Lebanese Spicy Potatoes – Batata Harra Recipe

Introduction

Lebanese Spicy Potatoes, also known as Batata Harra, are a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring crispy potatoes tossed in aromatic spices and a zesty cilantro-garlic sauce. This recipe is perfect as a side or appetizer that brings a delightful kick to your table.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs potatoes (1 kg), preferably Yukon gold, cut into 1-inch cubes or baby potatoes
• ¾ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 2 Tbsp olive oil (for potato coating)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil (for cilantro sauce)
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped
• ½ tsp paprika (for sauce)
• 1 tsp lemon juice (or to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the potatoes dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel until completely dry. This helps achieve maximum crispiness.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, mix onion powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir in 2 Tbsp olive oil to form a spice paste.
3. Step 3: Add the potatoes to the spice mixture and toss well to coat every piece evenly.
4. Step 4: For air fryer: Lightly oil the air fryer basket using an oil-soaked paper towel or sprayer (avoid aerosol oils).
5. Step 5: Arrange the potatoes evenly in the basket. Air fry at 400°F for 18 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through at 9 minutes to ensure even cooking.
6. Step 6: Check doneness and if desired, air fry for an additional 2 minutes. Transfer cooked potatoes to a serving dish.
7. Step 7: For oven: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with oil.
8. Step 8: Spread potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake 25–30 minutes until golden and easily pierced with a toothpick. Transfer to a serving dish.
9. Step 9: To prepare the cilantro sauce, sauté minced garlic in 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat, taking care not to burn it.
10. Step 10: Lower the heat to low, add cayenne pepper, then stir in chopped cilantro, paprika, and lemon juice. Mix well and remove from heat.
11. Step 11: Pour the cilantro garlic sauce over the cooked potatoes and toss to combine. Serve immediately as a side or appetizer.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, make sure to dry the potatoes thoroughly before coating with spices.
• You can substitute Yukon gold potatoes with red potatoes or fingerlings for different textures.
• Adjust cayenne pepper in the sauce to control the heat level according to your preference.
• Add a sprinkle of sumac or za’atar for an additional layer of Middle Eastern flavor.

Storage

Store leftover potatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the potatoes soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes?

Yes, sweet potatoes work well with this recipe, but they may cook faster and have a softer texture. Adjust cooking times as needed and keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Can I make the cilantro garlic sauce ahead of time?

It’s best to prepare the sauce fresh for optimal flavor and aroma, but you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Reheat gently before tossing with the potatoes.

Lebanese Spicy Potatoes – Batata Harra Recipe

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Lebanese Spicy Potatoes, or Batata Harra, is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring crispy potatoes tossed in a fragrant blend of spices, garlic, and fresh cilantro. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer, this recipe offers two cooking methods—air frying for a quick and healthful option, or baking for a traditional approach—resulting in golden, spicy potatoes with a zesty cilantro garlic sauce.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes air frying or 25-30 minutes baking
• Total Time: 33-45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Lebanese
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Potatoes and Spice Mix

• 2 lbs (1 kg) Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes or baby potatoes
• ¾ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 2 Tbsp olive oil (for spice mix)

Cilantro Garlic Sauce

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp lemon juice, or to taste

Instructions

1. Dry the Potatoes: Pat the 2 lbs potatoes dry thoroughly with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to remove any moisture. This step ensures crispiness.
2. Prepare Spice Paste: In a medium bowl, combine ¾ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper powder, and ½ tsp paprika. Stir in 2 Tbsp olive oil to form a spice paste.
3. Coat Potatoes: Add the dried potatoes to the spice paste and toss until every piece is evenly coated with the mixture.
4. Cooking Method Selection: Choose between air frying or oven baking to cook the potatoes.
5. Air Fryer Basket Preparation: Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil using a paper towel or oil sprayer to prevent sticking. Avoid aerosol sprays to protect the basket coating.
6. Air Fry Potatoes: Place the coated potatoes in the basket in a single layer. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 18 minutes.
7. Shake at Midpoint: At the 9-minute mark, open the basket and shake it well to ensure even cooking. Close and continue air frying.
8. Final Crisping: After 18 minutes, check potatoes for doneness. Toss them again and air fry for an additional 2 minutes if extra crispiness is desired.
9. Oven Preparation: Alternatively, preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly oil the foil.
10. Oven Bake Potatoes: Spread the coated potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden and tender, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick.
11. Prepare Cilantro Garlic Sauce: In a small saucepan, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 tsp minced garlic and sauté gently, avoiding burning.
12. Add Spices and Cilantro: Reduce heat to low. Stir in ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, then add ½ cup chopped cilantro, ½ tsp paprika, and 1 tsp lemon juice. Mix well and remove from heat.
13. Toss Potatoes with Sauce: Transfer the cooked potatoes to a serving dish. Pour the cilantro garlic sauce over the potatoes and toss to coat evenly.
14. Serve: Serve immediately as a spicy, aromatic side dish or appetizer.

Notes

• Drying the potatoes before coating is crucial for crisp texture.
• You can use baby potatoes whole or cut into cubes depending on preference.
• Adjust cayenne pepper in the sauce to control heat level.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, oven baking delivers excellent results.
• Make sure garlic is sautéed gently to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
• Fresh cilantro is key to the authentic flavor profile.

Keywords: Lebanese spicy potatoes, Batata Harra, air fryer potatoes, spicy potato recipe, Lebanese side dish, cilantro garlic sauce, healthy spicy potatoes, vegetarian potatoes