Mashed potato cakes

Mashed Potato Cakes

This super side dish may have started out as more of an idea than a recipe. It’s a simple and basic mixture made with simple ingredients and leftover mashed potatoes. It has a bazillion possible variations and has been around as long as the mashed potato.

Sometimes people call them pancakes, patties or cakes. Whatever you want to call them is fine, just don’t forget about these when you have bowl of left over mashed potatoes in the fridge.

Here’s what you need to know…

• Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes can be as simple or elaborate as you want. I still love them with just the basics: cold mashed potatoes mixed with diced sweet onion dredged in seasoned flour, dipped in beaten eggs, then again in the flour.

• These are best cooked in a nonstick skillet lightly greased with vegetable oil. A well seasoned cast iron skillet works well too.

• Don’t flip the potato cakes too many times. I try to turn them only once so they won’t spread. When the potatoes get hot it’s harder to hold their shape.

• Fried Potato Cakes stay molten hot in the middle for a long time. Be careful with your first bite!

Common mistakes to avoid when making potato cakes

• Hot or warm mashed potatoes will be too loose to form into a ball. Use cold mashed potatoes for the best texture.

• Don’t add too many additional ingredients which will make it hard for the mashed potato mixture to hold together.

• Cook one side at a time until deep golden brown. Don’t turn the potato cakes more than once if you can help it.

• Allow the extra egg to drip off before transferring to the flour again.

• Don’t over grease the pan. For a light crisp crust there’s no need to deep fry the potatoes.

• Wipe out the skillet between batches for the best flavor and appearance.

What to serve with Potato Cakes

Almost anything goes well with Mashed Potato Cakes. Roast turkey or beef, stews and fish are all great with this simple side. Anything you’d serve with mashed potatoes would be great.

Serve these for a hearty breakfast with scrambled eggs or with a fried egg on top.

Add-ins and variations

As mentioned above, Mashed Potato Cakes are easily adapted to any of your favorite add-ins and toppings.

Think loaded potatoes or distinctly flavored mashed potatoes. These ingredients can be mixed in or used as a topping:

• crisp fried bacon, minced
• top with a fried egg for a hearty breakfast
• shredded cheddar cheese
• Dijon mustard
• ranch dressing
• dollop of sour cream
• gravy
• garlic powder or onion powder
• sliced green onions
• minced parsley
• finely chopped chives
• paprika
• cayenne pepper
• salsa
• ketchup
• hot sauce

Being a child of the depression, my mom used all leftovers for something. Nothing went to waste. If she had a spoonful of corn, peas or green beans she would drop them all together in a freezer container with the other leftover vegetables. When it was time to make soup she’d bring out the frozen layers of vegetables and add it to the pot. Nothing edible was thrown away and it all tasted great to us.

Thanks for the great recipes mom. I loved these as a kid and still do!

More great potato recipes

We love potatoes in just about any form from french fries to pierogis. We add them to our soups, stews and casseroles or eat them plain, baked or boiled!