There's something so wonderfully nostalgic about the sizzle and aroma of golden, perfectly crisp-edges on these little delights. This Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe turns your leftover mashed potatoes into an irresistible comfort food classic you'll want to make again and again.

A stack of five golden brown fried patties is placed in the center of a white plate on a white marbled surface. Each patty is round and slightly crispy on the edges, with a textured surface showing hints of herbs and spices. On the top patty, there is a dollop of white sour cream garnished with small pieces of green herbs. The stack is tall and slightly leaning, capturing the warm and crispy texture of the patties. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly think every home cook should have a go-to recipe like this Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe. It’s quick, uses simple ingredients, and the results are just so satisfying—crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful inside, with a savory edge that makes every bite a delight.

Transforms leftovers: You can turn leftover mashed potatoes into delicious pancakes without fuss.
Crispy texture: The secret to that perfect crunch lies in the flour toss and oil fry method.
Simple ingredients: Nothing fancy required—just your pantry basics and a little love.
Customizable: Easily add herbs or spices to match your mood or what's in your fridge.

Ingredients & Why They Work

What I love about this recipe is how the handful of ingredients come together to balance moisture, flavor, and structure, ensuring your potato pancakes hold together and crisp up beautifully. Here’s a little cheat sheet on why each ingredient is important:

Flat lay of a small mound of creamy mashed potatoes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a few vibrant green chopped chives scattered neatly next to a small white ceramic bowl holding extra chopped chives, one large whole brown egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl containing kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl with ground black pepper, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden vegetable oil placed in perfect symmetry, all arranged on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Mashed Potatoes: The base of these pancakes—use cold mashed potatoes so they’re firm and easier to handle.
All-purpose Flour: Acts like glue and adds a light coating for crisping; tossing the formed patties in extra flour helps create that golden crust.
Chives or Green Onion: Adds a fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens up the richness of potatoes.
Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing out the natural potato sweetness.
Ground Black Pepper: Adds a mild kick and depth to the overall taste.
Large Egg: Binds everything together so the pancakes don’t fall apart when frying.
Vegetable Oil: Use for frying to get that crispy exterior without overpowering the pancakes’ flavor.
Sour Cream (optional): The classic topping that provides cool creaminess and tang to complement the crispy pancakes.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to noodle around with this Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe sometimes by adding my favorite twists. Feel free to make it your own and experiment a bit—you’ll be surprised at how versatile these little cakes can be.

Variation: Sometimes I sprinkle in a bit of smoked paprika or garlic powder to kick up the flavor, which turns these pancakes into a whole new experience; try it and see what you think!
Dietary swap: If you want to keep it gluten-free, use a gluten-free baking mix or oat flour instead of all-purpose flour—just a heads-up, the texture will be slightly different.
Extra mix-ins: Grated cheese, cooked bacon bits, or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill can bring in exciting flavor layers.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe

The image shows a white plate with four golden brown patties stacked on top of each other. The top patty is covered with a thick dollop of white creamy sauce, some of which is dripping down the sides. A fork with a piece of the patty is held by a woman's hand, breaking it apart to reveal a soft inside. Small green chopped herbs are sprinkled on the patties and the plate for color. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with a wooden bowl of green herbs and a white bowl of more white sauce nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Mix the Potato Batter

Start by combining your cold mashed potatoes, flour, chopped chives or green onions, salt, pepper, and one beaten egg in a large bowl. I find using cold mashed potatoes helps keep the batter firm, making the pancakes easier to shape and crisp up nicely. Mix everything gently but thoroughly—if you overmix, you might end up with dense pancakes.

Step 2: Form and Flour the Patties

Grab about 3 to 4 tablespoons of the mixture and sprinkle a generous dusting of flour on it. Toss the mixture between your hands lightly to coat it evenly, then gently flatten into a round patty about half an inch thick. Place each patty on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This flour dusting is key—it's your secret weapon for that irresistible crispy exterior.

Step 3: Heat the Oil and Fry

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Carefully place the patties in the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan (work in batches if needed). Fry each side for about 2 to 3 minutes or until they're beautifully golden brown and crisp. Flip carefully with a spatula to keep them intact.

Step 4: Drain and Serve Warm

Once cooked, transfer the potato pancakes to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Before serving, sprinkle with a few extra chopped chives for freshness. Serve warm with a dollop of sour cream or your favorite dipping sauce. Trust me, nothing beats that first bite.

Top Tip

From my kitchen to yours, these tips can help you nail the perfect crispy potato pancakes every time—because I’ve learned that a few small tricks truly make the difference.

Use dry mashed potatoes: If your mashed potatoes are too wet, the pancakes won’t hold their shape well or crisp properly. If needed, add a tiny bit more flour.
Don’t crowd the pan: Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature and can lead to soggy pancakes.
Medium heat is best: Too low and they won’t crisp; too high and you risk burning before the inside cooks through.
Flour your hands and patties well: This simple step helps achieve that signature crispy crust everyone loves.

How to Serve Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe

crispy potato pancakes - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a handful of finely chopped chives sprinkled on top right before serving—it adds a lovely pop of color and a subtle fresh onion flavor. A generous dollop of sour cream on the side is practically traditional and adds a creamy tang that balances the crispiness perfectly.

Side Dishes

These potato pancakes are fantastic alongside a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for a light meal, but they also pair beautifully with smoked salmon, applesauce, or even a fresh cucumber salad. When I want a heartier meal, I serve them with sautéed mushrooms and a fried egg on top.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I stack the pancakes like miniature towers, layering sour cream and smoked salmon between each one, garnished with dill sprigs and capers. It turns a humble dish into a showstopper that's perfect for guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let the leftover pancakes cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days and taste great warmed up again later.

Freezing

Freezing works well too. After frying and cooling, lay the pancakes flat on a parchment-lined tray and freeze individually. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag for easy grab-and-go meals that reheat quickly in a toaster oven or skillet.

Reheating

For reheating, I skip the microwave because it can make them soggy. Instead, I warm the pancakes in a hot skillet with a touch of oil for a minute or two on each side—this revives their crispiness beautifully.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh grated potatoes instead of mashed potatoes?

You can, but this recipe is designed around leftover mashed potatoes for convenience and texture. Fresh grated potatoes typically require squeezing out excess moisture and often include binding ingredients differently to hold together. For fresh grated potatoes, you might want to try a traditional latke recipe instead.

How do I prevent my potato pancakes from being soggy?

Make sure your mashed potatoes aren’t too wet by using leftover cold potatoes or gently stirring in a little extra flour to thicken the batter. Also, don’t overcrowd the pan while frying, and keep the oil hot enough to crisp the pancakes quickly. Draining them on paper towels after frying helps remove excess oil, too.

Can I freeze the raw potato pancake batter?

I don’t recommend freezing the raw batter because the texture might change, causing the pancakes not to hold together well upon cooking. Instead, fry the pancakes first, cool them, and then freeze individually for best results.

What oil is best for frying potato pancakes?

Vegetable oil is a great choice because it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor. You can also use canola or sunflower oil. Avoid oils with low smoke points like extra virgin olive oil, which can burn and impart off flavors.

Final Thoughts

I always find that making this Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe brings back warm memories and the simple joy of cozy comfort food. Whether it's a quick weeknight dinner or a special brunch treat, you can’t go wrong. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed how a few basic ingredients and some easy steps can transform your leftovers into a crispy, flavorful delight everyone will ask for again.