This Papas Rellenas recipe is a delicious air-fried stuffed potato ball filled with beef, onions, and spices with a crunchy breadcrumb shell!
If you are a fan of this recipe, you should try our other delicious Puerto Rican Dishes such as, Puerto Rican Empanadas, Puerto Rican Pernil, or Puerto Rican Picadillo which would all pair well with this dish! These Papas Rellenas or Fried Stuffed Potatoes are the perfect appetizer or side dish for any occasion!
Traditionally, these stuffed potatoes are fried in oil, which is still an option if you prefer. However, making them in the air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to deep frying. Plus, it eliminates grease splatter in the kitchen. That’s a win in my book! If you’re in the market for an air fryer, I highly recommend this Air Fryer.
What are Papas Rellenas?
Papas Rellenas are a popular Latin American dish made from mashed potatoes. A savory filling, typically consisting of ground beef, onions, garlic, and spices, stuffs them. The stuffed potatoes are then shaped into balls, coated in bread crumbs, and fried until crispy and golden brown.
Papas Rellenas are commonly served as a snack or appetizer. They are a popular street food in Puerto Rico and many Latin American countries, including Peru, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
Why We Love This Recipe
- They are delicious!
- The crispy exterior and soft potato interior offer a delightful contrast in every bite. It’s a textural adventure that never gets old.
- I adore how this dish allows me to experiment with various fillings, letting me express my creativity in the kitchen.
Recipe Ingredients
- Large potatoes: Starchy varieties like Yukon Gold or russet potatoes are indispensable for creating a creamy, comforting filling. For those who can’t get enough of potatoes, explore my potato frittata recipe.
- Green bell pepper: It adds a fresh and vibrant dimension to the filling.
- Ground beef: As the main protein, it brings heartiness and savory flavor to the dish.
- Tomato paste: Plays a vital role in binding the ingredients and infusing a rich, flavor into the filling.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Vegetarian Delight: Replace meat with a flavorful mix of lentils, vegetables, and spices for a satisfying vegetarian Papas Rellenas.
- Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate Mediterranean flavors by filling potato balls with a blend of spices, olives, and roasted vegetables for a unique twist on Papas Rellenas.
- Vegan Innovation: Craft vegan Papas Rellenas with a plant-based filling, such as mushrooms, tofu, and vibrant vegetables, all wrapped in a crispy potato crust.
How To Make Papas Rellenas
Step #1: Place the potatoes into a large pot covered with water and add a little salt. Bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender, which should be about 20 minutes.
Step #2: Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool for a minute or two. Move the potatoes to a large bowl. Then, add ½ teaspoon salt and mash until no lumps remain. Set them aside to cool to room temperature.
Step #3: Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, green pepper, and garlic into the hot pan and stir while cooking until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add in the ground beef.
Step #4: Continue stirring and cook the beef until it is well-crumbled and no longer pink. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, cumin, pepper, tomato paste, and vinegar until the tomato paste has dissolved. Transfer the beef mixture to a mixing bowl and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Step #5: Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside. Once the potatoes and beef have cooled, add one egg into the mashed potatoes and mix well.
Step #6: Place two eggs in a shallow dish, scramble, and set aside.
Step #7: Pour the breadcrumbs into a shallow dish, mix them with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and then set them aside.
Step #8: Next, form the potato balls by taking a small ball of mashed potatoes, roughly a heaping tablespoon in size. Roll it into a ball and flatten it into a round disk in your hand, using a little water as needed to prevent sticking.
Step #9: Place a little of the beef mixture into the middle of the potato ball, making sure you have enough potato to wrap around the beef. Form the potato mixture around the beef mixture by lifting up the edges and pushing them to the middle so they will meet at the top and cover the beef mixture.
Step #10: After fully covering the meat mixture, gently roll the ball in your hands to form a nice round shape. Dip the ball into the beaten egg. Make sure it’s fully coated and allow any excess egg to drip off. Then gently roll it in the breadcrumbs, fully coating it in the breadcrumbs. Place the breaded potato balls on the prepared baking sheet. Continue to make and bread the rest.
Step #11: To cook, preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Place a single layer of potato balls in the air fryer with some space in between, and cook for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Repeat the process as needed to cook all the potato balls to perfection.
Step #12: Optionally, chop the cilantro leaves finely and sprinkle over the top as garnish. Serve warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Use starchy potatoes: It’s best to use starchy potato varieties like Russet or Yukon Gold, as they will result in a fluffier and smoother texture.
- Preparation Tip: Make sure to cool both the potatoes and the filling to room temperature. This will make it easier to handle and shape the papas rellenas.
- Air fry in batches: When air frying the papas rellenas, it’s advisable to do it in batches to allow enough room between them for even cooking.
- Serve with a dipping sauce: Typically, people serve Papas rellenas with a spicy dipping sauce like ají sauce to add a delicious kick of flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
People make Papas Rellenas by stuffing and deep-frying mashed potato balls, creating a popular Latin American dish.
Believed to have originated in Spain, various Latin American cuisines commonly feature these savory snacks today.
The filling can vary but often includes a mixture of ground meat, spices, and sometimes vegetables or eggs.
People typically serve them as a snack or appetizer, and they may accompany them with dipping sauces or salsa.
Yes, you can make vegetarian or vegan versions by using plant-based ingredients like tofu, mushrooms, or lentils for the filling, and substituting eggs with suitable alternatives.
Storage info
Store the potato balls in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge. For reheating, reheat them in an air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes until warmed through. Note that some crispiness may be lost. While freezing isn’t ideal due to air frying, you can store them for up to a week in an airtight container if necessary.
Papas Rellenas Recipe
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes (starchy variety of potatoes like russet or Yukon Gold work best) - peeled and cubed
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt - divided
- 4 Tablespoons vegetable oil - divided
- ½ cup chopped sweet yellow onion
- 1 green bell pepper - chopped
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon distilled white vinegar
- 3 large eggs - divided
- 2 cups dry breadcrumbs
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with water and add a little salt. Bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender, which should be about 20 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and allow them to cool for a minute or two. Move the potatoes to a large bowl and add ½ teaspoon salt and mash until no lumps remain. Set them aside to cool to room temperature.
- Heat the 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a large pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, green pepper, and garlic into the hot pan and stir while cooking until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add in the ground beef.
- Continue stirring and cook the beef until it is well crumbled and no longer pink. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt, cumin, pepper, tomato paste, and vinegar until the tomato paste has dissolved. Transfer the beef mixture into a mixing bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and set aside. Once the potatoes and beef have cooled, add one egg into the mashed potatoes and mix well.
- Place two eggs in a shallow dish, scramble, and set aside.
- Pour the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish, mix them with 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil, and then set them aside.
- Next, form the potato balls by taking a small ball of mashed potatoes, roughly a heaping tablespoon in size. Roll it into a ball and flatten it into a round disk in your hand, using a little water as needed to prevent sticking.
- Place a little of the beef mixture into the middle of the potato ball, making sure you have enough potato to wrap around the beef. Form the potato mixture around the beef mixture by lifting up the edges and pushing them to the middle so they will meet at the top and cover the beef mixture.
- After the meat mixture is fully covered, gently roll the ball in your hands to form a nice round ball. Dip the ball into the beaten egg so that it is fully covered in the egg, let any excess egg drip off, then gently roll in the breadcrumbs so that it is fully covered in breadcrumbs. Place the breaded potato balls on the prepared baking sheet. Continue making and breading the rest.
- To cook, preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Place a single layer of potato balls in the air fryer with some space in between, and cook for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Repeat the process as needed to cook all the potato balls to perfection.
- Optionally, chop the cilantro leaves finely and sprinkle over the top as garnish. Serve warm and enjoy!
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Nutrition
