Puerto Rican Papas Rellenas – mashed potato croquettes stuffed with flavorful picadillo (ground beef hash). They are fried to golden perfection on the outside while still creamy on the inside. Meat and potatoes join together to form the perfect appetizer!
Puerto Rican Papas Rellenas
Hey guys! I’m here with my monthly Puerto Rican recipe for you. And let me tell you…these fried potato croquettes are amazeballs. Like, literally.
Balls of mashed potatoes are filled with picadillo (a ground beef hash which is so flavorful it gives taco meat a run for its money), then fried until golden brown and crispy. They are probably my favorite Puerto Rican appetizer!
Puerto Rican papas rellenas, or rellenos de papa as they are called, have a bit of a story in my family history. I’ve told you before how I used to think I was Puerto Rican as a child, although I’m actually half Mexican [full story here]. There are many contributing factors to this misconception, among which are these potato croquettes.
Every year my family would attend the Mexican Festival in Milwaukee, WI. My mother would make a beeline past the mariachi bands, the jalapeño eating competition (and the grito contest!), the vendors selling street tacos and cerveza, and head straight for the Puerto Rican booth where they made these papa rellenas.
What the heck was a Puerto Rican stand was doing at a Mexican fiesta I’ll never know – but you can see my confusion, right?!
Well, one bite is all you need and those questions evaporate. Potatoes are my favorite food. I love them in any form, but fried potatoes are the best of the best by far. Paired with incredibly flavorful meat, it’s a combination that can’t be beat.
You can find my recipe for the picadillo filling here. *Do not add the diced potatoes called for in the recipe.*
This recipe only uses half the amount of picadillo, so you can either use the leftovers in tacos or just make half a batch of meat. Or you can double the amount of mashed potatoes and have twice as many papas rellenas!
The trick to these croquettes is to mash the heck out of your potatoes so they turn gummy and pliable. Extra cornstarch helps combat any stickiness as well.
Adding an egg helps with binding, but if you’re able to knead the potatoes into a workable dough, the egg is not necessary. Eat them as is, or serve with my mayo-ketchup or garlic dipping oil.
As always, feel free to shoot me an email at kitchengidget@gmail.com if you have any questions or hit me up on Facebook!
Mashed potatoes balls stuffed with picadillo (ground beef hash) and fried to golden perfection! Nutritional information provided is an estimate only. Please consult the labels of ingredients you use for more accurate results.
Puerto Rican Papas Rellenas (Stuffed Potatoes)
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 106Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 77mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
Nicole says
These came out awesome! I added an extra egg and used arrowroot powder as I didn’t have corn starch. Tasted just like the ones we got in Puerto Rico!
Judy says
Hi, I am Puerto Rican and enjoy the foods that I cook.
I cannot get certain foods to come out right, like the rellenos de papa.
I make it fine but when it comes to frying I am a mess. They fall apart.
I read in one of your replies to cook them frozen, but won’t that make it fall apart in the oil when it reaches a certain temp. Won’t it make the oil splash when you put the frozen potatoes balls in the oil.
Please answer soon, thank you.
Rebekah says
Hi Judy! My tips for rellenos de papa is to drain the potatoes well after boiling. Excess water is usually the culprit if they are falling apart. Put them back in the pot and let the residual water evaporate (use low heat if needed). Definitely use the egg and my mom said 2 tablespoons of butter will help the texture as well. I’ve never tried freezing these before cooking, but others have commented that they do. I would try my tips first and I hope that helps.
Nicole says
Did not stay together completely fell apart based off other comments the egg should of not been optional the balls stuck together an we’re fine
Rebekah says
Sorry about that, thanks for the feedback on the eggs!
Gloria says
Potatoes must be completely cooled and your hands well floured to avoid stickiness.
Jenelle says
Are these like the potato balls you get from portos?? Because those ones are really yummy.
Rebekah says
Yes! I’ve never had Porto’s but I looked it up and it’s the same thing. It looks like they roll theirs in panko bread crumbs before frying to make them crunchy. Not traditional but extra crispy is never bad in my book!
Dot says
Do you use a specific potato type?
Idaho, all purpose or any white?
Thanks – Mom loves these.
Rebekah says
I don’t use a specific type. I usually just grab russet potatoes at the store.
Jess says
For my filling I put corn beef and a little chunk of mozzarella cheese. yum 😋
Rebekah says
Never tried it with corned beef, but that sounds delicious!
Marie says
If I don’t have cornstarch ?
Rebekah says
I’ve never tried with anything else so I’m not sure how it will turn out if you use flour. Hopefully someone else will comment on this!
Abela says
Omit the cornstarch if you don’t have any, just mash until you can for balls that won’t fall apart before you place the picadillo.
Tina says
Can I bake them instead of frying?
Rebekah says
They will not be the same at all.
Pedro J says
I know a place that fry them just to get the golden color and finish thr cooking in the oven
Olguita Rosado says
Seafood lovers like myself can Substitute the meat with shrimp & take your tastebuds on a ride!
Rebekah says
Yummy yummy! I love that idea.
Chad says
Everything went ok until I tried to fry them, and they fell apart in the oil. Did I not get them gummy enough to stick together? Not sure where I went wrong?
Thanks
Rebekah says
Oh no I’m so sorry! I think when that happens the potato was too dry. Did you add the egg? Mine always turn out better with the egg.
Sharon says
Fry them frozen!
Sam says
Would you recommend pan frying these versus using a deep fryer with basket?
Rebekah says
I like deep frying, but either way works!
Becky T says
Can these be made up thru the ball stage and then frozen?
Rebekah says
Hi Becky! I’ve never done it myself, but others have told me they freeze them before frying. When ready to cook, they fry them straight out of the freezer and add a couple minutes to the time.
Grwl says
I made the picadillo and sofrito. I don’t have potatoes, but have a box of instant. Have you tried that? I assume add less water or more cornstarch?
Rebekah says
I’ve never tried with instant, so I can’t say for sure. It should work if you’re able to get the consistency to hold to where it’s thick and shape-able. If you try, please let us know the results!
Chantal says
Looks Amazing, but how do I prepare the potatoes,and the meat to be able to enjoy, right now I’m ready!
Chantal
Shreyashi says
I love the idea of this dish but I cannot have the filling as I don’t have beef. Any suggestions you have in mind as to what I can use instead for the most approximate flavours?
Great work. 🙂
Rebekah says
I’ve never tried anything else, but cheese is another common filling. I bet some semi-mashed beans like kidney or lentils would be tasty!
Iz says
I’ve made the filling with turkey or chicken as well.
Mercedes says
Ground turkey. I use ground turkey and it taste the same.
Florence says
To replace meat use organic meatless meat from Whole Foods or use chicken . In lil frozen dept with Spanish spices you will never tell the differece
Ashlyn ~ Dollop Of Yum says
I have absolutely no words for how delicious these look! The photos are amazing. 🙂
Rebekah says
Thank you, Ashlyn!
Shihoko says
This so cute. Kawaii<3 and look delicious too. Sounds similar to Japanese potato croquettes but this bite size one is much cuter!
Rebekah says
Arigato gozaimasu, Shihoko-san!
khadija says
I really love potato croquettes and these look so delicious , thanks for another another way to enjoy them 🙂
Sarah says
I saw these on pinterest and they look soooo good! Potatoes are definitely up there in my list of favorite foods – no matter how you do them they always taste amazing. I can’t wait to try these for myself!
Sarah says
Yum!! What a tasty idea! I definitely need to make…and eat…this treat ASAP! Thanks for sharing!