With a long history and numerous recipes, patatas bravas are a well-known dish in Spanish cuisine and are gluten-free. However, the conventional method of frying potatoes in hot oil can be less healthy and more difficult. For this reason, more and more people are choosing to fry their patatas bravas in air fryers.
Origin of patatas bravas.
A popular tapa in bars and restaurants throughout Spain is patatas bravas, a traditional Spanish dish, but the origins of patatas bravas are a bit confusing; most sources agree that it was in Madrid in the 20th century.
It is believed that patatas bravas originated as a quick and easy appetizer to serve to hungry patrons in the city’s bars and taverns. Over time, additional ingredients and spices were added to the recipe, which was originally just a chutney poured over mashed potatoes.
The classic patatas bravas recipe has many variations, but generally requires that the cubed potatoes are fried in hot oil and then covered in a spicy tomato sauce and spices. The patatas bravas can also be served with aioli, a garlic sauce, or a mixture of the two sauces.
whatWhy make patatas bravas in an air fryer?
Because they cook food with hot air instead of oil, air fryers are a great substitute for conventional deep fryers. This means that delicious fried foods can still be enjoyed without adding extra fat. Additionally, air fryers are more convenient for cooking at home because they are easier to clean than conventional fryers.
You can easily regulate the ingredients and the amount of salt and spices used when preparing patatas bravas in a deep fryer, which is another benefit. When preparing meals at home, the recipe can be changed to suit individual taste preferences and improve the nutritional value of the dish.
Making patatas bravas in an air fryer is a healthier and easier way to enjoy this popular Spanish dish. Plus, the recipe is easily adaptable to meet personal taste preferences and make the dish even healthier. And while the exact story behind patatas bravas remains a bit uncertain, it’s safe to say that this delicious dish has made its mark on Spanish cuisine and gained a following around the world.
Recipe to prepare patatas bravas with Spanish sauce
Ingredients for the patatas bravas
Portion for 2 people with a total of 240 kcal.
- 3 large potatoes
- 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
- Extra virgin olive oil, salt and black pepper to taste.
Ingredients for the Spanish sauce
Portion for a jar with a total of 525 kcal.
- 700g Perini tomatoes
- 100 g white onion
- 5g granulated sugar
- 10g garlic
- 5 g cayenne pepper to taste or optional
- 5 g of sweet paprika
- 5 g of hot paprika
- 2 g black pepper
- 10 g apple cider vinegar or sherry vinegar
- 30 g of extra virgin olive oil
- 5g of salt
How to prepare Patatas Bravas
- Peel the potatoes and cut them first in half and then into cubes. Place them in a container with cold water for 30 minutes.
- Drain the water, dry the potatoes and season them with the turmeric powder, oil, salt and pepper. Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket and cook at 200°C for approximately 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.
- Arrange the potatoes on a paper towel-lined plate next to a bowl of Nettle Aioli sauce, and finish the dish with a pinch of salt over the potatoes.
How to prepare the brava sauce
- Cut the onion into cubes and mince the garlic. Cut the tomatoes into cubes.
- Heat a pot with olive oil and fry the garlic and onion with a pinch of salt, until the onion is translucent.
- Add all the spices and sugar, fry for 2 minutes, then add the tomatoes.
- Once the tomatoes are soft, add the sherry or apple cider vinegar and finish cooking.
- Using a hand blender, blend the sauce, then pass it through a sieve to remove any skins and seeds from the tomatoes.
- Let the sauce cool and store it in a jar in the refrigerator.
