ve ever been to Spain, you know that Patatas Bravas can be found at just about any restaurant you walk into. It’s a classic Spanish dish that is absolute comfort food. It’s like the Spanish version of chili fries or garlic fries as far as comfort food goes. It’s potato wedges or fries served with Bravas sauce, and it’s absolutely delish!

The recipe changes a bit from region to region, so this recipe reflects the Patatas Bravas I’ve had here in the region of Alicante, Spain.

Patatas Bravas served in a parchment-lined basket. Front view.

Love French fries? I have so many recipes!
Check out these Garlic Fries, these Spicy Cajun Fries, or these Chili Cheese Fries.

What Is Patatas Bravas?

Imagine crispy, baked, potato wedges served with a deliciously spiced, paprika sauce. The sauce is slightly thick (some places serve it thicker than others), and you can make it as spicy as you want.

Here in Spain, paprika is very spicey stuff. Something along the lines of cayenne pepper. You have to buy “sweet paprika” to get the stuff we think of as “regular paprika” in the States. And heaven help you if you buy smoked paprika here. It’s insanely good, but also insanely spicey. I forgot about that when I made this. Thankfully, I was able to taste the flavor before the spice level really kicked in. So I can vouch for this being yummy, and I promise, when you make it at home (in the States), you won’t have to worry about it being spicy like it was for me. I promise, your mouth will thank you! but if you want it spicy, feel free to add as much cayenne pepper as you like to get it just right for you.

Overhead view of a parchment-lined basket filled with Patatas Bravas..

What To Serve With Potatas Bravas

Typically, Potatas Bravas is served as a stand-alone dish or snack. Something you might have with a beer on a hot day. But you can add certain toppings such as:

  • Aoli
  • Fresh, chopped parsley
  • Fresh, chopped cilantro

How Much Does Potatas Bravas Cost In Spain?

It truly depends on where you go. Just like anywhere else, prices will vary. Particularly between tourist and local spots. I’ve seen a range of prices from 2 euros up to 7 euros (about $2.75 to roughly $8).

A hand holds a potato wedge with Bravas sauce on it.

What You’ll Need To Make Patatas Bravas

Potatoes – Peeled (or not) and cut into equal wedges, fries, or chunks.

Extra virgin olive oil – Or any light-flavored oil you prefer.

Salt

Smoked paprika

Paprika

Ground cumin

Red wine vinegar

Balsamic vinegar

Chicken broth – Or vegetable broth.

Cornstarch – You’ll mix this with a small amount of water to make a slurry before adding it to the warm sauce for thickening.

How To Make Patatas Bravas

425 degrees set on an oven display.

The Potatoes

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Parchment paper lining a baking sheet.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Adding oil to potato wedges in a metal mixing bowl.
Adding salt to potato wedges and oil in a metal mixing bowl.

In a large bowl, toss the potato wedges with oil, and salt.

Raw potato wedges on a parchment-lined baking pan.

Spread the potatoes evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure they’re not overly crowded.

Baked potato wedges on a parchment-lined baking pan.

Bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden.

Bravas sauce ingredients added to a pot.

The sauce

    Combine all the sauce ingredients except for the slurry, in a small saucepot and bring to a simmer.

    Finished Bravas sauce in a pot with a whisk. Overhead focus.

    Stir in cornstarch slurry. Simmer and stir for 1–2 minutes until thickened. It will thicken more as it cools.

    Baked potato wedges inn a parchment-lined basket.

    Pile baked potatoes on a plate or serving dish.

    Bravas sauce poured over potato wedges in a parchment-lined basket.

    Spoon over the Bravas sauce, garnish, and serve.

      Storage

      Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days if you use vegetable broth, and up to 3 days if you use chicken broth.

      Freezing

      Freezing is not recommended for this recipe.

      Reheating

      Reheat in the oven or in a microwave.

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      Patatas Bravas served in a parchment-lined basket. Front view.

      Patatas Bravas Recipe

      Delicious, Spanish comfort food for a snack or light meal.
      No ratings yet
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      Course: Appetizer, Snack
      Cuisine: Spanish
      Prep Time: 20 minutes
      Cook Time: 40 minutes
      Total Time: 1 hour
      Servings: 4 servings
      Calories: 368kcal

      Ingredients

      Potatoes

      • 4 large potatoes (Russett or Yukon Gold – peel or not peeled, cut into fries, wedges, or chunks.)
      • 3 tbsps. extra virgin olive oil
      • ½ tsp. salt (plus more if needed at serving)

      Bravas Sauce

      • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
      • 2 tsp. smoked paprika
      • 1 tsp. regular paprika
      • 2 tsp. red wine vinegar
      • 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
      • 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
      • salt (to taste)
      • 1 tbsp. cornstarch (+ 2 tbsp cold water – mix into slurry)
      • ¼ tsp. ground cumin

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
        425 degrees set on an oven display.
      • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
        Parchment paper lining a baking sheet.
      • In a large bowl, toss the potato wedges with oil and salt.
        Adding salt to potato wedges and oil in a metal mixing bowl.
      • Spread the potatoes out evenly on the baking sheet, making sure they’re not crowded.
        Raw potato wedges on a parchment-lined baking pan.
      • Bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and golden.
        Baked potato wedges on a parchment-lined baking pan.
      • Combine all the sauce ingredients except for the slurry, in a small saucepot and bring to a simmer.
        Bravas sauce ingredients added to a pot.
      • Once the sauce simmers, stir in the cornstarch slurry. Simmer and stir for 1–2 minutes until thickened. It will continue to thicken a bit as it cools down.
        Finished Bravas sauce in a pot with a whisk. Overhead focus.
      • Pile baked potatoes on a plate or serving dish.
        Baked potato wedges inn a parchment-lined basket.
      • Spoon over the Bravas sauce. Garnish as you like and serve.
        Overhead view. Patatas Bravas in a parchment-lined basket.

      Notes

      Please note that the nutrition data given here is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 0.25the recipe | Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 522mg | Potassium: 769mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 745IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

      Author: Tiffany McCauley

      Title: Food and Travel Journalist

      Expertise: Food, cooking, travel

      Bio:

      Tiffany McCauley is a nationally syndicated writer and an award-winning cookbook author and food blogger. She has been featured on MSN, Huffington Post, Country Living Magazine, HealthLine, Redbook, and many more. Her food specialty is healthy comfort food recipes.

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