Olive-Oil-Fried Potatoes with Aioli

basket of olive-oil-fried potatoes with aioli
Photo: Johnny Miller
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
4

Dip these fried potato wedges into garlicky aioli for an easy-to-share appetizer inspired by the Spanish tapas dish patatas bravas. Parboiling the sliced-up spuds and letting them dry on a baking sheet before frying in olive oil guarantees a creamy center and crunchy shell.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds russet potatoes (4 medium), scrubbed and cut into 1-inch-thick wedges

  • 2 fresh or dried bay leaves

  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves

  • 1 head garlic, halved crosswise

  • Kosher salt

  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for frying (about 4 cups)

  • Test Kitchen's Favorite Aioli, for serving

Directions

  1. Place potatoes in a large pot with 2 quarts water. Add bay leaves, cloves, garlic, and 2 tablespoons salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-high and cook until potatoes are just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain, then spread out potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet lined with paper towels until dry, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

  2. Fill a heavy medium pot about halfway with oil; heat over medium until a thermometer registers 350°F. Working in batches, add potatoes and fry, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes a batch. (Return oil to 350°F between batches.)

  3. Transfer potatoes to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Serve with aioli.

Cook's Notes

Drying out the potatoes on a baking sheet for at least 30 minutes before frying makes them extra-crispy. Use that time to make the aioli.

Leftover frying oil can be cooled completely, strained through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, and saved for another use.

Cook's Notes

Fill a heavy medium pot about halfway with oil; heat over medium until a thermometer registers 350°F. Working in batches, add potatoes and fry, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes a batch. (Return oil to 350° between batches.)

Cook's Notes

Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Serve with aioli. (Oil can be allowed to cool completely, strained through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth, and saved for another use.)

Related Articles