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!

- 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)
- 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.
- When the potatoes begin to soften, add the green peppers, onions, and garlic and cook until soft, stirring frequently.
- Drain the excess olive oil, then add salt and pepper to taste.
- 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.



