Ultimate Crispy Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes
Transform your leftover mashed potatoes into golden, crispy potato cakes with a soft, fluffy interior. These easy potato patties are perfect as a comfort food side dish or a quick snack.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 27 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups cold leftover mashed potatoes
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust based on existing potato seasoning)
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs (for dredging)
- 4 tablespoons butter or cooking oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Place the cold mashed potatoes in a medium bowl. You must use cold potatoes for the cakes to hold their shape.
- Add the beaten egg, flour, shredded cheese, garlic powder, pepper, and salt to the potatoes. Mix gently with a fork until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Place the Panko breadcrumbs on a shallow plate.
- Scoop about 1/3 cup of the potato mixture and form it into a patty, about 1/2 inch thick. Gently press both sides of the patty into the Panko breadcrumbs to coat evenly. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Heat the butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. You need enough fat to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Carefully place the potato cakes into the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Work in batches if necessary.
- Cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side, until the potato cakes are golden brown and crispy on the exterior.
- Remove the finished cakes from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve immediately as an easy potato side dish or snack.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped chives or green onions to the potato mixture.
- If your mashed potatoes are very soft, you can add 1 extra tablespoon of flour to help them bind.
- To make these cheesy potato cakes even crispier, you can finish them in an air fryer at 375 degrees F for 5 minutes after pan-frying.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 45