These mashed potato patties are loaded with bacon and cheese and are so easy to make. Made with only seven ingredients, they make a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes You're going to love these easy, delicious fried potato cakes.
Who doesn't like mashed potatoes, bacon, cheese, and crispy fried onions? This is one of my guilty pleasures that's for sure. I hope everyone has the chance to try these potato pancakes at least once!
If you love this leftover mashed potato patties recipe you're going to love these garlic mashed potato cakes! Serve them up as an appetizer or side dish along with this baked tomato and eggs recipe.
Why You Will Love These Mashed Potato Burgers
- Budget-friendly: Burgers made with potatoes are a cost-effective option. You can save some money on your grocery bills while still enjoying a satisfying meal.
- Versatility: Mashed potato burgers can be customized with your favorite toppings, spices, and seasonings. Feel free to get creative with your own unique spin on the dish.
- Great for leftovers: Mashed potato burgers are an excellent way to utilize leftover potatoes. Simply repurpose your mashed potatoes into delicious patties.
- Perfect for all occasions: Whether it's a family dinner, a picnic, or a party, mashed potato burgers cater to all taste buds and dietary preferences.
- Freezer-friendly: You can make a batch of mashed potato burgers and freeze them for later use. Just thaw, reheat, and enjoy a scrumptious meal in minutes.
Ingredients
This recipe only needs a few simple ingredients. You may already have them in your kitchen right now or you can grab them at your local grocery store. Be sure to check the recipe card for the exact amounts of each one.
- Leftover Mashed Potatoes: Yukon gold and Russet potatoes are best but remember sweet potato work too!
- Cheese: Use your favorite variety as they all work great!
- Bacon: Adds a delicious savory, salty flavor.
- Crispy Fried Onions: For a little crunch and flavor.
- Egg: Added to help hold the potato mixture together.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the outer crust of each patty a bit of crispness.
- Vegetable Oil: Use your favorite olive oil or vegetable oil for frying.
Substitutions and Variations
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this (Alternate Keyword here)
- Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, homemade hot pepper sauce, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the potato mixture for a bit of heat.
- Add Herbs and Spices: Feel free to mix in some fresh herbs, onion powder, paprika, and garlic powder to the potato mixture for more flavor.
How to Make Mashed Potato Patties
Making these fried potato cakes is almost the same as making a hamburger. You'll just mix and fry. It's simple! The highlights are here, but you'll find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Combine all the ingredients except the oil in a bowl and mix well.
- Divide up the potato mixture into 6-8 portions and shape into a ball.
- Flatten each out into a patty.
- Dredge each one in flour on both sides.
- Cook them in hot oil until both sides are golden brown.
- Serve your fried potato cakes with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped bacon, and green onions.
⭐️ Hint: Transfer your fried potato cakes to a plate lined with paper towels after cooking to drain off excess oil.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy these turkey mashed potato stuffing burgers.
Storage
- Refrigerate: Cool completely, then transfer to an air-tight container and store for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Flash freeze them laid out on a baking tray. Once frozen, store them in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the burgers, but don't fry them. Then, fry when ready to serve. You can fry them from frozen, as well. Just add some extra cooking time.
- Reheat: Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees F until warmed through. You can also pan fry them for 3 to 4 minutes per side until heated through and crispy.
What to Serve with Mashed Potato Patties
These delicious fried potato cakes are fantastic with all kinds of recipes. Here are a few ideas for some inspiration.
- Enjoy it with this cucumber salad, bell pepper salad, fresh green salad, or roasted vegetables.
- Serve them with a sunny side up or over-easy fried egg like with our Breakfast Burgers.
- They also make a great appetizer or side dish for meals, especially beef. Try it with instant pot beef short ribs or garlic balsamic steak.
Tips
Making mashed potato patties might seem like a daunting task, but with these tips, you'll be able to create a tasty and unique dish that's sure to impress your guests.
Here are some tips to help you create the perfect mashed potato burger.
- Choose the right potatoes. For a creamy and smooth mashed potato texture, use Yukon Gold, Russet, or Idaho potatoes with higher starch content.
- Season the potatoes well. Don't skimp on seasoning! Salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic can make a world of difference in the flavor of your mashed potatoes. You can also add other seasonings such as paprika or onion powder based on your preferences.
- Avoid over-mashing. Over-mashing the potatoes can result in a gluey texture. Gently mash them using a potato masher or fork, and avoid using electric mixers or food processors.
- Shape the patties evenly. When forming the mashed potato burger patties, ensure that they are uniform in size and thickness. This will guarantee even cooking and a better presentation.
- Refrigerate before cooking. Pop your formed potato patties in the fridge for about 30 minutes to firm up. This will help them hold their shape when cooking.
FAQ
Yes, of course! Cook them for 12-15 minutes at 400°F. Be sure to flip the patties halfway through to ensure even cooking. Always check for a golden-brown and crispy exterior before removing it from the air fryer. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your patties.
Yes, of course! To make baked mashed potato patties, cook them for 20 minutes in a 425°F preheated oven. Flip them over halfway through the cook time, until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Yes, you can use store-bought mashed potatoes to save time, but it's essential to ensure they are thick and well-seasoned. For an even better flavor, consider adding your own seasonings and ingredients.
The secret to preventing potato patties from falling apart is in the binding agent. The binding agent can be eggs, breadcrumbs, or even cooked rice, which keeps the patties together while cooking. Another tip is to chill the patties in the refrigerator before cooking, as this helps maintain their shape during the cooking process.
Yes, you can substitute the eggs with a combination of breadcrumbs and a liquid, such as milk or a non-dairy alternative to help bind the ingredients together and provide the necessary moisture for the patties to cook well.
More Easy Potato Recipes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Mashed Potato Patties
Ingredients
- 4 cups leftover mashed potatoes - approximately
- ¾ - 1 cup cheese, shredded to taste
- 10 slices bacon optional
- ¾ cup crispy fried onions, finely crushed
- 1 large egg
- 3 tblsp all-purpose flour plus ¾ cup
- ¼ cup vegetable oil for pan-frying
Optional For Serving
- ketchup
- sour cream
- green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Chop and cook the bacon. Place on paper towel.
- Combine the mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, eggs crispy fried onions and 3 tablespoons of flour in a mixing bowl.
- Roll approximately 6-8 balls of the mixture and then flatten into 1 inch thick “burgers.”
- Put the ¾ cup of flour in a bowl and then dredge the burgers in the flour. Heat about ¼ cup of oil in a large skillet. Using medium heat fry the burgers in the oil until each side is brown and crispy which usually takes about 4 minutes. Add more oil if you need to.
- Transfer patties to a paper towel covered plate. Serve with whatever you want – sour cream, more cheese, more bacon, green onions, ketchup or anything else you can think of. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published January 2016. It has been updated with new images and content.
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