How to Make Perfect Papas Bravas: Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer Techniques for Crispy Potatoes

Name: Papas Bravas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Spanish Cuisine

Slow Cooker Papas Bravas: How to Make Tender Potatoes with a Crispy Finish

Use the slow cooker to cook the potatoes with a bit of broth and seasoning. This softens the potatoes before crisping them up. Once cooked, drain and crisp them in the air fryer or on the stovetop for a perfectly tender interior and crunchy exterior.

Instant Pot Papas Bravas: Steam and Crisp Potatoes Quickly for the Perfect Golden Crunch

Use the Instant Pot’s "steam" function to cook your potatoes quickly while keeping them firm. After steaming, cut them into cubes, and use the "saute" or "air crisp" function to give them a golden, crispy finish—ideal for Papas Bravas.

Air Fryer Papas Bravas: Achieve Crispy, Oil-Free Potatoes in Less Time

After seasoning and prepping the potatoes, use the air fryer’s "air crisp" function to cook them. The air fryer provides a crisp and crunchy texture without needing to submerge the potatoes in oil, making it a healthier and faster option for your Papas Bravas.

Tips and Suggestions on Papas Bravas

Perfecting the texture of the potatoes

The texture of the potatoes is essential for achieving delicious Papas Bravas. The potatoes should be cut to an appropriate size and fried at the right temperature to be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Making the Bravas sauce

Bravas sauce is a key element of Papas Bravas and requires a delicate balance of tomatoes, vinegar, and spices, such as paprika. Getting the right balance of flavors and consistency can be challenging, as the sauce should not be too thin or too thick.

Adding the sauce

Once the sauce is made, it's important to add it to the potatoes at the right time. Adding the sauce too early can result in soggy potatoes, while adding it too late can make the sauce too thick.

Finding the right spices

Finding the right balance of spices is important for Papas Bravas, and people's preferences can vary. Some may prefer a spicier flavor with plenty of paprika, while others may prefer milder flavors.

Presentation

The presentation of Papas Bravas can often be overlooked, but it can make a huge difference in the overall dish. It's important to layer the potatoes and sauce on the plate to ensure each potato is fully coated, and to use fresh herbs to garnish the dish.

Classic Papas Bravas Recipe

                        Ingredients
                        8 medium potatoes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

                    

                        Instructions
                        Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
                            
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper,
                                salt, and pepper. Drizzle the mixture over the potatoes and toss to coat evenly.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are golden brown and crispy. Flip the
                                potatoes once halfway through baking to ensure even cooking.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!

                    

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 10 min

Cook Time 25 min

Total time 35 min

                        Nutrition Facts
                        Calories: 220
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 38 g
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 2 g
Protein: 4 g

                    

Variations for Papas Bravas

Vegan Chorizo Papas Bravas

This version is made with spicy vegan chorizo, crispy potatoes, smoky paprika, and creamy romesco sauce, a plant-based twist on traditional tapas.

Patatas Bravas with Chorizo (Vegan Version)

Hasselback Papas Bravas

This version is made with Hasselback potatoes, perfectly crispy and tender, drizzled with spicy tomato sauce and topped with fresh herbs for added flavor.

Hasselback Patatas Bravas

Chicken With Papas Bravas

This version is made with tender chicken seared to perfection, served alongside crispy papas bravas, and drizzled with zesty aioli for a delightful fusion.

Smoky Spanish-Style Chicken With Patatas Bravas

Fish with Papas Bravas

This version is made with flaky white fish, expertly seasoned and pan-seared, accompanied by crispy papas bravas and a tangy garlic sauce.

Spanish roasted fish with patatas bravas recipe

Octopus with Papas Bravas

This version is made with tender octopus, grilled to perfection, served alongside golden papas bravas and topped with a zesty chimichurri sauce.

Octopus with Watercress Salsa Verde and Papas Bravas

Shrimp with Papas Bravas

This version is made with succulent shrimp, sautéed with garlic and spices, paired with crispy papas bravas and a flavorful aioli dipping sauce.

Smoky Shrimp & Patatas Bravas Platter

Loaded Papas Bravas

This version is made with crispy papas bravas generously topped with melted cheese, spicy chorizo, fresh avocado, and drizzled with tangy aioli.

Loaded Patatas Bravas

Traditional Papas Bravas