Papas Rellenas Recipe

Papas Rellenas are a classic Latin American dish featuring crispy potato balls stuffed with a savory, flavorful filling. With their golden crust and tender, spiced interior, they’re perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main dish. Whether you’re hosting a party or looking for comfort food, these stuffed potatoes are sure to impress.

My first experience with Papas Rellenas was during a family trip to Puerto Rico. The crispy exterior and the flavorful beef filling won me over instantly. Inspired, I recreated the recipe at home, and it quickly became a favorite. My husband loves dipping them in salsa, while my daughter calls them “potato surprises.” They’re now a must-have at our family gatherings!

Why You’ll Love Papas Rellenas

•Golden and Crispy: A perfect crunchy exterior that gives way to a tender filling.

•Customizable: Fill them with beef, chicken, or even vegetarian options.

•Perfect for Any Occasion: Great as appetizers, snacks, or a unique main dish.

•Freezer-Friendly: Make ahead and fry when needed.

Ingredients Notes For Papas Rellenas

•Potatoes: Starchy potatoes like Russets are ideal for a smooth, mashable texture.

•Filling: Traditionally ground beef spiced with onions, garlic, cumin, and paprika.

•Eggs: Help bind the potato dough and coat the balls for frying.

•Breadcrumbs: For a crispy coating; panko works well for extra crunch.

•Oil: Neutral oil like vegetable or canola for frying.

•Optional Add-Ins: Raisins, olives, or hard-boiled egg pieces for a traditional touch.

Recipe Steps

1.Prepare Potatoes: Peel and boil potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain and mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.

2.Make Filling: In a skillet, heat oil and sauté onions and garlic until fragrant. Add ground beef, cumin, paprika, and salt. Cook until browned and fully cooked. Stir in raisins or olives if using. Let cool.

3.Assemble Papas Rellenas: Take a scoop of mashed potatoes, flatten it into a disc, and place a spoonful of filling in the center. Gently fold the edges over the filling and shape into a ball. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

4.Coat for Frying: Dip each potato ball in beaten egg, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat evenly.

5.Fry: Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F. Fry the potato balls in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.

6.Serve: Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as salsa, aioli, or chimichurri.

Storage Options

•Refrigerator: Store cooked Papas Rellenas in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for crispiness.

•Freezer: Freeze assembled (uncooked) balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Fry from frozen or thaw slightly before frying.

Variations & Substitutions

•Use shredded chicken or pulled pork as a filling.

•Make them vegetarian with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or cheese.

•Add a touch of chili powder or cayenne for a spicy kick.

Papas Rellenas Recipe

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Course: Appetizer, Main Dish

Kitchen: Latin American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

 

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• ▢ For the Potato Dough:
• ▢ 2 lbs russet potatoes peeled and cut into chunks
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ For the Filling:
• ▢ 1/2 lb ground beef or ground pork
• ▢ 1/4 cup onion finely diced
• ▢ 1/4 cup green bell pepper finely diced
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 1/4 cup raisins optional
• ▢ 1/4 cup green olives chopped (optional)
• ▢ For Frying:
• ▢ 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 2 large eggs beaten
• ▢ 1 cup breadcrumbs
• ▢ Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

• Prepare the Potatoes:
• Boil and Mash: Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth.
• Season and Cool: Stir in the egg, salt, and pepper. Allow the mashed potatoes to cool enough to handle.
• Make the Filling:
• Cook the Meat: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef or pork and cook until browned.
• Add Vegetables: Stir in the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
• Season: Add the tomato sauce, cumin, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in raisins and olives, if desired. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
• Assemble the Papas Rellenas:
• Form the Shells: Take a handful of the cooled mashed potatoes and flatten it into a disk in your hand. Add a spoonful of the meat filling to the center. Fold the edges over the filling and shape into a ball or oval, fully enclosing the filling. Repeat with remaining potatoes and filling.
• Coat and Fry:
• Prepare Coating: Set up three bowls for dredging: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
• Coat: Roll each stuffed potato ball in flour, dip it into the beaten eggs, and then coat with breadcrumbs.
• Fry: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the potato balls in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.