Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside potato cakes, topped with melted cheese and fresh herbs. These are a delicious way to use leftover mashed potatoes or can be made with freshly cooked potatoes.
Ingredients:
- 2-3 cups mashed potatoes (cold, preferably leftover)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 41 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (more if needed)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2-4 tablespoons cooking oil or butter, for frying
- 21 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the cold mashed potatoes, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, and flour. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Mix Well: Mix all the ingredients together until well combined. If the mixture seems too wet to handle, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- Form Cakes: Take a spoonful of the potato mixture and form it into a small, round cake (about 2-3 inches in diameter and 21 inch thick). Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Heat Oil/Butter: Heat the cooking oil or butter 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. You may need to work in batches.
- Add Cheese: Once the potato cakes are golden brown on both sides, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of each cake in the skillet.
- Melt Cheese: Cover the skillet and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the cheesy potato cakes from the skillet and arrange them on a serving plate. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives. Serve hot as a side dish, appetizer, or light meal.
Notes:
- For extra flavor, you can add finely chopped onions, garlic powder, or other spices to the potato mixture.
- If you don’t have leftover mashed potatoes, you can boil and mash fresh potatoes. Make sure they are completely cooled before using in this recipe.
- The amount of flour needed may vary depending on the moisture content of your mashed potatoes. Add just enough to make the mixture easy to handle.
- You can also bake these potato cakes instead of frying. Place them on a greased baking sheet, brush with melted butter or oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. Then, top with cheese and bake for a few more minutes until melted.