Easy Fried Mashed Potato Patties
Crispy, golden fried mashed potato patties made from leftover mash or freshly mashed potatoes. These Easy Fried Mashed Potato Patties are a quick, comforting snack or side that comes together with minimal ingredients and a lot of flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 cups mashed potatoes (cooled, leftover or freshly made)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- If your mashed potatoes are warm, spread them on a plate and let cool to room temperature, or pop them in the fridge for 10 minutes. Cooler potatoes hold together better.
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, egg, grated cheese if using, chopped herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is evenly distributed. Don t overmix; stop once it s cohesive.
- Add 1/4 cup of the flour to the potato mixture and gently fold it in. If the mixture feels too sticky, add the remaining flour a tablespoon at a time until you can form patties that hold their shape.
- Dust a clean work surface with a little flour. Scoop about 1/3 cup of potato mixture for each patty and shape into rounds about 3 inches across and 1/2 inch thick. Lightly dust each patty with flour.
- Heat the oil in a large nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. It s ready when a small pinch of flour sizzles. Don t let the oil smoke.
- Place the patties in the skillet in a single layer, leaving space between them. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, until golden brown, then carefully flip and fry another 3 minutes. Lower the heat slightly if they brown too fast.
- Transfer cooked patties to a plate lined with paper towels to drain briefly. Season with a pinch more salt while hot, if desired.
- Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkling of extra herbs, ketchup, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for best texture.