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5.0 from 150 votes

Papas Rellenas

Papas Rellenas are a traditional Cuban snack. The fried mashed potato balls are filled with ground beef and other fillings for a delicious appetizer or main dish.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Servings: 24
Calories: 160 kcal
Cuisine: South American

Ingredients

Mashed Potatoes
  • 4 large potatoes about 2 pounds (or about 4 cups if already prepared)
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 egg yolks lightly beaten, (reserve whites)
  • 1/4 cup whole milk (add slowly as you might not use it all)
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
Breading
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 2 egg whites
Picadillo
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika or more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin or more to taste
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 10 Spanish olives finely chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons juice from olives
  • kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • oil for frying

Instructions

Mashed Potatoes
    Cup of Yum
  1. Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender, then drain. Mash potatoes into a large bowl. Add butter and milk, mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Potatoes should be fairly stiff so they can hold their shape
  2. Stir in beaten yolks. Cool or refrigerate potatoes. These should be stiffer than regular mashed potatoes. They can be made a day before.
Picadillo
  1. Heat olive oil in large sauté pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook a few minutes until translucent. Next, add garlic, continuing to stir until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
  2. Add ground beef stirring to break up meat.
  3. Add paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper. Cook until beef is brown throughout. Add chopped olives and juice. Stir and adjust seasoning to taste, adding more if necessary.
Breading
  1. Mix 1/4 cup all purpose flour and 1 cup bread crumbs in a shallow bowl.
  2. Beat the 2 egg whites and 1 egg and place in a bowl.
Assembling the Papas Rellenas
  1. Using about 1/4 cup stiff, cold mashed potatoes, form into a ball.
  2. Flatten ball and make a hollow.
  3. Put about 1 tablespoon picadillo inside indentation.
  4. Enclose meat in potatoes, forming into a ball. Place on baking sheet.
  5. Repeat with remaining potatoes and meat.
  6. Roll each ball in egg mixture then in breading. Place on baking sheet. Chill 2 to 4 hours.
  7. Heat oil in a deep-fat fryer or deep frying pan. I used a deep frying pan and about 1 1/2 inches of oil. When oil is hot, carefully place 2 or 3 balls in pan, using a slotted spoon and turn until golden brown on all sides, 2 or 3 minutes. Transfer to clean baking sheet lined with paper towels.
  8. Hold in warm oven until all papas are fried. Makes approximately 2 dozen, depending on the size.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1g Calories 160kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 16g (5%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 8g (12%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 42mg (14%) Sodium 84mg (4%) Potassium 343mg (10%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 125IU (3%) Vitamin C 13mg (14%) Calcium 29mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 160

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 160kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 16g 5%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 8g 12%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 42mg 14%
Sodium 84mg 4%
Potassium 343mg 7%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 125IU 3%
Vitamin C 13mg 14%
Calcium 29mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.