Crispy and Spicy Lebanese Potatoes (Batata Harra)
These Crispy Spicy Potatoes are a take on the Lebanese dish, Batata Harra, which is potatoes that have been seasoned with spices like coriander, chilies, cumin, and garlic. The result is crispy potatoes with a delicious, spicy flavor. Spicy potatoes can be served as a side dish with any meal you would normally serve potatoes with. Whether you have them alongside hamburgers or a pita filled with kofta, you will love these potatoes with their vibrant flavor and fiery color.
Making these spicy potatoes is extremely easy and you will likely want to add them into your dinner rotation on a weekly basis. All you have to do is parboil wedges of potatoes before tossing them with the garlic, olive oil, paprika, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and pepper until combined. Then, they get roasted until they are crispy before being garnished with parsley and lemon juice. The combination of spices and tangy lemon makes these potatoes an enjoyable side dish with any meal.
What are Lebanese Spicy Potatoes?
This spicy potato recipe is inspired by Batata Harra, a spicy Lebanese potato dish. These potatoes are bursting with the flavors of varying spices like coriander, cumin, chili pepper, red peppers, and garlic.
There are a few methods for making spicy potatoes in Lebanon. These include double frying the potatoes, boiling and then frying the potatoes, or roasting the potatoes and then tossing them with the seasonings. The most common method for preparing these potatoes in Lebanon is the double fry method. The process of making this spicy potato recipe is a little different as it involves parboiling the potatoes before tossing them with the seasonings and roasting them in the oven.
These potatoes are often served as a side dish or stuffed in pita. Their crispy texture and spicy flavor makes them a particularly good accompaniment to any roasted meat, kabobs, steak, or hamburgers.
Pro Tips
- Make sure you choose potatoes that will hold their shape through both boiling and roasting. Yukon gold is a wonderful choice.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to how spicy you like your food.
- Turning the potatoes halfway through the cooking process will ensure that the potatoes cook evenly and crisp up.
- Don’t overcrowd the potatoes. Using a large baking sheet will ensure that there is some space between each piece of potato so that they can roast evenly and become crispy.
- If you don’t have any parsley, feel free to garnish your potatoes with finely chopped cilantro instead.
- The spices can be changed up according to your tastes. If you prefer an herbed potato with garlic, choose dried thyme, dried rosemary, dried oregano, and garlic to put on your potatoes and simply use the same method that these spicy potatoes call for.
- If you notice the potatoes drying out too much in the oven, you can add a little more olive oil to ensure they crisp up nicely.
What to Serve with Spicy Potatoes?
These spicy potatoes can be served with any meal you would normally have potatoes or French fries with. However, they make a particularly good accompaniment to a Middle Eastern-inspired plate with pita, beef kabobs, tabbouleh, falafel, baba ganoush, and more.
Can You Make Spicy Potatoes Ahead of Time?
While you certainly could, they are best served as soon as they are made as they will lose their crispness as they cool. However, if you would like to make them ahead of the time when you plan to serve them, you could re-crisp them in the oven or in an air fryer.
How Can I Make These Spicy Potatoes More Spicy?
If you would like to make even spicier potatoes, you can use even more chili powder. Alternatively, feel free to add other spicy ingredients like harissa or crushed red pepper flakes to the potatoes.
What are the Best Potatoes for Roasting?
The best potatoes to use for these spicy roasted potatoes are ones that will hold their shape during the cooking process. As a result, Yukon Gold, Russets, and red potatoes are all good choices.
Are These Lebanese Spicy Potatoes Gluten Free?
Yes, these potatoes are gluten-free, as the recipe uses only potatoes, spices, olive oil, garlic, and herbs—all naturally gluten-free ingredients.
Are These Lebanese Spicy Potatoes Vegan?
Yes, these potatoes are vegan. The recipe contains only plant-based ingredients like potatoes, spices, olive oil, garlic, and herbs, making it fully vegan-friendly.
More Spicy Potatoes Recipes You Can Try!
How to Store Lebanese Spicy Potatoes
If you have any leftover potatoes, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. To reheat them, you can re-crisp them in the oven or in an air fryer so that they have a similar texture as when you first made them.
If you would like to store the potatoes for longer, you can place them in a sealable bag in the freezer. They should keep for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Ingredients
How to Make Spicy Potatoes
Preheat the oven to 190°C (374°F). Cut the potatoes into wedges.
Preheat the oven to 190°C (374°F). Cut the potatoes into wedges.
Boil the potatoes for 10 minutes; drain and place in a bowl.
Boil the potatoes for 10 minutes; drain and place in a bowl.
Toss the potatoes with the garlic, paprika, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, coriander, salt, pepper, and olive oil, and toss until combined.
Toss the potatoes with the garlic, paprika, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, coriander, salt, pepper, and olive oil, and toss until combined.
Arrange the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer; roast for 50 minutes, turning the potatoes halfway during the roasting time.
Arrange the potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer; roast for 50 minutes, turning the potatoes halfway during the roasting time.
Arrange the spicy potatoes on a platter and garnish them with the parsley and lemon juice.
Arrange the spicy potatoes on a platter and garnish them with the parsley and lemon juice.
Serve immediately!
Serve immediately!
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