The only potato pancake recipes I see on a regular basis use raw grated potato. I have to say I never had those growing up. My husband was actually the one who introduced me to them. Growing up my mom only made potato pancakes with leftover mashed potatoes so those are the ones I love the most.
After seeing all the colcannon recipes online after St. Patty’s day I was craving them so I made some but with some spinach I had in the fridge. Of course you can use your favorite mashed potato recipe if you’d rather do that or feel free to leave out the spinach and just use the green onions. You can also reduce the amount of pancake “batter” you make by half if you don’t have as many leftovers. I have to say besides green smoothies this is up there on my favorite ways to eat spinach because you can hardly taste it at all inside these delicious mashed potato pancakes!
I also couldn’t choose a condiment to go with these as you’ll notice in the pictures. In the top ones there is homemade ketchup and the bottom ones have a mushroom gravy – both recipes I’ll post in the near future because they’re really good.
Mashed Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes:
- 10-12 small or medium russet potatoes
- 3 large handfuls spinach
- 3-4 green onions white and green parts
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 - 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt plus more to taste
Pancakes:
- 4-5 cups leftover cold mashed potatoes
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup whole wheat flour optional
- A pinch extra salt
Instructions
- Cut the potatoes into chunks and cover with water. I fill my 5 quart pot about 1/2 - 3/4 full with potatoes if that helps. Boil till tender when poked with a fork. The time this takes will depend on how small you cut the potatoes. Drain. Meanwhile, melt the butter in the pot used for the potatoes and add the spinach. Add the green onions and cook till the spinach is wilted, stirring well. Add the potatoes back into the pot and mash with a potato masher. I usually leave mine with a few lumps, but mash till your heart's content. Add in the milk and salt and mix well. Taste and add salt and milk as needed. The potatoes shouldn't be too dry. Serve as is or cool before making pancakes.
- To make pancakes, take about 4 - 5 cups of leftover cold or just cooled mashed potatoes and add two large eggs and 1/3 cup flour if desired. I forgot the flour this time but they would probably hold together better if they had it. Mix well. Also add a pinch more salt. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a tiny bit of butter, about a teaspoon for the whole pan. Drop 1/3 - 1/2 cup at a time and then flatten to 1/2" with the back of a spoon or flipper. The mixture will be sticky and wet. Cook over medium for 7-9 minutes each side checking to see that the bottom is golden before flipping. Repeat with the remaining batter or save in the fridge for a couple days. Enjoy with ketchup, gravy or just plain.
Comments & Reviews
Heather H says
Potatoes and pancakes, a beautiful combinations!
LisaMN says
Soooooooo happy I ran across your Doodle site, I’m a fan!!!
Trudy Judkins says
Love your post about the potato pancakes. I grew up on those. We added a little chopped onion and rubbed sage. Sounds like yours would be equally delicious.
Christina says
Potato pancakes are awesome!! These are making me crave some right now! I just might have to make these tomorrow! Yum! 🙂
mollyparr says
We have leftover mashed potatoes from our St. Patty’s Day celebration last week. Can’t wait to repurpose them into these tonight!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Awesome! 🙂
simplynutritiouskate says
I love potato pancakes and yours look delicious ! I love the addition of spinach such a great way to get the extra greens in!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Thank you! I love packing in the greens wherever I can. And thank you for the dinner inspiration this evening. I changed a couple things but it was delicious 😀