Potato cakes are a perfect way to use up left-over mashed potatoes. There are many different names for these delicious fried potato pancakes.
Known as tattie scones in Scotland, potato scones in the Isle of Man, or fadge in parts of Northern Ireland, these savory, fried potato patties make a great side dish.
Table of Contents
- The Best Potato Mash for Potato Cakes
- Irish Potato Pancakes
- Storing Potato Cakes
- Ingredients for Fadge or Potato Cakes
- Ingredient Tips, Additions and Substitutions
- Directions for Making Potato Cakes
- Make the Potato Cake Mixture
- Form the Potato Cakes
- Cooking Irish Potato Cakes in a Skillet
- Recipe Card for Irish Potato Cakes
The Best Potato Mash for Potato Cakes
Whenever I cook mashed potatoes I make extra, because I love potato cakes. However, a word of warning. If you like your mashed potatoes really ‘soupy’ and add lots of extra milk and butter, it will be very hard to form potato cakes without adding many cups of extra flour. They lose their distinctive flavor when too much flour is added.
I find store-bought mashed potatoes don’t work too well for this recipe. They are laden with extra milk and butter. Also, American potatoes tend to be a little more watery and than Irish varieties. In Ireland we love starchy, ‘floury’ potatoes. We often refer to potatoes as balls of flour.
So the moral of the story is don’t make your mashed potatoes too loose if you plan to make traditional Irish mashed potato cakes.
Irish Potato Pancakes
Boxty is an alternative potato pancake in Ireland, but it is made with a combination of raw grated potatoes and mashed potatoes.
I even serve my boxty potato pancakes with a savory chicken and mushroom filling.
Storing Potato Cakes
I recommend eating potato cakes once they are cooked.
If you would like to make them in advance, prepare the dough and cut out the potato cakes. Store them in the fridge in an airtight container until you’re ready to fry them up.
Once they’re cooked they do not freeze well. They tend to get soggy in the freezer and their texture changes.
Uncooked potato cakes can be frozen for storage. Place them on a baking pan and flash freeze them individually. Once they’re frozen they can be placed together in a freezer bag or container and frozen for up to 3 months.
They should be thawed before being fried up. They’ll turn out well, but just not quite as tasty as the unfrozen fresh ones. The potatoes lose a little texture during the freezing process.
So let’s take a look at how I make this traditional Irish side dish.
Ingredients for Fadge or Potato Cakes
Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need. Check out the printable recipe below the instructions section, where you can choose between US and Metric equivalents for exact quantities.
- mashed potatoes
- all-purpose flour
- butter
- onion powder
- teaspoon salt
- large beaten egg
Ingredient Tips, Additions and Substitutions
These ingredients are for a basic and traditional Irish mashed potato cake recipe. I don’t add any extras such as onions, garlic or herbs for this plain potato cake.
You can use Kosher salt if you wish and a little white or ground black pepper adds some nice seasoning.
But you can add a little magic if you wish. The options for tasty additions are endless.
Bacon bits and cheese are wonderful additions. Cheddar cheese or Parmesan cheese work great with bacon.
Fresh thyme and diced fried onions are amazing together.Chopped green onions with cheddar cheese make a flavorful combination, or you can get really adventurous and add a little curry powder. The sky’s the limit.
If you add a liquidy ingredient such as sour cream, use a little less beaten egg to bind your potato cakes together.
Below you’ll find step-by-step photographic instructions for how to make these delicious potato patties.
But if you prefer to learn through a video tutorial here’s a quick one minute review of all the steps …
Directions for Making Potato Cakes
And here are my photo instructions. You’ll also find a printable recipe at the end of the post. You can print the recipe with or without images, whatever suits you.
Make the Potato Cake Mixture
Add the mashed potatoes to a large mixing bowl. I like to take the potatoes out of the fridge about 30 minutes before making these cakes, since when they are really cold I find it harder to form the dough.
Add ¼ cup of the flour, reserving the rest of the flour for kneading the dough.
Next add ¼ teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of onion powder.
My grandmother would have told me:
“It’s far from onion powder you were raised.”
But I just like the subtle hint of flavor it adds.
Feel free to add pepper. I sometimes use white pepper since I just don’t like to see black flecks of pepper in my cakes. Usually I make them pepper free.
You can season these cakes anyway you choose. I sometimes add curry powder, or chives. The possibilities are endless. Today I thought it best to share my basic recipe, but feel free to experiment with the flavor.
Next I take out my trusted potato masher and use it to combine the flour and seasonings throughout the mash.
Add 1 ounce of melted butter, and half of a beaten egg. The amount of liquid needed varies depending upon the original consistency of the mashed potatoes you are using.
A typical Scottish tattie scone recipe does not call for egg, using only melted butter to bind the ingredients together. However, I like to use just a little egg. I find the dough is easier to work when I do this.
Use your hand to form a dough ball.
Add extra flour as needed. Too much flour changes the texture of the dough, so don’t overdo it.
Form the Potato Cakes
Turn the dough out onto a floured rolling surface. I sprinkle the second ¼ cup of flour for the kneading process.
Knead the dough gently and press it out into a circular shape about ½ inch thick.
You might want to use a rolling pin, but I find this dough very easy to work and just press it flat with the palm of my hand.
Next I use a scone cutter to shape my patties.
Alternatively you can just cut the big circle into 8 triangular pieces, by first halving it, then quartering it, and then cutting each quarter in half.
But I just like these little circular patties – probably because that’s the way my mom made potato cakes.
Re-knead the dough remnants and rework into a flat circular shape to cut out more rounds. This recipe yields between 8 and 10 cakes depending upon how thickly form them.
Cooking Irish Potato Cakes in a Skillet
Next melt the butter in the bottom of a large skillet.
I love the flavor that butter adds to these mashed potato patties. If you prefer you can use half vegetable oil, and half butter for frying them.
I like to use my cast iron skillet. I think the cakes brown more evenly in it.
Add 5 to 6 potato cakes to the pan, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Don’t try to fry them all at once by crowding the pan. Reduce the heat to medium low.
Fry them for 8 to 10 minutes on each side.
It is best to cook them slowly over gentle heat. Otherwise the outside crust will burn before the flour in the center has fully cooked. A taste of raw flour can ruin this recipe very easily.
Peak under a cake by lifting it with a spatula to see if it is ready to flip.
Once they have a lovely golden brown outer crust, turn them and cook on the other side for an additional 8 to 10 minutes.
Serve potato cakes hot for lunch, as a side for chops, salmon or ham.
The possibilities are endless. In Ireland they are often served for breakfast as part of a traditional Irish fry, with bacon, sausages, eggs, mushrooms and fried tomatoes.
Recipe Card for Irish Potato Cakes
Here is the printable recipe card for your kitchen files.
Irish Potato Cakes
Ingredients
- 3 cups mashed potatoes
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 ounces butter half melted for dough and half for frying potato cakes.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ large egg beaten
Instructions
- Add the mashed potatoes to a large mixing bowl.
- Add ¼ cup of the flour, the onion powder and salt. Mash together.
- Add one ounce of melted butter and half of a beaten egg. Mix together to form a dough. Add additional flour as necessary.
- Transfer the potato dough onto a floured surface. Knead lightly and flatten into a circle between ½ inch high.
- Use a round cookie or scone cutter to cut out potato cakes. Re-knead the dough remnants to cut out more circular potato cakes.
- Melt 1 ounce of butter in a large skillet. Add the potato cakes. Fry on medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes on each side, until they are a golden brown color.
- Serve immediately as a side dish for grilled fish, pork chops or any main course of choice.
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
I hope you all enjoy this little taste of Ireland and Scotland.
Here are some Cheesy Irish Potato Cakes I made for Halloween.
Happy cooking from my home to yours.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad –Irish American Mom
Pronunciation – slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad – rhymes with parade
And finally, here are some more recipes and ramblings you may enjoy….
Raspberry and Cream Chocolate Roulade
I’ve also created some Pinterest friendly graphics if you’d like to share this recipe with friends…..
Here’s another image you may like to pin….
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- Traditional Irish Soups To Savor
- How To Make The Best Irish Vegetable Soup
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- Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes That Will Make Your Family Feast Extra Special
Bonnie Banters
They do make a great side and are a wonderful way to use leftover mashed potatoes! Your cakes look perfect and bet they taste as good!
Irish American Mom
Bonnie – I think they taste extra good when you fry them in butter rather than oil. My husband’s family are from Co. Donegal so they refer to these little potato cakes as ‘”tattie scone” like in Scotland. Whenever he sees leftover mashed potato in the fridge he usually says – “how about some tattie scone tonight?”
Laura Worsey
Enjoyed your blog, I too am Irish(co leitrim) but living in UK and an English mummy!! Am now starving having read through how to do the potato cakes, Im off to raid my fridge!!
Irish American Mom
Hi Laura – I am so glad you found my website. Although you are in England and I am in Ireland, we probably have a lot in common, with shared experiences living away from home. It is early morning here, and after reading your comment, I got to thinking how lovely potato cakes would be for breakfast. I’ll have to see if I have any leftover mash in the fridge too.
Take care, and thanks again for stopping by.
Mairéad
Elizabeth
Ahh, one of my favorite Irish foods. Looking very tasty, Mairead!
Irish American Mom
Thanks Elizabeth. They’re just simple and delicious.
Grady Varner
I just showed this to my wife and her face lit up! Can’t wait to try them Mairead.
Irish American Mom
Grady – I hope you enjoy them. Mashed potatoes and potato cakes are pretty much staples in our house.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mairead
Martin
Hi Mairead,
just wondering if you could help here,
i seem to remember my mother making them with mince through them ane they were gorgeous,
any ideas on how i might make them ?
Irish American Mom
Martin – Your mother’s potato cakes sound lovely. To make them you would have to pre-cook the mince. I would heat some oil, add minced garlic and onion, fry them up a little then add some mince. Fully cook the mince. Then add it to the mashed potato mixture for the potato cakes. I’ve never made potato cakes like this, but this is my best guess on how to do it. I hope this helps.
Mairéad
Chris B
Yum!! I love these!
Irish American Mom
Me too, Chris. We love potato cakes in our house.
Vince
Have you tried the trick where you peal the spuds then cut them into 1/4’s then boil them just to the point where the sharp edge on the 1/4 begins to go into mush in the water. Drain at that point. The outside will be cooked but their own heat will cook them the rest of the way. It’s at this point that you decide the amount you are going to make into cake. For you don’t mash them you allow them to finish cooking in the 1/4’s as they vapour will dry them out more than if you mash them at that point. Later, when you want them, crush them into that ring having salted and peppered them. To cook wipe a bit of oil on a pan/skillet with a bit of kitchen paper. You don’t want to wet them. But frankly it’s far far easier to throw the switch on the DFF.
Vince
Peel even.
Irish American Mom
Vince – I’ve never tried this tip for cooking potatoes for mash. Sounds like a great way to get good, floury potatoes. My mother cooks her spuds until just before they are done, then drains them and puts a towel under the lid, so the steam will finish cooking them. I’m going to have to try your tip.
All the best,
Mairead
foodlve
can you try adding your recipes to foodlve.com under your name ? will be useful to share it for more people
Irish American Mom
Sure – I’ll take care of that a little later today, once the kids are tucked up in bed and peace returns to the house. Thanks for the recommendation and for letting me know about your wonderful site.
Mairead
Kay G.
MMMMM…these look so good. Really, really good!!!
If I use rice flour, I could make them gluten free!
Irish American Mom
Kay – Rice flour or chick pea flour would probably work just fine to make these gluten free. They don’t need a lot of flour to bind the mashed potato together. Potato flavor is what predominates. As always, thanks so much for checking out my recipes.
Best wishes,
Mairead
Vince
A teaspoon of the dried potato might work also. It’s a dry binding agent you’re looking for really. The flour provides nothing other that the strands of gluten. I doubt the chickpea would work for any time I made Hummus the consistency was that of jam. Thick jam granted, but jam nonetheless.
Irish American Mom
Vince – A little dried potato is a great idea – I never thought of that. Thanks again for another brilliant tip.
Mairead
norma
are these delicious looking potato cakes also know as potato pancakes if not do you have the recipe for them… my mom has been asking for them…
Irish American Mom
Norma – These potato cakes are different from potato pancakes. This recipe calls for cooked mashed potatoes, but Irish potato pancakes, also known as boxty, call for mashed potato and grated raw potato with buttermilk. Here is the link for my recipe for boxty. This post has step-by-step photographs also.
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/2012/01/31/boxty-irish-potato-pancakes/
Thanks for checking out my recipes. Best wishes,
Mairead
norma
I am so sorry I gave you the wrong information it was potato scones, not potato pancakes… that i was looking for the recipe
thank you for your prompt reply i received
Stephanie Faulkner
My grandmother, from Cty Cork, made these all the time – and I do too. Sooo good with a nice poached egg popped on the top in the morning! A difference in hers was not using flour at all. I take left over mashed potatoes – cold out of the fridge – and form them into free form patties. Brown s l o w l y in butter until there is a good crispy crust on both sides. I like the idea of adding chives to the mix – and would probably used dried chives, mix them in the left overs before putting them in the fridge so they would reconstitute over night. mmmmm . Will try your version too. Always open to new stuff!!
Irish American Mom
Stephanie – I love your idea of serving these potato cakes with a poached egg perched on top. HP sauce ( an Irish brown sauce) instead of hollandaise and you have the Irish version of Eggs Benedict. Thanks so much for checking out my recipe and for your great tips.
All the best,
Mairead
Phil
Sorry, HP sauce is English. Invented by a grocer from Nottingham. H P stands for Houses of Parliament.
Irish American Mom
Thanks so much Phil – HP sauce is definitely English, but my husband eats so much of it I think of it as Irish. I should have said “a brown sauce available in Ireland.”
All the best,
Mairead
tiphany
my mom has always used celery salt in place of regular and sprinkles the pepper on top after placing them in the skillet. It is a fight over them when I come home.
Irish American Mom
Tiphany – What a great tip from your mother. I am really enjoying everyone’s suggestions for these little potato cakes. I truly think the possibilities for different seasonings are endless. Thanks so much for your comment.
Mairead
Grammy
Mmmmmm. Can’t wait to try these!
Irish American Mom
They are simple but oh so good, Grammy.
Cheryl Barker
Mairead, these look so good. That’s interesting that Irish potatoes are a bit different from what we have here in the U.S.
Irish American Mom
Cheryl – There are many kinds of potatoes in Ireland, all with names never heard of here in America. There are golden wonders, Kerr’s pinks, Prince Edwards and varieties named after so many English royals it’s mind-boggling. I was surprised when I first came to America and there were so few choices.
Aimee
We normally don’t have many potatoes, so I’ll have to specifically get some to mash up! I was going to ask if whole wheat would work as well as white (I would assume it would- just might change the taste a bit) but I think I’d probably try them without flour first.
Irish American Mom
Aimee – Unlike you we normally have a lot of potatoes – it’s just what we grew up on. Whole wheat flour will change the taste of the potato cakes a little and the texture, but you really don’t need a lot of flour. They will turn out pretty good with just potatoes. Remember to decrease the amount of egg if you don’t use flour – not as much binding needed without flour.
Hope you enjoy these.
Mairead
Aimee
Growing up we had them quite a bit, but something happened after having kids and I just can’t handle them anymore. I think it’s related to the high amounts of starch though and now that I know how to release that I’m ok again. I just have to remember to buy them more often! Thanks for the tip on the egg- I’m not sure I would have thought of that!
Irish American Mom
Aimee – My father has to have potatoes with every dinner. He even puts potato on the side with lasagna – something only an Irishman would do.
Aimee
That is funny! Definitely isn’t anything you see on a regular basis here in America!
Tom O 'Grady
we still do!
Irish American Mom
Tom – It’s good to know that a dinner is still not a dinner without a spud for some Irish people.
All the best,
Mairéad
Deirdre Conran
My 91 year old father always needs his spuds although since my mother died, he’s actually discovered pizza of all things. Who knew that would be possible. If my mother made a dish with rice, for instance, if she didn’t make a potato for him he’d finish his dinner and ask…well what’s for dinner?
Irish American Mom
Hi Deirdre – Your father’s dinner requests sound just like my 87 year old father’s menu choices. My dad looks for a side of spuds with lasagne. When we were younger and my mother was delayed getting home, he would help out. She would arrive home to hear he had the dinner on. But that just meant he had a pot of spuds boiling. He didn’t bother with anything else to go along with the spuds.
Thanks for stopping by to check out my recipes.
All the best,
Mairéad
Aimee
Mairead- these were wonderful!! We used gold yukons, which weren’t the best choice, so I had to add quite a bit of flour until they firmed up a bit. But they were delicious and my kids in particular loved them!
Irish American Mom
Aimee – These really are simple and delicious. You will find that every variety of potato requires a different amount of flour for binding. The amount of flour sometimes varies from day to day even when using the same kind of potato. I no longer measure anything when making potato cakes. To quote my granny, it is a “fistful of this, and a fistful of that.” Anyway, so glad your little ones gave their seal of approval.
All the best,
Mairead
Aimee
That’s great to know! I’ll keep that in mind as we try these out with different potatoes. We enjoyed them with a roast, and it was nice to have something different to soak up the gravy/juices with. Our farmer’s market has tons of sweet potatoes right now…do you think these would work well in making potato cakes?
Irish American Mom
Aimee – I think if you use sweet potatoes only you will need far too much flour to bind them. When you use too much flour the taste can overwhelm the potatoes. I would recommend using half regular potato mash and half sweet potato mash to get a better consistency. Let me know how they work out. I might even give this a try too.
Mairead
Aimee
Thanks for the tips! If I think about it this weekend, I’ll grab some of both and give them a go!
Maureen
FADGE!!!! My grandmother used to make fadge for us! It’s one of my great memories of her, standing with with her apron hanging from her neck, serving us a plate of triangular shaped “fadge” with butter and jelly on the table. Even have a copy of her recipe written in her own handwriting. I’ve never been able to make it quite like I remember.
Irish American Mom
Maureen – We love “fadge” in our house. I call them potato cakes, but my husband says “fadge” being a Donegal man. You are so lucky to have your recipe written in your grandmother’s very own handwriting. That truly is a family treasure. I hope my recipe helps you recreate her fadge. She may not have cut out circular cakes, but instead patted her dough into one large circle, then cut it into eight triangles for frying.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out my recipe.
Best wishes,
Mairead
Noreen
This touched a cord with me. I watched my grandmother and my auntie make Irish potato cakes, but they cooked the dough base( like yours) in the oven . They scored first , making it easier to cut into triangles. The ingredient that made them true Irish potato cakes was the addition of caraway seeds.
They were served hot covered in butter. Yum…Any left overs were cut into chip like pieces and fried alongside bacon, eggs and black pudding .
I used your recipe tonight,added the caraway seeds, but used gluten free flour and they turned out really well. Thank you for reminding me of a happy memory.
Best wishes Noreen..Originally from Dublin.
Irish American Mom
Noreen – I’m so glad your potato cakes brought back happy memories of your childhood. Caraway seeds would be a wonderful addition to this recipe, and really would add a taste of Ireland to these old favorites. I love your grandmother’s tip of using the left overs cut into chips to serve alongside a good Irish fry.
Best wishes, from one Dublin girl to another.
Mairéad
Elizabeth
Thank you thank you! Been trying to get the consistency right for cut outs and this is it. The photos are big and clear and really help, too. Out comes the shamrock cookie cutter!
Ellis Ni C.
Irish American Mom
Eilis – So glad you found my recipe. It is perfect for using cookie cutters – just add the liquid gradually so you achieve the right doughy texture. Making shamrock potato cakes is a brilliant idea.
All the best,
Mairead
Angela
Hi . Your recipe made me hungry! I took a look at my mother’s recipe for this . Every Sunday for tea, we had potato bread made with leftover mash from Sunday lunch. Her ingredients were potato, flour and salt. Nothing else – except hard work. After adding salt to the potato, she added flour gradually, kneading all the while as though making bread. I recall this taking some time, and she ended up with quite a stiff dough. She rolled this out with a rolling pin to about an inch or an inch and a half thick. She then cut it into triangles She barely greased a heavy iron frying pan and put the potato cakes in, turning them when they were cooked and brown on the underside,. The heat was not too high as they needed to be cooked through. When done, they were split in two and eaten hot with butter that melted and the whole thing was YUMMY! Also from Donegal and we called them potato cakes.! How can you live without balls of flour in your life?
Irish American Mom
Angela – “Big balls of flour” proclaims a sign on the Strabane side of the bridge when traveling from Derry to Donegal through Lifford. We always laugh thinking what on earth do Americans think they are selling. Your memories of your mother’s potato cakes are so vivid – I felt I was transported back to her kitchen, waiting eagerly to see if they were ready. Hot with melted butter – there is nothing on earth quite like potato cakes.
All the best,
Mairead
Heather @ Rise & Shine Life
My husband & I have Irish blood in our families (although I’m not sure how far back we’d have to go to see it 🙂 & so I decided I wanted to learn to make foods from Ireland & the other countries our families represent! I am so excited to have found your blog! I made these Irish Potato Cakes last night & they were a hit! I only had sweet potatoes on hand, so I used those along with Mrs. Dash Onion & Herb, black pepper, coconut oil, brown rice flour & almond flour (to make them gluten & dairy free). OH. MY. GOODNESS!! These were DELISH & disappeared within seconds. When my picky husband inhales a new food & asks for more, I know that recipe is a keeper! Thank you for sharing these with us!
Irish American Mom
Heather – Thanks for this great tip and feedback about your success using sweet potatoes for this recipe. I’ll definitely have to give these a go with some sweet potatoes. I’ve only ever used regular spuds, but now that I am an American I need to give the sweet taters a try.
Thanks so much for stopping by and adding these great suggestions.
Best wishes,
Mairead
Suzie
as a child I enjoyed irish potatoe pie made at home [not mine but Marcys home her grandfather maked it it was a recipe that was passed down in the family [Irish of course] it had potatoes butter carroway seeds but thats all I remember and I love to make and eat it. Does anyone have such a recipe?
Irish American Mom
Suzie – I have a recipe for a potato and onion cake, which I bake in the oven. Were there onions in Marcy’s grandfather’s recipe? I think my recipe might be what you are looking for. I’ll dig my recipe out of the pile and give it a try soon. I’ll post it if it is a success. I haven’t made it in years, since my husband is not a fan of onions.
Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairead
Suzie
great I look for it to come and get it in my oven
Kelly
I especially like to bake a few extra potatoes and use them in this recipe – the baking really brings out the potato flavor. I am making several loaves of brown bread, using your recipe, to give to friends later this week. Thank you for sharing! We really enjoy your recipes.
Irish American Mom
Kelly – Thanks for your great tip of using baked potatoes for this recipe. I bet it really heightens the potato flavor. I use baked sweet potatoes for my sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving time, but never thought to use a baked potato for this recipe. I’m going to make potato bread later this week, so I might try using a baked potato in it.
So glad you found my site and that you enjoy my recipes.
Take care,
Mairéad
Sarah
Hi
I’m English but living in Australia. I’m missing buying and eating potato cakes that much that I am going to try to make them myself! Do you know which potatos are best to use? There isnt a lot of choice over here and they are all really small, not great for jacket potatos…
Irish American Mom
Sarah – I had the exact same problem when I came to America, trying to figure out which potatoes to use for which method of cooking. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the potato varieties available in Australia, but I found a good explanation on this website:
http://theabbotsfordkitchen.wordpress.com/2010/07/17/my-guide-to-potatoes/
I think your best bet is to look for a Russet Burbank potato – one that would be considered floury. Hope this helps and that your potato cakes turn out well.
All the best,
Mairéad
Maureen O Hanlon
Thank you Mairead, Im going to make these they look lovely 🙂 I love the step to step way you show how to make all your recipies :):)
Irish American Mom
Hope you enjoy them, Maureen.
All the best,
Mairéad
Sheila
Hi Mairead,
My husband and I have retired from the UK to Spain. I love your recipe, Can you please tell me if they are suitable for freezing?
Saludos, Sheila
Irish American Mom
Sheila – You can freeze these potato cakes in small batches, in a plastic bag with as much air as possible removed. They might taste a little different and their texture is not as good as when they are freshly made. I never freeze mashed potatoes since their texture changes with freezing. I think these cakes don’t freeze perfectly because they are composed of so much potato. Hope this helps.
Happy New Year to you.
Mairéad
Big Den
I first tasted potato cakes as a young soldier serving in northern Ireland during the early 70’s. They were made for us by a lovely old irish lady who took pity on us when we patrolled her area in south Armagh god bless her. She even wrote out the recipe for me. I now make them for my own grandkids and they love them. Something good from a dark time.
Irish American Mom
Den – What a lovely story. God bless the little old lady who brightened your days with her potato cakes. I’m so glad your grandchildren love this little taste of Ireland too.
All the best,
Mairéad
Tara
This was wonderful! Perfect way to start the day with some sausage and eggs. My son especially loved them.
Irish American Mom
Tara – I’m so glad you enjoyed these potato cakes. They’re great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
All the best,
Mairead
Lyssabye
I made these for the first time and they were delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Irish American Mom
So glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairead
Lisa
How about this recipe; Irish potato cakes
2 cups of left over mashed potatoes (I used red skinned potatoes seasoned with sour cream, chives,garlic, butter)
1 cup of sauerkraut
2 oz pepper jack cheese
A dash of pepper flakes
Salt & pepper
1/2 c flour
Dredge in panko crumbs
Fry in few tbsp oil and/or butter abt 3 or 4 minutes on each side
Omg delicious! !!
Irish American Mom
This sounds absolutely delicious. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipe.
Best wishes,
Mairead
Caroline
Thank you for a very well presented post ! I’m looking for inspiration for my 2yr old, as he has gone off his dinners and refuses anything I give him.Has no problem with Nana’s biscuits though !
He likes scones so hopefully these will do the trick and I plan to add to them, as he progresses.
I will let you know,many thanks Mairead.
Caroline Meehan. Galway
Irish American Mom
Hi Caroline – I hope your little boy likes these potato cakes. I sometimes use cookie cutters in different shapes to make them extra appealing. I only do that on special occasions though because I think if I do it every time I might only be encouraging my kids to play with their food.
Happy cooking,
Mairead
william
We make potato cakes by mashing potatoes,mash in margarine,add flour and baking powder,form into cakes and bake,serve with home made jam.
william
Anyone want to know more info let me know
Irish American Mom
They sound delicious, William. Jam and potato cakes – just lovely.
All the best,
Mairéad
plasterer bristol
this sounds good. Something new to try as well. thanks for sharing this recipe.
Simon
Irish American Mom
Thanks, Simon. Hope you like these potato cakes,
Mairéad
Phoebe Cristina
I’ve always loved these, my version uses chopped scallions (green onions) and regular salt in place of the onion salt, otherwise I make them the same. The tip about putting a towel over the pan and letting them steam is new to me but I plan to try it; I also have a hard time getting the spuds dry enough for a dough without overuse of flour, since most American varieties aren’t “flourey” enough so I’ll be glad to see if this trick helps.
Irish American Mom
Hi Phoebe – “Flourey” spuds just don’t exist in America. When we travel to Letterkenny from Dublin we pass through Strabane and Lifford. There’s a sign by the bridge advertising “big balls of flour” for sale. I wonder if tourists are perplexed by the sign, having no idea they’re actually selling spuds.
All the best,
Mairéad
Phoebe Cristina
Haha I’ve seen that sign myself Mairéad! My mam and brother and I used to go over to Donegal from Derry and he always had to make some smart remark about it. Now I wish I’d have taken a picture of it.
As for the potatoes, someone said the red or so-called russet ones are more dry, but I tried some and found them to be quite moist and almost oily. Yukon gold are good for other things but make a very moist batter for potato cakes. How about the white Idaho variety? Has anyone used those and what kind of luck have they had with them I’d be interested to know. They are said to be best for baked potatoes so they might be a bit more “floury”…
Irish American Mom
Hi Phoebe – I’ve used the big potatoes which are sold as “baking potatoes” for a flourier spud. Russets are only alright, but sometimes they’re the best I can find in America. I do avoid adding too much milk or butter when mashing them, because they’ll just be too oily for a potato cake.
My husband actually took a photo of that sign once. It was raining so hard the camera lens got covered in rain drops. I must see if I can find that shot in my files again.
All the best,
Mairéad
Phoebe Cristina
All this talk about potato cakes has made me hungry for some…I believe I’ll make some tomorrow! Have to go to the shops then anyway so I’ll pick up some baking spuds and scallions for supper. My hubby likes them too, although he tends to put Mexican hot sauce on most everything he eats!
Also want to bake some soda bread; I like to put raisins in mine but only the light or golden kind. I ran out and couldn’t find them in the shops for a while but just located some the other day. Another thing I often can’t get is self-raising flour though I know it’s sold here; not all stores stock it. My soda bread and scones sometimes come out hard if the flour isn’t right for them.
Irish American Mom
Hi Phoebe – I hope you enjoyed your potato cakes. Believe it or not, my Donegal husband adds a dash of hot sauce to his potato cakes too. Ever since we lived in Dallas, he’s been adding hot sauce to my Irish cooking. My poor taste buds can’t quite take it, but he just loves it.
I hear your frustration over buying flour in America which guarantees baking success. I’ve produced some scones here which could be used as hockey pucks. I use cake flour when making scones with eggs and regular milk. When making them with baking soda and buttermilk I try to buy White Lily flour. It’s made with softer southern wheat, which is closer in texture to Irish flour. Most American wheat is grown in northern states like Illinois and Indiana. The colder temperatures require a different, hardier wheat, and the flour has more protein than Irish flour. If you can find White Lily flour from wheat grown in Tennessee you should have better results. Hope this helps.
Mairéad
Phoebe Cristina
Mairéad, you made me laugh out loud. I’ve made many of those “hockey puck” scones; good to know I’m not the only one! I’ve also been through the flour trials before; I have heard about White Lily and also Martha White southern flours but have not been able to find them here–I live in Chicago–and I’ve even asked the managers of several stores if they could order it but no luck. The closest thing I can find is San Antonio brand flour that comes from Mexico. But that may be a bit TOO far south, because I have not had very good luck with it either. You gave me an idea though, I will see if I can find cake flour and make them the way you mentioned. Might you publish your recipe?
Also I was wondering if we are able to add photos here in this column. I just came across one I just have to share.
Irish American Mom
Hi Phoebe – Here’s my recipe for raisin scones using cake flour …
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/2011/10/05/irish-raisin-tea-scones/
I also shared my recipe for blueberry scones – here’s that link
https://www.irishamericanmom.com/2014/06/21/blueberry-scones/
I’m afraid my blog theme on WordPress doesn’t have a function for adding photos in the comment section. I think this is a safety measure, since as the publisher of a blog I need to make sure photos do not infringe copyright laws. If commenters add photos there’s no way to know if the photo is theirs to share. So sorry about that. You can always upload the photo on my Facebook page. Here’s the link …
https://www.facebook.com/IrishAmericanMom
All the best,
Mairéad
Phoebe Cristina
Go raibh mile mairh agat for your scone recipes Mairéad, can’t wait to try them. I finally made the potato cakes today. I used Idaho baking potatoes and did that trick of letting them steam under a towel for a bit. I didn’t add any milk or butter to the mash, just scallions, salt and an egg. For buttery flavor I put just a bit of butter on top of each one at the table. They tasted really good!
Oh, I posted that photo on your FB also; I think you’ll get a chuckle from it.
Irish American Mom
Great photo, Phoebe. Thanks for sharing it. Have a great weekend,
Mairéad
Debbie
Hi I loved reading all your potato cake recipes.I recently made some mini ones from left over mash potato.I didnt add flour or egg i just cut out mini circles with an egg cup dipped them in beaten egg and then in bread crumbs and fried them in the pan.
Irish American Mom
Hi Debbie – I love how you coated your potato cakes in bread crumbs before frying. They sound delicious. Thanks so much for stopping by to add your potato cake recipe tip for other readers.
Best wishes, and thanks for checking out my recipes and ramblings.
Mairéad
Justine
Ok, made this this morning for a late breakfast for the family (kids had the day off from school). These were fantastic, and I’m adding them to the rotation when we make mashed potatoes. Thank you!
louise
Can i freeze them? trying to prepare for baby coming and was thinking of freezing them in batches to have as snacks :/ any ideas or not idea?
Irish American Mom
Hi Louise – Potatoes do not last very long in the freezer – two month max. They won’t be quite as nice as they are when eaten freshly cooked. I recommend flash freezing these potato cakes. Place them on parchment paper on a metal baking tray and freeze them on the tray. This way they won’t stick together like they would if you placed them all together in a bag to freeze. After they are frozen on the tray, then place them in a freezer bag for storing. When you are reheating them, I do not recommend the microwave. They get mushy. It’s best to reheat them in the oven. I hope this helps.
All the best, and thanks so much for checking out my recipe.
Mairéad
Sorilea
These look delicious! I’ve tried making these before— we call them potato pancakes— but they never turn out very well. Perhaps it’s the potatoes. Thank you for sharing!
Irish American Mom
Hi Sorilea – Keep your mashed potatoes as dry as possible for potato cakes. When there is too much milk and butter in them they don’t hold together well for potato cakes.
All the best,
Mairéad
Jennie Smith
Hi there,
Can I freeze these, once prepped, before frying?
Irish American Mom
Hi Jennie – You can freeze them before frying, but try to flash freeze them. Lay them on a metal baking tray so that they are not touching and then put them into the freezer for a few hours to freeze. Once they have become solid you can transfer them to a freezer bag. This decreases the risk of them sticking together when freezing. Mashed potato only lasts a month or two in the freezer so don’t leave them there too long. I hope this helps.
Mairéad
Jennie Smith
That’s fab thanks Mairéad. Love your blog and all the recipes ☘ x
Kathleen O'Byrne
This recipe so reminds me of my Aunty Mary. I loved her potatoe cakes! She made the best Irish soda bread aswell!!!
Nora
Fantastic recipe- love the video – great, easy tutorial.
Irish American Mom
Hi Nora – Thanks for looking at this video – it’s fun to see the potato cakes coming together so effortlessly.
Thanks for rating this recipe and giving it your seal of approval.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Dan
Love this recipe – my mother used up left over mashed potatoes this way all the time.
Irish American Mom
So glad this recipe reminds you of your mother’s cooking, Dan. Thanks for stopping by.
All the best,
Mairéad
Verla
I couldn’t resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
Irish American Mom
Thanks Verla. I hope you enjoy this recipe.
All the best,
Mairéad
Lily
Although I love your recipes and think it’s great that you’re educating people on their heritage,Cooking isn’t just mom’s jobs,being a recipe website,by naming it the way you did,you’re reinforcing the idea moms are the ones who should be in the kitchen,where’s the dad in this?
Irish American Mom
Hi Lily – Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my recipes. My website delves into many topics about Irish culture and heritage and the stories of the Irish in America. It’s not just limited to recipes and cooking. It was named over ten years ago, and over time I’ve added more and more recipes. The name was never intended to be a reflection of a woman’s place being in the kitchen. However, I am a mom and that was my inspiration when naming my site. Dads and anyone who wishes to cook can try out my recipes. If this is the only controversial topic gleaned from my blog name, then in my opinion I’m doing well, especially considering I delve into Irish history topics. Thanks for sharing your opinion.
All the best,
Mairéad