Batata Harra

Batata harra is a Lebanese recipe that pairs tender roasted potatoes with a spicy sauce for a delicious side dish to enjoy any day of the week!

Potatoes are so simple in flavour and even appearance, and yet they’re somehow totally irresistible. I love Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes and Loaded Potato Skins , but I’ve recently discovered batata harra and I can’t get enough!

What Is Batata Harra?

Batata harra means “spicy potatoes” in Arabic and that’s exactly what you get in this recipe! Seasoned potatoes are tossed in a fiery sauce, adding lots of big, bold flavour. While it is spicy, it’s also balanced—the heat isn’t overpowering, in my opinion, although if you’re not a fan of spicy food, you can definitely dial it back a bit.

This Lebanese dish is served as a side dish or appetizer—it’s often part of a mezze platter with hummus and other Mediterranean favourites. Of course, if you love potatoes, you could make a meal out of batata harra alone!

Why You’ll Love This Batata Harra Recipe

Here’s what makes batata harra a standout:

• A new way to enjoy potatoes . Roasted potatoes are delicious, but if you want something with a little more flavour, batata harra fits the bill. It’s a spicy twist on an old favourite!
• Simple and quick to make . With just a few simple ingredients and only 10 minutes of prep time, this is a recipe that’s perfect for those evenings when you want a homemade meal, but don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking it.
• Perfectly crispy . Roasting the potatoes gives them a divinely crisp exterior that’s impossible to resist!

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

• Potatoes
• Olive oil – You’ll need some for roasting the potatoes and some for the sauce.
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder – For lots of garlic flavour in the potatoes.
• Paprika – Sweet paprika or smoked; we’re already adding chili flakes, so don’t use hot paprika unless you want extra spicy batata harra.
• Chili flakes – Feel free to adjust the amount.
• Garlic
• Cilantro – Not a cilantro fan? Use parsley instead.
• Lemon juice – Use fresh, not bottled; it has a superior flavour.

What Are the Best Potatoes for Roasting?

Certain potatoes are better suited for roasting than others. I use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes in this recipe because they have a higher starch content, which makes them perfect for achieving crispy, golden edges while staying tender on the inside. Fingerling potatoes also work well for batata harra.

How to Make Batata Harra

Here’s how simple it is to make batata harra at home:

• Prepare . Preheat the oven to 400ºF, then wash, peel, and cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Wash again, then pat the potatoes dry.
• Season . Toss the potatoes with the olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder until they’re well-coated.

• Roast . Spread the potatoes onto a baking sheet and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden and crisp, stirring once after 20 minutes of cooking.
• Make the sauce . While the potatoes are roasting, stir together the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl.
• Finish . Toss the potatoes with the sauce, then serve.

Tips for Success

Follow these simple pointers for perfect batata harra:

• Dry the potatoes well . Pat the potatoes completely dry before roasting to achieve maximum crispiness.
• Make sure the potato pieces are uniform in size . Cut the potatoes into evenly-sized pieces to ensure that they all finish cooking at the same time.
• Give them space . Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet, as this will keep the potatoes from getting crispy. If needed, use two baking sheets.
• Adjust the heat as needed . If you prefer a milder dish, use less chili flakes. On the flip side, you can add more chili flakes, use hot paprika, or add some cayenne for extra-spicy batata harra.

Air Fryer Batata Harra

Want to use your air fryer to make batata harra? No problem! Here’s how:

• Follow the same recipe as above, but instead of roasting the potatoes in the oven, place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 400ºF for 20 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, take out the basket and shake it to ensure even cooking.
• Once the potatoes are cooked and crispy, toss them with the sauce and serve hot.

Serving Suggestions

To serve batata harra as part of a mezze, set out an array of olives, hummus (try my Roasted Cauliflower Hummus or Beet Hummus for something different!), Crispy Homemade Falafel , Baba Ghanoush , Homemade Pita Chips , and other Middle Eastern favourites.

If you’re using batata harra as a side, pair it with Vegan Kofta , Lemon Pepper Tofu , Vegan Tempeh Gyros , or another main dish with flavours that complement the batata harra.

How to Store Leftovers

Batata harra is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven for the crispiest texture, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in the oven or air fryer at 400ºF until heated through, or use the microwave. (The potatoes won’t be as crisp in the microwave, but they’ll still taste good!)

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

Potatoes tend not to freeze well, so I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

More Vegan Potato Recipes

• Loaded Potato Soup
• Crispy Smashed Potatoes
• Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
• Vegan Mashed Potatoes
• Garlic Roasted Potatoes (Buttery & Crispy)

Ingredients

• 2 pounds roasting potatoes , russet or yukon gold will be best (900g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ tablespoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes , or to taste
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• ½ cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
• Juice from ½ lemon

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400° (200°C).
• Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into 1 inch pieces and wash again.
• Spread potatoes on a clean kitchen towel, pat them dry and let air dry for 5 minutes. This step is important to ensure the crispy potatoes.
• After drying, stir the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder until it’s evenly coated.
• Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 35-40 minutes, stirring once after 20 minutes of cooking.
• Potatoes should be golden and crisp on the outside.
• While the potatoes are roasting, mix all ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl.
• When the potatoes are ready, sprinkle the sauce on top and mix to coat evenly.

Notes

• You can air fry potatoes in two batches at 400 F for 20 min.
• To store : Batata harra is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven for the best crispy texture, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in the oven or air fryer at 400ºF until heated through, or use the microwave.
• To freeze : Potatoes tend not to freeze well, so I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

Batata Harra

Ingredients

• 2 pounds roasting potatoes russet or yukon gold will be best (900g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ tablespoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes or to taste
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• ½ cup finely chopped cilantro leaves
• Juice from ½ lemon

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400° (200°C).
• Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into 1 inch pieces and wash again.
• Spread potatoes on a clean kitchen towel, pat them dry and let air dry for 5 minutes. This step is important to ensure the crispy potatoes.
• After drying, stir the potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder until it’s evenly coated.
• Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 35-40 minutes, stirring once after 20 minutes of cooking.
• Potatoes should be golden and crisp on the outside.
• While the potatoes are roasting, mix all ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl.
• When the potatoes are ready, sprinkle the sauce on top and mix to coat evenly.

Notes

• You can air fry potatoes in two batches at 400 F for 20 min.
• To store : Batata harra is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven for the best crispy texture, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place in the oven or air fryer at 400ºF until heated through, or use the microwave.
• To freeze : Potatoes tend not to freeze well, so I don’t recommend freezing this dish.

Nutrition

Batata Harra https://jessicainthekitchen.com/batata-harra/ October 25, 2023

Tender cinnamon rolls get the French toast treatment in this cinnamon roll French toast recipe! You’ll love the spirals of gooey cinnamon-brown sugar filling soaked and baked in vegan custard, topped with sweet vanilla icing.

I love making vegan cinnamon rolls , and I love French toast . Combining the two into one epic cinnamon roll French toast casserole? I’m in breakfast heaven!

This cinnamon roll French toast takes classic cinnamon rolls and transforms them into a French toast bake that is out-of-this-world delicious. Making the cinnamon rolls from scratch takes time, but it’s absolutely worth it. This is the kind of dish that will impress everyone for a holiday breakfast or brunch potluck.

What Makes This Cinnamon Roll French Toast Recipe So Good

• Vegan . French toast is usually made with eggs and milk, making it a no-go for vegans. But this recipe uses plant-based ingredients to make it vegan-friendly.
• Cozy flavour . Two comfort food classics in one dish! Warm cinnamon rolls and French toast combine to create the coziest breakfast treat.
• A delicious shortcut. Rather than baking the cinnamon rolls and making them into French toast, you’ll add the custard right to the pan with the unbaked rolls. This saves you a step and infuses the cinnamon rolls with flavour as they bake.
• Perfect for a brunch get-together . If you want to serve up a true show-stopper, this cinnamon roll French toast is the way to go. Your friends and family will be impressed with your baking skills!

Notes on Ingredients

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

For the Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

• Bread flour – Bread flour is ideal for making cinnamon rolls, as it has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour. This helps create a strong and elastic dough.
• Soy milk – You’ll use dairy-free milk to make the starter and the cinnamon roll dough. You could also use oat milk or another kind you prefer. If you have an instant-read thermometer, the temperature of the milk for the dough should be between 100°F and 115°F so it can activate the yeast .
• Brown sugar – I recommend light brown sugar, which has a milder flavour than dark.
• Instant yeast – Not active dry yeast! I developed this recipe using instant yeast.
• Ground cinnamon – You could also use nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist.
• Vegan butter – Melt it so it incorporates into the dough and mixes easily with the sugar, flour, and cinnamon for the cinnamon roll filling.

For the Casserole

• Vegan butter – This should also be melted.
• Egg replacer – You can use a store-bought egg substitute or use flax eggs , made from flaxseed meal and water. Your custard will contain flax meal in this case, but it still works perfectly.
• Coconut milk – Full-fat coconut milk creates a rich, creamy custard.
• Vanilla extract and cinnamon – To flavor the custard. If needed, substitute vanilla extract with equal parts vanilla paste.
• Maple syrup – Use pure maple syrup, not artificial pancake syrup.
• Pecans – You’ll be chopping them, so buy pecan pieces rather than whole pecans.
• Glaze – You’ll combine powdered sugar with dairy-free milk and additional vanilla to make the cinnamon roll icing.

The Cinnamon Rolls Use a Tangzhong Starter

Tangzhong is a method used in Japanese milk bread recipes that involves cooking flour and liquid (usually water or milk) together to form a thick paste or “starter”, which is then added to the dough. This technique helps to create soft and fluffy bread, and it also extends its storage life.

I use this method in my original vegan cinnamon rolls recipe, linked earlier, and I’ve carried it over to make the cinnamon rolls for this French toast casserole. See below.

How to Make Cinnamon Roll French Toast

This recipe does take some time because you’ll need to wait for the dough to rise and the rolls to proof. Keep that in mind when planning your breakfast! Here are the steps to prepare this cinnamon roll French toast recipe from scratch.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients.

• Make the tangzhong . In a small pan set over medium-high heat, whisk together the flour, milk, and water. Heat the mixture and stir until it thickens. Remove from heat and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
• Mix the dry ingredients . Whisk the flour, brown sugar, yeast, salt, and cinnamon in the bowl of a stand mixer.
• Add the wet ingredients . Create a well in the center and add the warm milk, melted butter, and tangzhong. Mix until incorporated, then cover with a towel and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

Knead the dough.

• Knead . Knead the dough for 15 minutes on medium speed.
• Rise . Set the dough in a greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise for 60 to 90 minutes in a warm place, until it’s about doubled in size.

Roll out the dough and add the filling.

• Roll out the dough . Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and roll it into a 12-inch x 12-inch square.
• Make the filling . In a small bowl, mix together all of the filling ingredients.
• Form the rolls . Spread the filling over the dough, then roll it tightly into a log. Cut the dough into 8 pieces.

Proof the rolls.

• Proof the rolls . Add 1/4 cup of melted butter into a 13×9-inch baking dish. Set the cinnamon rolls into the dish and let them rise for about 40 minutes. At the end of this time, start preheating the oven to 350ºF.
• Make the custard . In a bowl, whisk together the vegan eggs, coconut milk, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Assemble the casserole.

• Assemble . Pour the custard mixture over the rolls, followed by the maple syrup. Sprinkle pecans over the top.
• Bake . Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Pour over maple syrup.

• Finish . Pour extra maple syrup over the rolls, then mix the ingredients for the glaze and drizzle over the rolls.

Recipe Tips

• Add more flour if needed . If the dough feels sticky while you’re kneading it, add 2 tablespoons of flour. In a humid environment, it’s not unusual to have to add a little more flour.
• Know when the dough is done rising . During the first rise, the dough should double in bulk. If it’s cold in your house, it may need a little extra time; in a warm environment, it could need less. Go by sight, not by the time on the clock.
• Don’t overwork the dough . Doing so will result in tough, dense cinnamon rolls, not the light, fluffy texture you want.

Easy Variations to Try

If you want to switch things up, here are a few variations to try:

• Apple cinnamon roll French toast . Add chopped apples or apple pie filling to the cinnamon roll filling. Top the casserole with a drizzle of caramel sauce instead of the vanilla glaze.
• Chocolate chip cinnamon roll French toast . Sprinkle chocolate chips over the rolls before baking.
• Pumpkin spice roll French toast . Use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon for a simple twist on the original recipe. You could also whisk a spoonful of pumpkin puree into the French toast custard for a pumpkin French toast -inspired version.

What to Serve With Vegan Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole

I love serving this cinnamon roll French toast for a crowd-pleasing Christmas morning breakfast or fall brunch. It goes well with a side of fresh fruit and a savory tofu scramble or vegan quiche . Warm up with a cozy pumpkin spice latte or a matcha latte , or toast the occasion with a peach bellini !

How to Store Leftovers

• Refrigerate leftovers. If you have any leftovers of this cinnamon roll French toast casserole, they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave and heat until warmed through. You can warm larger portions in a 350ºF oven.
• Freeze. To freeze cinnamon roll French toast, transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat according to the instructions above.

More Vegan Brunch Recipes

• Pumpkin Pancakes
• Overnight Baked French Toast Casserole
• Lemon Poppyseed Waffles with Vanilla Blueberry Sauce
• Easy Vegan Blueberry Pancakes
• Classic Vegan Donuts

Ingredients

Tangzhong:

• 2 tablespoons bread flour , 15 grams
• ¼ cup soy milk , 60 grams
• 2 tablespoons water , 30 grams

Cinnamon Rolls:

• 3 cups bread flour , 360 grams + 2 tbsp (15 grams)
• ¼ cup brown sugar , 50 grams
• 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast , 1 packet
• ½ teaspoon salt , 2.5 grams
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon , 0.5 grams
• ¾ cup warm soy milk , 180 grams
• ⅓ cup melted vegan butter , 70 grams

Filling:

• ⅔ cup brown sugar , 130 grams
• 4 tablespoons melted vegan butter , 60 grams
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon , 6 grams
• 1 ½ tablespoons flour , 10 grams

French Toast Batter:

• ¼ cup vegan butter , melted (57 grams)
• 4 vegan eggs substitute , 240 grams, or make 4 flax eggs
• ½ cup coconut milk , 120 grams
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract , 10 grams
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon , 4 grams
• ¾ cup maple syrup , 187 grams, divided
• 1 cup chopped pecans , 135 grams

Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar , 120 grams
• 1 tablespoon soy milk , 15 grams
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract , 1 gram

Instructions

• In a small pan, whisk together the flour, milk and water. Over medium-high heat the mixture and stir until the mixture thickens up, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes in the fridge.
• Add flour, brown sugar, yeast, salt, and cinnamon to the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk everything.
• Create a well in the center, and add warm milk, melted butter and Tangzhong. Mix until incorporated. Cover with a towel and let it sit for about 10 minutes to rest.
• Knead the dough for 15 minutes on medium speed. If the dough is sticky, add 2 tablespoons of flour while kneading for about 5 minutes.
• Lightly grease the bowl with oil and place the dough back. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it sit for 60- 90 minutes in a warm place, or 8-12 hours in the fridge (overnight for these hours is fine too). The dough should rise and double in size.
• Roll out the dough to a 12-inch x 12-inch square on a floured surface using the rolling pin .
• In a bowl mix together ingredients for the filling.
• Spread the filling over the top of the dough. Roll the dough tightly over into a tight log. Cut the dough into 8 pieces.
• Add 1/4 cup melted butter into a 13×9-inch baking dish. Place cinnamon rolls into the dish and let rise for about 40 minutes. At the end of the rising time, begin preheating the oven to 350ºF.
• In a bowl, add vegan eggs replacer, coconut milk, cinnamon, and vanilla until well mixed.
• Pour the mixture over the rolls. (The unbaked cinnamon rolls are baked with the custard, rather than baking them separately.)
• Pour 1/2 cup maple syrup over the rolls.
• Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
• Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
• Pour the remaining 1/4 cup of maple syrup over the rolls.
• Mix ingredients for the glaze. Sprinkle over the rolls.

Notes