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04 September 2026Latest Articles
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The Stove

Home Fried Potatoes: Malaga Style. Get our Tasty Recipe!

One of our favorite Malaga style potato recipes has to be papas a lo pobre, or poor man's potatoes!

By Food DeskSpain3 min read
Home Fried Potatoes: Malaga Style. Get our Tasty Recipe!
Ingredients · Servings 4
  • olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 4-6 medium sized potatoes (peeled and thinly sliced)
  • 2 onions (diced)
  • 2 green peppers (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • salt (to taste)
  • pepper (to taste)
Method · 20 min
  1. Pour a good amount of olive oil into a skillet and place over medium heat. Add the potatoes and cook until they begin to soften, stirring them frequently so they don't brown.
  2. When the potatoes begin to soften, add the green peppers, onions, and garlic and cook until soft, stirring frequently.
  3. Drain the excess olive oil, then add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Serve and enjoy as a side dish!

I find these to be similar to the home fries I grew up eating at brunch in the United States. These thinly sliced potatoes are cooked with onion and green pepper for a wonderful flavor! Love Spanish potato recipes?

Try these recipes for cod and potato stew, Spanish tortilla, and Canarian papas arrugadas.

Introduction

Papas a lo pobre, or "poor man's potatoes" is a humble dish from Spain that's become one of my favorite potato recipes!

This recipe is based on the traditional one from Malaga, and is a perfect side dish when served with fried eggs. Grab a few simple ingredients, and get ready to enjoy this mouthwatering comfort food!

Ingredients

Wondering what ingredients you need to make papas a lo pobre? Fortunately, nothing fancy!

Here's the most important ingredients.

  • Potatoes: I recommend using a firm, waxy potato for this recipe so they won't fall apart during the cooking process.
  • Vegetables: A combination of onion, garlic, and green pepper add color and flavor to this simple dish.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Papas a lo Pobre

If you’d like to see the full ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.

  • Thinly slice the potatoes, then cook them in a skillet with a little olive oil over medium-low heat until they're softened a little. Stir frequently to prevent them from browning. (image 1)
  • Add the green pepper, onion, and garlic and cook until the aromatics are softened. (image 2)
  • Remove any excess oil from the dish and season to taste with salt and pepper. (image 3)
  • Serve hot with fried eggs on the side, or enjoy as is! (image 4)

Recipe FAQs

What is patatas a lo pobre made of?

Papas a lo pobre (or patatas a lo pobre) is a simple dish made from thinly sliced potatoes cooked gently with onions, green pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper. It sounds plain, but is absolutely delicious and is a wonderful Spanish comfort food! What are potatoes called in Spain?

Potatoes are called patatas in Spain, but all other Spanish-speaking countries typically use the term papas for potatoes. How long does papas a lo pobre keep?

This dish will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. However, it's so tasty that I don't think it will stick around that long!

Serve

Papas a lo pobre can be enjoyed on their own, or served along with fried eggs to make a delicious and filling meal! Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.

Expert Tips

  • Thinly slice the potatoes so they cook quickly and have a good texture, and use a generous amount of olive oil so they don't stick to the pan.
  • Stir the potatoes and veggies frequently as they cook to prevent them from browning or frying.

Notes

  • Thinly slice the potatoes so they cook quickly and have a good texture, and use a generous amount of olive oil so they don't stick to the pan.
  • Stir the potatoes and veggies frequently as they cook to prevent them from browning or frying.
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