Potato Pancakes with Leftover Mashed Potatoes

Jump to Recipe

Raise your hand if you simultaneously love and loathe leftovers. Luckily, this recipe for potato pancakes is the perfect way to give leftover mashed potatoes new life!

Leftovers are sometimes the last thing you want to think about after eating a big meal. Loathe.

Leftovers have to be eaten or stored quickly. Loathe.

Leftovers can take up valuable space in the fridge. Loathe.

But… leftovers are extra food that you don’t have to prepare again. Love.

Leftovers sometimes taste even better the next day. Love.

Leftovers allow you to transform an old dish into something new. Love.

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe is one that will move you into the ‘love leftovers’ camp. Potato Pancakes which is the perfect way to use leftover mashed potatoes that are staring you in the face every time you open up the fridge. It’s not just a recipe – it’s a problem solver.

And really, this potato pancake recipe is so good you don’t have to use leftover mashed potatoes. It doesn’t have to just be a ‘leftovers recipe’ – it can stand on its own as a side dish (especially for the holidays like Easter and Christmas) that you planned to make ahead of time, not just in an ‘oh no what do I do with all of these mashed potatoes’ moment of panic in the kitchen.

In fact, I plan to make them for a side dish this Christmas. If you’re reading this with time to spare before Christmas this year, I suggest you do the same – you won’t regret it. Potatoes don’t have to be the same ol’ thing every year, and this potato pancake dish makes them fun and exciting for Christmas. I’d like to think that these potato pancakes are an upgrade to traditional mashed potatoes… mashed potatoes 2.0, perhaps.

These potato pancakes really do taste best with mashed potatoes that have aged two or three days, so all you have to do is make the mashed potatoes ahead of time and let them sit in the fridge. Easy peasy.

Ingredient Notes

• mashed potatoes – use cold leftover mashed potatoes for the best result
• green onions (scallions) – use finely diced green onions for this,
• cornstarch – helps thicken the potatoes for easier shaping. If not gluten free, you can use plain all purpose flour.
• Italian seasoning – This gives added flavor.
• egg – as the binder.
• salt – add salt to taste.
• olive oil – for frying or spraying.

How To Make Potato Pancakes From Mashed Potatoes

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Whether you’re using actual leftovers or ‘faux leftovers,’ here’s how to make crispy Potato Pancakes with leftovers. They are sooo easy (especially after all of that hard holiday cooking) you may just cry tears of joy.

1. Start with the star of the Potato Pancakes with Leftover Mashed Potatoes show: mashed potatoes. (For easy mashed potatoes, use my Instant Pot Mashed Potato recipe.)  Add them to a large bowl.
2. Add all other ingredients, and mix until combined. If your mixture is a little loose, then you can add a tbsp. of flour at a time till it can hold its shape when formed into a patty.
3. Split the mixture into 12 equal portions and form the mixture into patties.
4. Over medium heat, heat olive oil in a pan. Place patties in a single layer with space in between them for turning. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
5. Remove cooked potato pancakes and keep them in a warm place until you finish frying the remaining pancakes.
6. Serve your potato pancakes with things like chutney, sour cream, or scrambled eggs.

Air Fryer Potato Pancakes

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

Prefer to make Air Fryer Potato Pancakes instead? Follow these easy steps;

1. Add leftover potatoes into a large bowl.
2. Add all other ingredients to the mashed potatoes and mix until combined. If your mixture is a little loose, then you can add a tbsp of flour at a time till it can hold its shape when formed into a patty.
3. Split the potato mixture into 12 equal portions and shape them into potato patties.
4. Preheat Air Fryer and place the potato patties into the Air Fryer Basket.
5. Air fry for about 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t crowd the pan or the basket of the air fryer. You need to leave plenty of space between each patty for the hot air to circulate for maximum crispiness and even cooking.
• Thinner patties make crispier cakes.
• Spritz some oil on these if you want them to be golden crispy.
• If you are interested, you can learn how to Preheat Your Air Fryer. or when Do You Oil an AirFryer.
• Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. I recommend starting with less cook time, checking for doneness, then adding more time as needed.

Delicious Variations

• Make cheesy – add in some shredded cheese.
• Add heat – with some cayenne, red pepper flakes, or chipotle.
• Add color – with some finely grated veggies, that have been squeezed dry of any excess liquid.

Storage

• Store – leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze – once cooled completely, freeze patties in a single layer on a baking sheet till frozen. Then transfer into a labeled ziplock bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat – in the air fryer for a couple of minutes.

FAQs

More Recipes You Might Like

• Crockpot Mashed Potatoes.
• Garlic Smashed Potatoes.
• Cinnamon Maple Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potato.

More Air Fryer Recipes

I have got a lot more delicious Air Fryer Recipes that you’ll like. Like these Air Fryer Tater Tots, and delicious Air Fryer Frozen Hash Browns. Other veggies you’ll also like include Air Fryer Cauliflower, these great as a snack or side Air Fry Zucchini Fries, and lovely Air Fryer Beets.

Serving Suggestions

• Instant Pot Whole Chicken.
• Air Fryer Turkey Breast.
• Air Fryer Green Beans.

Weight Watchers Points

There is 1 Blue Plan SmartPoint in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my potato pancake post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.