Potato Cakes in the Air Fryer
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Crispy Potato Cakes made in the air fryer are my new favorite side dish! They’re quick and easy and a great use of leftovers! It’s a way to totally transform leftover mashed potatoes into something tasty and unique!
What You’ll Love About Air Fryer Potato Pancakes
A potato pancake also can be known as potato fritters, latke, boxty or plaki – depending on what region you’re from – they’re all very similar.
- Healthier! Most folks fry these babies up in a skillet – but that’s a lot of added fat and mess! Using your air fryer is so much healthier!
- Leftovers! We always have leftover potatoes after a big dinner and this is a great way to use them and make a whole new dish!
- Crispy & Fluffy – These potato cakes have crispy outsides and are fluffy on the inside!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Potato Cakes
Depending on which version of potato cakes you’re making – there’s always grated or ground potato, flour and a binder like egg – then flavor is added with garlic and other seasonings.
Here’s what you’ll need for this air fryer potato pancake recipe:
- mashed AND grated potato – this gives you a great texture! For the grated potato – use what you have or like – I used a russet but the type of potato isn’t too big of a deal.
- shredded cheese – I love sharp white cheddar but any cheddar or colby jack would be great too
- all purpose flour – you could also use breadcrumbs or even panko
- egg – this is a good binder for the mixture so they don’t fall apart
- garlic – you can use minced or garlic powder
- salt & pepper
- chives, scallions or green onions
- OPTIONAL:
- Bacon Bits – or add some diced bacon for little bits of meaty goodness
- Spices – if you want it spicier – you can add red pepper flakes or add in some Greek seasoning for a little more flavor.
- Sauces: top these potato cakes with sour cream, ketchup or even ranch
How to make Potato Cakes in the Air Fryer?
- Grate potatoes into a large bowl. Add cold leftover mashed potatoes, flour, cheese, egg and seasonings. Stir and mix until blended.
- You can use a box grater or a food processor to grate your potato
- Place a sheet of parchment on a rimmed baking sheet
- Using a medium batter scoop, make patties by putting scoop of mashed potato mixture on parchment and pressing it down slightly
- Freeze the patties for 10-20 minutes
- Remove from freezer and place patties in air fryer basket (I had to do 2 batches)
- I recommend using a thin metal spatula – the mixture does not make a solid patty – you need the thin spatula to get all the way underneath and put in air fryer
- Spritz with olive oil and air fry at 400 for 5 min
- Flip, spritz and air fry 5 min more
- Garnish with parsley, sour cream & chives!
FAQs
Yes definitely – you can freeze before or after making them.
If freezing before – cover batter patties with plastic wrap and freeze until solid. Then remove the pucks and place them in a stack with parchment paper between them.
Yes – definitely! Freeze the pucks and take them out when ready to make.
Air fry for 3-4 minutes at 350. You want a lower temp so they heat but not continue to brown.
What to serve with Potato Pancakes?
Side Dishes to serve with Potato Cakes
Best Air Fryer Accessories
Here’s my ultimate list of best air fryer accessories – whether you have a basket- or oven-style! I’ve also included a price guide as well as my favorite recipes for those accessories.
Air Fryer Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup leftover chilled mashed potatoes
- 1 russet potato grated
- 1/3 cup flour
- 3/4 cup sharp white cheddar cheese grated
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp chives
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large batter bowl, mix together leftover mashed potatoes (you want them cold), 1 grated russet potato, flour, cheese, egg and seasonings1 cup leftover chilled mashed potatoes, 1 russet potato, 1/3 cup flour, 3/4 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, 1 egg, 1 tbsp chives, 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1 tsp salt
- Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment
- Using medium scoop, scoop out 8 balls of mixture and place on parchment
- Flatten scoops of potato patties slightly
- Place baking sheet in freezer for 10-15 minutes
- remove from freezer, using metal spatula (thin so it can get under patties – they won't be frozen, just chilled) lay four pancakes into air fryer
- spritz with olive oil and air fry at 400 for 5 min
- Open air fryer, flip, spritz with oil, sprinkle with salt and air fry at 400 for 5 min more
- Serve with sour cream, salt and more chives
What a great way to use up my mashed potatoes! So much more flavor (and healthier!) than pan frying, and I love the subtle bite from garlic and chives! Definitely a repeat recipe!
Oh yum! Such a wonderful use of leftovers. Love the texture of the potato pancakes with the air fryer too.
Such a great use of leftover potatoes. And super quick which makes for a great weeknight side dish.
Was surprised to see how crispy they were! A great air fryer recipe!!
Super tasty little potato pancakes! Love all recipes with potatoes as they are just so economical and versatile!