You can make potato pancakes plain (without cheese or onions) or as loaded potato cakes like we've listed in this recipe. They're good both ways!
Prep Time5 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time15 minutesmins
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Calories: 140kcal
Author: LittleCooksReadingBooks.com
Ingredients
2cupsleftover mashed potatoescold/chilled
1/2cupshredded cheddar cheeseplus extra for toppings
3green onionschopped (reserve some for toppings)
2Tablespoonsall-purpose flour*
1eggbeaten
1-2Tablespoonsmilk*
Salt and pepperto taste
Sour creamoptional, for topping
Vegetable oil or shortening for frying
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, stir together cold leftover mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, green onions, and flour. Be sure to reserve some of the green onions for topping.
Add in egg and stir until combined.
Add 1 tablespoon of milk and stir. Your potato mixture should be thick so that you can scoop them out and shape them into potato patties with your hands. (If needed, add the additional tablespoon of milk.)
Salt and pepper, to taste.
Lightly flour hands. Shape mashed potato mixture into small round pancake shapes. (How many you have will depend on how large you make your potato cakes. We usually make ours smaller, about 3-4 inches across, and can get around 8 or more from this recipe.)
In a large frying pan, heat 2-3 Tablespoons of vegetable oil or shortening over medium-high heat. Carefully place potato cakes in a single layer into hot oil. Fry for around 5 minutes or until lightly brown and crispy. Flip and fry on the other side.
Transfer fried potato cakes to a paper plate lined with paper towels and allow oil to drain.
Serve warm or at room temperature. For loaded potato cakes, top with sour cream, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions.
Store leftover cooked potato cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
*You may use less or more of milk and flour listed here. It depends on the thickness of your mashed potatoes to start. If your potato patties seem to runny, leave out the milk and add more flour.Try bacon bits or crumbled, cooked bacon to your potato mixture and/or as a topping.You can also serve them plain or with ketchup (which is how my daughter likes to eat them).