These garlic mashed potato cakes make a fabulous way to use leftover mashed potatoes. Instead of wasting, it turns your leftovers into a tasty new treat!
Garlic Mashed Potato Patties are perfect for a hearty appetizer, a side dish, or enjoy them as a nice breakfast meal. They cook up creamy and warm on the inside and crispy outside.
This was inspired by my KFC Mashed Potato Bowl Copycat recipe on this site, and pairs well with any of these yummy corn side dishes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- A versatile, flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a side dish or appetizer any time of the day, from breakfast to dinner.
- Only a few common ingredients required, many of which you probably already have in your cupboard.
- A delicious way to use up leftover mashed potatoes in the fridge.
- Comfort food with the perfect blend of fluffy, smooth, creamy, and crispy textures that are irresistible.
- Family-friendly side dish that kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
The following are the basic ingredients needed to make mashed potato fritters.
- Leftover Mashed Potatoes: Use starchy potatoes, like Russet or Yukon Gold, which are perfect for mashing.
- Green Onion: They have a milder flavor which works great in potato fritters but you don't have them you can use a white, yellow, or red onion instead.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor! You can also try it with air fryer roasted garlic for a slightly milder flavor.
- Veggies: Carrots and corn are added to this mashed potato cake recipe.
- Egg: The egg works like glue to hold everything together.
- Cornflakes: Crushed cornflakes give these patties their extra crunchy exterior.
- Oil: You can use olive oil or a favorite vegetable oil.
- Sour Cream: Served as a topping or dip for your potato cakes.
See the recipe card below for the right quantities for all the ingredients.
Substitutions and Variations
Garlic mashed potato fritters can easily be adjusted to suit your preferences or to what you have available in your pantry. Here are some ideas to customize your potato cakes:
- Add Cheese: Add grated parmesan or cheddar cheese to the potato mixture.
- Add Flavor: Italian seasonings, dill, and parsley work great.
- Add Bacon: Crisp and crumbled bacon or finely chopped ham makes a great addition to these fritters.
- Mashed Cauliflower: Substitute half of the mashed potatoes with mashed cauliflower for a lighter carb option.
- Spicy: Add a bit of chili pepper flakes, diced jalapeno pepper, a bit of jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the potato mixture for a some heat.
How to Make Mashed Potato Cakes
These are just the basic steps to help make this recipe come alive. Be sure to check the recipe card for all the details before getting started.
- Combine a cup of the crushed cornflakes with the mashed potatoes, onions, garlic, corn, carrots and egg.
- Stir until well combined.
- Shape the potato mixture into round patties that are about 4 inches long and ¾-inch thick.
- Place them into the cornflake mix and turn to coat both sides.
- Lay the coated mashed potato patty on a tray or plate and repeat until all the patties have been dipped.
- Cook the patties in hot oil in a frying pan heat some oil on medium heat.
- Flip them over when the first side is golden brown and cook on the other side.
- Place the potato cakes on a baking sheet once cooked and serve them with some sour cream or other tasty dip.
Hint: If possible, use starchy Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes for creamy mashed potatoes that are not too dry or runny. Add in some butter, milk, and salt as needed to help achieve this. So if you love this kind of recipe, you will really enjoy our Supreme Mashed Potato Casserole.
Storage
Make Ahead: Prepare the potato cakes according to the recipe and allow them to completely cool. Store them with a piece of parchment paper between each cake to prevent them from sticking to one another.
Refrigerator: Store leftover potato cakes in the fridge inside an airtight container for up to three days after making them.
Freezer: Freeze these potato cakes for up to 2 months. Arrange them in a single layer on top of a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. After they're frozen, transfer them into a freezer-safe container or bag and store. Thaw them out in the fridge overnight before reheating.
REHEAT: Reheat them in the oven or on the stovetop. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place your cakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Heat in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until they're heated through and crispy on the outside. For the stove, use a non-stick or cast-iron skillet with a bit of oil or butter to heat the patties over medium heat. Cook them for around 3-4 minutes on each side so they are golden brown.
What to Serve With Mashed Potato Patties
Consider pairing this amazing dish with another equally amazing treat.
- Serve them as a delicious side dish with lemon pepper pork chops or boursin chicken.
- Enjoy them with a scrumptious dipping sauces, like sour cream, or a bacon aioli.
- They're great with other tasty party appetizers such as Ritz cracker sandwiches or pizza pinwheels.
Tips
Here are a few tip to making garlic mashed potato cakes a success.
- For a nice golden brown crust and a fully cooked center make sure the oil is hot before cooking.
- Always use cold, leftover mashed potatoes for a firmer texture. This will ensure they hold together better during cooking.
- Use a scoop or measuring spoon to form uniform-sized potato cakes. This will help them cook more evenly.
- Cool the potato cakes in the refrigerator after mixing and shaping for at least half an hour will help them hold their shape together during frying.
FAQ
Do you have a question about this recipe? Here are some of commonly asked questions about it.
Use them to make these versatile potato cakes and serve them as an appetizer, side dish, or even a light meal. You can pair them with a dipping sauce, such as sour cream or a garlic-herb aioli, or alongside your favorite protein and vegetables for a complete meal.
Is it ok to bake potato cakes rather than frying them?
Of course, the less oil the healthier. You can bake them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes. Flip them halfway through the baking process to brown each side.
Can I cook potato cakes in an air fryer?
Yes. It takes about 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees F in an air fryer. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your potato cakes, so keep an eye on them in your air fryer.
What causes mashed potato cakes to fall apart?
They can fall apart due to a lack of binding ingredients, an uneven mixture, or too much moisture. Make sure you use the right proportions of egg, corn flakes, and mashed potatoes. If your mixture is too wet or dry, try adding small amounts of corn flakes or milk accordingly to get the right consistency.
More Potato Recipes
Do you like potatoes? Here some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Garlic Mashed Potato Cakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups cornflakes crushed and divided
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced or 1 ½ to 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ cup green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup shredded carrots diced or mashed work great too
- ½ cup frozen corn
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup vegetable oil for frying
Serving
- sour cream or greek yogurt
Instructions
- Crush all of the cornflakes. Set aside 1 cup to add to potatoes. Place remaining 2 cups of crushed cornflakes on a plate. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add 1 cup crushed cornflakes, mashed potatoes, onions, carrots, corn and egg. Combine.
- Make patties that are ¾-inch thick and about 4 inches across.
- Press patties into cornflake mixture until totally coated. Set aside.
- Heat oil in frying pan on medium heat until you can flick a drop of water in it and it dances.
- Place patties in oil for approximately 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. When the potato cakes are done, use a slotted spatula to transfer them from the pan to the plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels. Allow the potato cakes to drain the excess oil.
- Serve with sour cream.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published August 2016. It's been updated with new content and images.
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