Learn how to make Puerto Rican-style, seasoned ground beef stuffed potato croquettes, also known as Papas Rellenas. This popular Spanish appetizer consists of mashed potato balls stuffed with picadillo filling, deep fried to crispy, creamy perfection. My version of this classic Puerto Rican recipe is not breaded! Papas Rellenas are an impressively tasty dish to serve as an appetizer, side dish, or snack.

a plate of papas rellenas

It’s not every day we get to enjoy mashed potatoes, and on really special days, we get Papas Rellenas de Puerto Rico.

The combination of the fluffy, light mashed potatoes, with the spicy, savory Puerto Rican-style picadillo filling, and the perfectly crunchy deep fried exterior is a treat you have to experience.

Similar to the magical fried texture in these bacalaitos and croquetas de jamón, this tapas-style appetizer will have you living for happy hour.

🧾 Ingredients

a tray with potatoes, picadillo, corn starch and more
See recipe card for quantities.
a plate of papas rellenas

Step by Step Instructions

Reminder: You can always add another small scoop of the potato filling over the top of the filling, to help create a solid seal. This is important when frying, to prevent them from breaking open in the oil.

Important Frying Tip

Remember that adding add another small scoop of the potato filling over the top of the filling is crucial to help create a solid seal.

Also take a moment to seal all the way around the croquettes with your hands. This is important when frying, to prevent them from breaking open in the oil!

papas rellenas before being fried

More Fried Appetizers

Here are some more Latin-style appetizers with similar flavors:

a plate of papas rellenas

Buen Provecho,

Salima written in cursive
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a plate of papas rellenas

Crispy Papas Rellenas (Potato-Stuffed Croquettes)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.2 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Salima Benkhalti
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
  • Method: Fried
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican, Latin
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Learn how to make Puerto Rican-style picadillo stuffed potato croquettes, aka Papas Rellenas. This popular Spanish appetizer consists of mashed potato balls stuffed with seasoned ground beef, deep fried to crispy, creamy perfection. They’re an impressively tasty dish to serve as an appetizer, side dish, or snack.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Picadillo Filling 

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/3 cup sofrito
  • 1 tsp sazon seasoning
  • 1 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1/3 cup pimento olives, sliced in half

For the Potatoes


Instructions

  1. Make the picadillo. Add the ground beef,  onion and bell pepper to a pan. Brown the meat while breaking up before adding the sofrito, sazon, adobo and bay leaves. Once fragrant, add tomato sauce and olives. Cover and cook another 10 minutes until the beef is fully cooked. Set aside to cool.
  2. Peel, chop & boil the potatoes. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Prep the potatoes by peeling and chopping into halves or quarters (depending on their size). Add to the boiling water and cook until fork tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl. 
  3. Mash & season the potatoes. Mash the potatoes until all of the solid chunks have broken down and a consistent mash is formed. Mix in the corn starch, sazon, and adobo seasoning until the potatoes resemble a dough. 
  4. Form & stuff the potatoes. Using a ½ cup measuring cup or small scoop, grab large balls of the potatoes. Flatten the ball gently, fill with a tablespoon or two of the picadillo. Carefully form the potatoes around the filling, adding an additional scoop of the potato mixture if needed. 
  5. Fry. Fry the croquettes in 350°F oil until golden brown and crispy all around. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain any oil. Enjoy! 

Notes

  • If the potato dough isn’t sticking, add another teaspoon or two of cornstarch to help bind.
  • There will be leftover Picadillo filling. Enjoy over rice or with bread!

🥫 Tasty Dipping Sauces