Batata Harra (Lebanese Spicy Potatoes)

Batata Harra is a deliciously spicy potato dish popular throughout the Middle East. It's naturally vegan and an incredible way to enjoy roasted potatoes because they're positively full of flavor!

I'm a massive fan of potatoes, and I like to cook them in so many different ways. Since I've ever first tasted it, batata harra has quickly become one of my favorites.

I like them on their own or with a simple salad on the side, but they also work great as a side dish for vegan meatballs or sausages.

What is batata harra?

Batata harra is a Lebanese dish that literally translates to "spicy potatoes" and is a popular side dish in Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East.

It's often served as a mezze, or appetizer, alongside other Lebanese dishes such as hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush.

These Lebanese spicy potatoes are just perfect for those days when you want to jazz up your potato game a bit.

They start as plain roasted potatoes but quickly become so much more than that when paired with spices, lemon juice and fresh herbs.

Why you'll love batata harra

• Complex and delicious flavors - Since it's made with a variety of spices and herbs, batata harra is incredibly flavorful.
• Super easy to make - All you have to do is roast some potatoes, then toss them with olive oil, spices, fresh herbs and lemon juice.
• Budget-friendly - All the ingredients in this dish are relatively inexpensive and readily available.

Ingredients and substitutions

Potatoes - Russet potatoes are best for batata harra because they are firm and hold their shape well. Other good choices are Yukon Gold or red potatoes.

In the UK, Maris Piper and King Edward are both great for this skillet potato recipe.

Make sure you cut the potatoes into even chunks, so they cook evenly.

Olive oil - Use the best quality olive oil you can because it really makes a difference.

Garlic - Freshly crushed garlic is a must in this recipe.

Red pepper flakes - Batata harra is supposed to be a spicy dish but feel free to adjust the quantity to your liking. Cayenne pepper is another good option here.

Paprika + ground cumin - This combination of spices adds warmth and just a bit of smokiness to the potatoes.

Fresh cilantro + parsley - I like to make batata harra with a mix of fresh cilantro and parsley, but you can use just one or the other if you like.

Lemon - Some freshly squeezed lime juice brightens up the dish and infuses it with extra flavor.

How to make batata harra

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the potato cubes on the baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Toss well and roast in the oven for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. The potatoes should be fork-tender and a bit crispy on the outside.

Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan and heat over low-medium heat.

Add the minced garlic and red chili flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often to prevent the garlic from burning. Next, add the paprika and ground cumin.

Add the roasted potatoes to the pan and toss until they're well coated.

Stir in the fresh parsley and cilantro (coriander) together with the fresh lemon juice.

Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately, with some extra fresh cilantro or parsley on top if you like.

Leftovers and storage

• Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• Reheat batata harra in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. You can also do it in the microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
• I don't recommend freezing this potato dish because the texture will be different when thawed.

Recipe notes and tips

• Don't overcrowd the baking sheet when roasting the potatoes because you want them to have enough room to become slightly crispy.
• You can also deep-fry the potatoes instead of roasting them in the oven. You can then move them to a skillet and continue with the rest of the instructions.
• Add other vegetables to the batata harra, such as onions, peppers, or tomatoes.
• You can also stir in some tomato paste with the garlic for extra color and flavor.

If you liked this batata harra recipe, you might also like some of my other easy vegan recipes with potatoes:

• Potato Kale Soup
• Cajun Bean and Potato Stew
• Aloo Gobi Matar (Potato Cauliflower and Pea Curry)
• Easy Vegan Potato Soup
• Skordalia Recipe (Greek Potato Garlic Dip)

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