How to Make Spiral Tornado Potatoes on Skewers

Spiral Tornado Potatoes

On a trip to Barcelona a while ago, I was walking through the popular market, la Boqueria, when I came across spiral potatoes or tornado potatoes.

La Boqueria Spiral Potatoes
Spiral Potatoes at La Boqueria. Photo by Verayea LLC

I had no name for them at the time, so I called them potatoes on a stick! They were so beautiful to look at. After a taste, I was convinced that I had to make them at home.

Spiral potatoes on skewers. Photo by Verayea LLC

What are Spiral Tornado Potatoes on Skewers?

Spiral Tornado Potatoes are simply potatoes on the skewers. But what makes them exceptional is how they are presented. It’s not typical to see potatoes served on Skewers.

When I think of skewers my mind immediately thinks of meats of all kinds, Kebabs, Suya, Gizzards and more. So, when I first saw spiral potatoes, I was amazed.

Spices
Bowls filled with a variety of spices. Photo by Verayea LLC

When I got back home, figuring out what ingredients I would use to make the potatoes was easy. I have a great palette and could tell what was added. Plus, I figured that sometimes these things come down to your taste or preferences.

How Do You Make This Dish?

My recipe for making these potatoes includes ingredients like potatoes, cooking oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. I also ordered some wooden skewers online. The skewers arrived within a day and so I made a plan to cook the next day!

My initial plan was to use a knife to cut through the potatoes and make the spiral shape. However, I was scrolling through one of my social media apps when I saw someone use a spiral cutter to make the shapes.

Tornado Potatoes Spiral Cutter
A potato mounted on a spiral cutter, ready for slicing. Photo by Verayea LLC

I decided to order one of those machines to give it a go and see if it would make the process easier and the shapes perfect. That process is a story for another day.

Raw potato
Three spiral-cut potatoes on skewers. Photo by Verayea LLC

Anyway, I began by washing the potatoes. Then I peeled each one. After peeling, I inserted the skewers through each one.

I decided to make two batches. Some were made using a knife and the others were made using the spiral cutter.

Once the potatoes were cut, I moved on to add flavor to each skewer.

Raw potatoes
Spiral potatoes on skewers, seasoned with spices. Photo by Verayea LLC

For the cooking process, I had the option to bake or fry the potatoes. I chose to bake the Spiral Tornado Potatoes on Skewers.

Next step was adding the spices. With that completed place the skewered potatoes on a baking tray lined with foil paper.

I baked for about 30 minutes. During the baking time, I would turn the potatoes a couple of times to allow each side back evenly.

Once they were ready, I allowed them cool down and then I enjoyed the yummy goodness!

Spiral Tornado Potatoes

Spiral Tornado Potatoes on Skewers

Spiral Tornado Potatoes on skewers are a delightful snack. They are fun way to present potatoes when you have an occasion or an event.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4

Equipment

  • 1 Spiral Cutter Optional; You can simply use a Knife
  • 1 Frying pan, deep fryer, or oven
  • 1 Wooden skewers one per potato
  • 1 Brush for oiling and seasoning

Ingredients
  

  • 4-5 medium-sized potatoes
  • Cooking oil (vegetable or olive oil)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Seasonings: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cheese powder, or chili powder Optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Potatoes

  • To begin, wash and peel your potatoes. Alternatively, you can leave the skin on if you prefer a more rustic texture, as this will add extra flavor and crunch.
    Next, carefully insert a wooden skewer through the center of each potato, lengthwise. Not only does the skewer help hold the potato in place as you create the spiral shape, but it also makes it much easier to handle during cooking.

Create the Spiral Cut

  • Using a Spiral Cutter: First, attach the potato to the cutter. Then, turn the cutter slowly to create a continuous, even spiral.
  • Using a Knife: Alternatively, hold the potato firmly and start slicing diagonally from the top. As you cut, slowly rotate the potato around the skewer, maintaining the spiral motion until you reach the bottom. When done, carefully pull apart the slices along the skewer to create even gaps in the spiral, ensuring a uniform look.

Season the Potatoes

  • First, brush or lightly spray a thin layer of oil over each potato spiral. This step helps the seasonings stick and enhances the crispiness.
  • Next, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. For additional flavor, consider adding seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, or chili powder. These spices bring an extra kick and complement the crispy texture of the potatoes perfectly.
  • Now, you’re all set for cooking!

Fry or Bake the Skewered Potatoes

  • Heat oil in a deep fryer or a large pot to around 350°F (175°C).
  • Carefully lower each skewered potato into the hot oil. Fry for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
  • Use tongs to remove each skewer, allowing excess oil to drain on a paper towel.

Baking Option:

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Place the skewered potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes, turning them halfway through, until golden and crispy.

Serve

  • Let the skewered potatoes cool slightly before serving.
  • Serve them as is, or pair them with dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch, spicy aioli, or even cheese sauce for a fun twist.
    Tornado Potato

Notes

Tips for Perfect Skewered Tornado Potatoes:

  • Make sure your knife is sharp to achieve even, precise cuts.
  • Avoid cutting the slices too thin or thick for consistent cooking.
  • Try experimenting with seasonings to create different flavor combinations.
Keyword Spiral Tornado Potatoes on Skewers

Let’s dig in!

Once the Spiral Tornado Potatoes on Skewers are ready they can be served as an appetizer, snack, or for lunch or dinner! Let me know if you enjoyed making this quick dish!

About Florence Akpotaire 34 Articles
Florence is a guest contributor at Verayea, where she brings her passion for cooking and love for exploring diverse flavors to the table. With a strong educational background in food and nutrition, she delights in sharing her collection of recipes from cultures around the world.

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