Patatas Bravas, or native Spanish tapas dish, is one of the most universally loved. There isn’t really anything to turn your nose up to when talking about fried potatoes, a delicious and slightly spicy tomato sauce, and sometimes a little aioli, too. The flavors of the dish are warm, savory, and a little bit smokey from the paprika in the sauce and it all comes together just beautifully for all to enjoy! So, of course, I had to create Whole30 Patatas Bravas!
After weeks and weeks of trying to perfect a bravas sauce, I am so excited to finally share this delicious and Whole30 compliant recipe. I’ve used an Air Fryer to execute the delicious, crispy potatoes…but I’ve also included an oven-roasted rendition if you haven’t purchased an air fryer yet. I do love mine and highly recommend it!
If you are a lover of Spanish tapas and patatas bravas, give this Whole30 version a try! I think you’ll just love it! You’ll likely have some bravas sauce leftover. I love cooking white flakey fish in the sauce and having it for dinner the next day 🙂
My love for Patatas Bravas {and Spanish tapas in general} started with my time studying abroad in Spain. Learn more about my Sevilla travels and favorite spots here!
Whole30 Patatas Bravas

Ingredients
For the Potatoes:
- 2 lbs russet potatoes scrubbed and cut into 1 inch cubes
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
For the Bravas Sauce:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp cayenne (optional)
- 4 whole tomatoes (from the can. Preferably San Marzano) + 1/4 cup of the juice from the can
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
Garlic Aioli:
- 1/2 cup homemade mayo
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- If you are using the Oven Roasted Potato method, please *see notes and do that step first. If you are using the Air Fryer method, you can do that step after the bravas sauce as I have provided below.
Make the Bravas Sauce:
- Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onions are just tender, about 4 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, smoked paprika, paprika, and cayenne pepper and continue to cook, stirring, until the spices are very fragrant and toasted, about 2 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes, the juice from the tomatoes, chicken broth, and vinegar to the skillet and bring the contents to a rapid simmer. Cooking, simmering and stirring often, until the tomatoes are fall apart tender and the flavors have melded, about 10 minutes.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the bravas sauce until smooth. Alternatively, you can transfer the sauce into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer back to the skillet and keep on low, uncovered, to stay warm, stirring occasionally.
For the Air Fryer Potatoes:
- Toss the potatoes with the olive oil, salt and pepper and toss until evenly coated.
- Preheat the airfryer at 400 for at least 5 minutes. Place the potatoes in an even layer (depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in 2 batches, so as to not to overcrowd the unit) and cook at 400 degrees until the potatoes are cooked through and golden brown on the edges, 10-12 minutes, tossing halfway through the cook time.
Meanwhile, make the aioli:
- Combine homemade mayo with garlic and stir to combine. Add salt, to taste. Set aside.
Serve it up:
- Place the patatas bravas on a platter. Drizzle with bravas sauce, then drizzle with the garlic aioli. Garnish with flakey salt (like maldon, if desired). Serve and enjoy!!!
5 Comments
Amanda Blank
January 17, 2022 at 2:39 amLoved these patatas bravas! I would leave them in the oven a little longer/crank up the heat if you want a crispier potato. So yummy!
Caitlin
January 16, 2022 at 4:15 pmThese are ABSOLUTELY delicious! I added microgreens when I served them. And I also added a dash of lemon juice to the garlic sauce. I cannot get over how amazing the sauce combo is, too.
Julia
August 6, 2021 at 12:39 amCould you make the sauce ahead of time, say the night before, and reheat it when you air fry the potatoes the next day?
Kay
January 30, 2021 at 7:18 pmWe made this last night and it was amazing. Not too complicated but so flavorful. We will definitely be making again soon!!
Sam
January 29, 2021 at 11:01 pmI’ve made this multiple times and it always hits the spot! This is such a flavorful dish and not your everyday fried potatoes. Thanks, Alex!