Description
These crispy and golden fried potato cakes are a delicious way to transform leftover mashed potatoes into a satisfying snack or side dish. Lightly seasoned and pan-fried until perfectly crisp on the outside while soft inside, they’re garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Potato Cake Mixture
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Frying and Garnish
- Oil (for frying, such as vegetable or canola oil)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cold mashed potatoes, beaten egg, 1/4 cup flour, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is well incorporated. If it feels too loose or wet to shape, gradually add more flour one tablespoon at a time until the mixture is stiff enough to hold a shape.
- Heat oil: Pour enough oil into a large skillet to cover the bottom about 1/8 inch deep. Heat the skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot but not smoking, ideal for frying the cakes.
- Shape potato cakes: Using a spoon or scoop, portion about 1/4 cup of the potato mixture per cake into the hot oil. Gently flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spatula to form patties.
- Fry cakes: Fry the potato cakes for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Cook until the bottoms are golden brown and crispy, then carefully flip to cook the other side similarly. Adjust heat if necessary to avoid burning.
- Drain and serve: Once both sides are crisp and golden, transfer the potato cakes onto paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh parsley for a fresh, aromatic touch.
Notes
- If the mashed potatoes are too wet, adding a little more flour helps to bind the mixture better.
- Use oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil for frying to get a crispy texture.
- These potato cakes are best served fresh and hot to enjoy the crispy exterior and soft interior.
- Leftover cakes can be reheated in a skillet or oven to restore crispiness.
- For variation, you can add finely chopped onions or cheese into the potato mixture before frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: fried potato cakes, mashed potato recipe, crispy potato patties, comfort food, side dish
