These Cheesy Potato Cakes are a delicious and versatile dish made from mashed potatoes mixed with cheese and seasonings, then pan-fried or air-fried until golden brown and crispy. They are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes or can be made fresh for a satisfying side dish, appetizer, or light meal. The melted cheese inside adds a gooey and flavorful center.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mashed potatoes (cold, leftover or freshly made)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or breadcrumbs)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or chives)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste, depending on your mashed potatoes)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 2-3 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable, canola, or olive oil) or cooking spray, for cooking
Instructions:
For Pan-Frying:
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, shredded cheese, flour (or breadcrumbs), beaten egg, chopped parsley (or chives), garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape into Cakes: Take about 1/4 cup of the potato mixture and form it into a small, round patty (about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick). Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Heat Oil: Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook Potato Cakes: Carefully place the potato cakes in the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain: Remove the potato cakes from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with extra fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
For Air-Frying:
- Combine Ingredients: Follow step 1 above to combine all ingredients.
- Shape into Cakes: Follow step 2 above to shape the potato mixture into patties.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Air Fry Potato Cakes: Place the potato cakes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. You may need to cook in batches.
- Cook: Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Serve hot, garnished with extra fresh parsley or chives, if desired.
Tips and Notes:
- Mashed Potato Consistency: If your mashed potatoes are very wet, you may need to add a little more flour or breadcrumbs to help bind the cakes.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to use other cheeses like cheddar jack, mozzarella, or a spicy cheese for a different flavor.
- Herb Variations: Experiment with other fresh herbs like dill or thyme.
- Seasoning: Adjust the seasonings to your taste.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the potato cakes ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Cook them as directed when ready to serve.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve cheesy potato cakes as a side dish with eggs, meat, or vegetables. They also make a great snack or light lunch. You can serve them with a dollop of sour cream or a dipping sauce of your choice.