Batata Harra is a Lebanese spicy potato dish. Very popular in the Middle East, you can easily make it at home with ingredients that you already have in your kitchen. The result is melt in your mouth potatoes tossed in spice, garlic, and cilantro!

What is Batata Harra?
Batata Harra literally translated to “spicy potatoes” in Arabic. It’s a dish that almost always makes an appearance on Lebanese restaurants’ menus and a very popular Middle Eastern appetizer. Also often found under the name “Lebanese potatoes”, or “spicy potatoes”.
Potatoes are either deep-fried or roasted until crispy from the outside, but fluffy on the inside. Then tossed in a spicy cilantro garlic sauce, and finished off with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. So here’s an authentic batata harra recipe that you’re going to love!
The Ingredients
To make this simple potato dish, you will need the following ingredients:
How to Make Batata Harra
Traditionally, the potato cubes are deep-fried until crispy, then they’re drained from excess oil on paper towels. And then, they’re shallow fried with garlic, spices, and fresh cilantro leaves.
To make this recipe a little healthier and easier to make, I go for roasting (as many people do in the Middle East).
To make batata harra, peel, wash, and cube the potatoes into ¾ inch pieces.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out the potato, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast until fork-tender, and golden brown and crispy (about 40 minutes flipping halfway through).
As the potatoes are being roasted, make the sauce. Heat olive oil, saute minced garlic, then add in the paprika, red chili flakes, and cilantro leaves. Fry for a minute then remove from heat.
When the potatoes are ready, toss them in the garlic cilantro mixture and serve. Garnish with chopped cilantro leaves. And there you have it, perfectly cooked and seasoned spicy potatoes!
Top Tips for Lebanese Potatoes
- Choose the right type of potatoes – any potato that works well for roasting, works well in this recipe. I recommend Russets or Yukon Golds if you’re in the US, Maris Piper or King Edward if you’re in the UK, and Dutch Cream in Australia.
- Choose the right type of oil – if you go for the frying method, fry in a high smoke point oil such as corn, peanut, grapeseed, or vegetable oil.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet – if the potato cubes are too close to each other, or are put in layers, they will steam rather than roast, and won’t crisp up.
- For extra crispy potatoes – turn them in the baking sheet halfway through the cooking time.
- Adjust heat level to your preference – you can add more or less chili flakes, you can even use fresh minced chili, cayenne powder, or chili powder if you like.
Serving Ideas
Batata Harra is usually served as a part of a mezze feast. Serve it along with hummus, ful mudammes, Baba Ganoush, Muhammara, Tabouleh salad, falafel, and freshly baked pita bread.
It’s also great when served with barbecued or grilled meats and chicken.
Have leftovers? Serve in warm pita pockets for a quick spicy potato wrap, or wrap in tortillas for potato tacos.
Have it for breakfast, just crack a couple of eggs, and there you have it, spicy potatoes and eggs for breakfast!
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend that you use fresh cilantro leaves as the freshness of the cilantro adds a lot to the flavor. But it can definitely be substituted with dried cilantro.
I don’t recommend making it ahead of time as the potatoes won’t be as crispy, and the crispiness is what makes these potatoes so special. But you can definitely make the cilantro sauce ahead of time, and toss in the potatoes once they’re roasted.
Other Unique Potato Recipes
- Southern Smothered Potatoes
- Greek Briam Vegetable Bake
- Vegan Potato Cakes with Carrot and Rice
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Batata Harra
Recipe Video
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Tongs or spatula
- Paper Towels or wire rack
- Citrus juicer (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds (900 g) potatoes peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil for roasting
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Cilantro Sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika please specify sweet or smoked
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves about ½ cup loosely packed
- ½ lemon juiced (about 1 tablespoon)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In mixing bowl, toss potato cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Spread potatoes in a single layer on prepared sheet. Roast for 40 minutes, flipping once halfway, until crisp and tender.
- (Optional frying method) Pat potatoes dry. Heat 1 inch oil in skillet to 350 °F (180 °C). Fry potatoes in batches for 15 minutes or until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Make sauce: In a skillet over medium-low heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add garlic and chili flakes; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in paprika and cilantro leaves. Add roasted potatoes; toss with tongs until well coated.
- Transfer to serving dish. Garnish with extra cilantro and drizzle lemon juice over potatoes. Serve hot.
Notes:
- Any potato that roasts well works here. I recommend Russets or Yukon Golds in the US, Maris Piper or King Edward in the UK, or Dutch Cream in Australia.
- For the frying method, use a high smoke point oil such as corn, peanut, grapeseed, or vegetable oil.
- Do not overcrowd the baking sheet; potatoes will steam instead of crisping.
- For extra crispiness, turn the potatoes halfway through the baking time.
- Adjust the heat by varying chili flakes to your taste, or substitute fresh minced chili, cayenne powder, or chili powder.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
This recipe first appeared on Little Sunny Kitchen on May 16, 2017. It was updated in October, 2020 with new images and more info. The recipe remained the same.
Lisa says
Hi, would you use smoked or sweet paprika for this recipe? I have both!
Diana says
Hi Lisa, I usually use sweet paprika in this recipe but smoked paprika would also be delicious!
Linda says
These are outstandingly delicious! It’s better than most Lebanese restos. If you enjoy great tasting potatoes, this is the recipe for you.
John Purdue says
The ingredients do not show the basic quantities required for making g this dish!!
Diana says
Everything is shown in the recipe card, it’s right above the comments box.
Mercedez says
Very easy but taste delicious
Zaher says
perfect