If you love crispy, golden brown potatoes with a soft, tender inside, you’re going to adore this Mojo Potatoes recipe. Inspired by the famous Shakey’s Pizza treat, Mojo Potatoes have become a beloved snack or side dish in many households. With their perfect crunch and addictive flavor, they’re a hit at any gathering or meal. In this recipe, I’ll walk you through how to make this delicious dish from scratch, including a special dipping sauce that will elevate the flavors even more.
The Origins of Mojo Potatoes
Mojo Potatoes were first popularized by Shakey’s Pizza, a chain restaurant known for its delicious pizzas, fried foods, and more. Originally, Mojo Potatoes became a favorite snack for pizza lovers, pairing perfectly with the restaurant’s famous pizzas and cold drinks. The dish’s crispy exterior combined with a tender interior made it an instant favorite, and it didn’t take long for it to spread beyond the Shakey’s chains.
Over the years, Mojo Potatoes have found their way onto the tables of people in the Philippines, the United States, and even Singapore, where they gained significant popularity in March 2022. Now, thanks to the magic of the internet and the rise of food enthusiasts, Mojo Potatoes are a well-known dish, loved for their easy preparation and irresistible taste.
Today, I’m excited to share with you my version of Mojo Potatoes, complete with a special sauce that stays true to the original flavor and enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Ingredients
To make Mojo Potatoes, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that are easily found at your local grocery store. The crispy outer layer comes from a perfect blend of dry ingredients and spices, while the inside remains soft and fluffy. For the dipping sauce, the combination of mayonnaise, garlic, lemon, and smoked paprika brings a delightful contrast to the potatoes. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Mojo Potatoes:
- Potatoes: 500-600 grams (I recommend russet potatoes for their starchy texture, which results in crispy potatoes)
- Egg: 1 large, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- Milk: 1/4 cup
For the Dry Mix:
- All-purpose flour: 1/2 cup
- Cornstarch: 1/2 cup
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
- Garlic powder: 3/4 teaspoon
- Onion powder: 1 and 3/4 teaspoons
- Oregano: 1/4 teaspoon
- Thyme: 1/2 teaspoon
- Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
- Hot pepper: 1/2 teaspoon (adjust to your preferred spice level)
For the Dip:
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup
- Garlic powder: 1/4 teaspoon
- Lemon juice: Half a lemon’s juice
- Salt: A pinch
- Black pepper: A pinch
- Smoked paprika: A pinch
Instructions
Now that you have all the ingredients, let’s dive into the step-by-step instructions to make these delicious Mojo Potatoes:
Step 1: Prepare the Potatoes
Start by washing and peeling the potatoes thoroughly. Once clean, cut them into small, even pieces. The pieces should be about 1-inch thick, but feel free to adjust the size based on your preference for bite-sized snacks. After cutting the potatoes, make sure to dry them thoroughly to ensure that the coating sticks better during frying.
Step 2: Prepare the Wet Mixture
In a small bowl, combine 1 large egg and 1/4 cup of milk. Whisk them together until smooth and set it aside for later. This mixture will help the dry flour coating adhere to the potatoes, giving them their signature crispy crust.
Step 3: Prepare the Dry Mix
In a separate large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, black pepper, and hot pepper. The combination of spices will infuse the potatoes with fantastic flavor while the flour and cornstarch create the perfect crispy coating.
Step 4: Coat the Potatoes
Once the potatoes are cut and dried, take each piece and dip it into the wet egg and milk mixture. After coating the potato pieces with the wet mixture, transfer them into the dry spice mixture. Make sure each potato piece is fully covered in the spice mixture. Gently shake off any excess to avoid a too-thick crust. Set the coated potatoes aside and repeat the process with the remaining potato pieces. Let them rest for about 10 minutes to ensure the coating sticks well.
Step 5: Fry the Potatoes
Now it’s time to fry the potatoes! Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot until it reaches 160°C (320°F). You can check if the oil is hot enough by dipping a chopstick into the oil. If small bubbles form around it, the oil is ready.
Carefully place the potato pieces into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the potatoes in batches if necessary. Fry each batch for about 2 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Once they’re done, remove the potatoes from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
Step 6: Second Frying (For Extra Crispiness)
For that extra crispy texture, increase the oil temperature slightly and fry the potatoes again for another 30 seconds. This will ensure they’re perfectly crispy on the outside while maintaining a soft, fluffy interior.
Step 7: Prepare the Dipping Sauce
While your potatoes are cooling, it’s time to prepare the dip. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, the juice of half a lemon, a pinch of salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir well until everything is combined. The mayo-based dip adds a creamy, tangy flavor that pairs beautifully with the crispy Mojo Potatoes.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Place the crispy Mojo Potatoes in a serving dish or bowl and serve with the homemade dipping sauce on the side. The rich, flavorful dipping sauce complements the crispy potatoes, making this dish even more irresistible. You can enjoy these Mojo Potatoes as a snack, side dish, or even as an appetizer at your next gathering.
Tips for the Perfect Mojo Potatoes
- Don’t overcrowd the frying pan: Overcrowding the pan with too many potato pieces at once will cause them to stick together and won’t allow them to crisp up properly. Fry in small batches for the best results.
- Double-fry for extra crunch: For that perfectly crispy exterior, make sure to fry the potatoes twice – once to cook them and a second time to crisp them up.
- Customize the spice level: If you like your Mojo Potatoes spicier, you can increase the amount of hot pepper in the dry mix or add some chili flakes to the dipping sauce.
- Use high-starch potatoes: For the crispiest results, make sure to use russet potatoes or another type of starchy potato. These varieties crisp up nicely and absorb the flavors of the coating.
Conclusion
Mojo Potatoes are the ultimate crispy snack or side dish, and with this easy-to-follow recipe, you can recreate the deliciousness of the original dish right in your own kitchen. The combination of crispy potatoes with a flavorful dipping sauce makes for an irresistible treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing a family meal, or simply craving a savory snack, these Mojo Potatoes are sure to please. Enjoy making and sharing this delicious recipe with your friends and family, and don’t forget to try variations of the sauce or spice mix to suit your personal taste. Happy cooking and eating!
