Have an abundance of leftover mashed potatoes? No problem! Make this easy 5 ingredient leftover mashed potato pancakes for a quick snack or appetizer that everyone will love!
Did your mom ever make you potato pancakes from leftover mashed potatoes growing up? Mine did and I loved it! I often forget about some easy childhood staples we grew up with that were just so so good. This is one of them.
And now is the season when we will have an abundance of mashed potatoes! From Thanksgiving to Christmas to all the holiday parties - mashed potatoes are a staple side dish!
But if you have a ton of leftovers, don't let them go to waste! Make delicious pancakes instead that are the perfect savory side dish or afternoon snack. They have the same cozy comfort as a big bowl of mashed potatoes but in an elevated form. You will love them!
Ingredients Needed
- Leftover Mashed Potatoes
- Flour
- Egg
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter
This recipe is easy to adjust based on the quantity that you have. This is based on using 2 cups of potatoes but can easily be doubled, tripled, or more if needed. And the good news - these freeze so well! Read below for how to freeze them so that no leftovers go to waste!
Reader Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I replaced half the flour with seasoned bread crumbs and they came out so delicious! Will definitely make again next time we have leftovers."
- ANNALISSA
How to Make
- In a large bowl, mix cold leftover masked potatoes, flour, egg, salt, and pepper. Depending on the consistency of the potatoes, you may need more flour to bind them. Start with ½ cup and then add ¼ cup at a time if needed. Mix until well combined.
- Place a large skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of butter and let melt. Place a scoop of the potato mixture in the skillet and flatten slightly. Repeat until the pan is full but not crowded and touching. Cook on one side for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook on the other side for 3-4 minutes until the same and warmed all the way through.
- Remove from the skillet and repeat with the rest of the mixture. Turn the heat down to medium-low if the skillet gets too hot and add more butter when needed.
- Enjoy hot and fresh with butter on top!
Variations and Substitutions
Have fun with some flavor combos too. If you want to switch up the taste of these savory pancakes, consider adding some of the following combinations to the batter mix before frying for a fun new twist!
- Loaded baked Potato: add bacon bites, shredded cheddar, and chives to the batter.
- Cheesy Goodness: add a combo of different cheeses you have in the fridge to use up what you have and add a cheesy element to this recipe.
Recipe
Leftover Mashed Potato Pancakes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 9 large or 18 small 1x
Description
Have an abundance of leftover mashed potatoes? No problem! Make this easy 5 ingredient mashed potato cakes for a quick snack or appetizer that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Leftover Mashed Potatoes
- ½ Cup Flour + more if needed
- 1 Egg
- ¼-½ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼-½ Teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ C Butter - for cooking and topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix cold leftover masked potatoes, flour, egg, salt, and pepper. Depending on the consistency of the potatoes, you may need more flour to bind them. Start with ½ cup and then add ¼ cup at a time if needed. Mix until well combined.
- Place a large skillet on the stove over medium heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of butter and let melt. Place a scoop of the potato mixture in the skillet and flatten slightly. Repeat until the pan is full but not crowded and touching. Cook on one side for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook on the other side for 3-4 minutes until the same and warmed all the way through.
- Remove from the skillet and repeat with the rest of the mixture. Turn the heat down to medium-low if the skillet gets too hot and add more butter when needed.
- Enjoy hot and fresh with butter on top!
Notes
- Try some flavor add-ins like cheddar cheese, bacon, and chives that can be added to the potato mixture if desired.
- Depending on your mashed potatoes, you may not need much salt and pepper. Start with ¼ teaspoon of each then add more if needed.
To Make Ahead and Freeze:
- Scoop mashed potato pancake batter onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten out like you are going to fry them in the skillet. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to freeze solid. Place in a freezer-safe container once frozen individually and store for up to 6 months.
- To make: place pancake straight from the freezer in a skillet over medium-low heat with butter. Cook on one side for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and a crispy outer layer. Flip and fry for another 2-3 minutes until that side is golden brown and cooked all the way through. Repeat with as many as desired.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sides
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake
- Calories: 87
- Sugar: 0.9 g
- Sodium: 159.7 mg
- Fat: 3.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.1 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 2.4 g
- Cholesterol: 27.3 mg
I replaced half the flour with seasoned bread crumbs and they came out so delicious! Will definitely make again next time we have leftovers.
Oh good to hear that Annalissa - thank you for making and telling me!