Mashed Potato Pancakes - Recipe for Holiday Leftovers (2024)

FAQs

What dishes can be made from leftover mashed potatoes? ›

You can use the leftovers to make some scrumptious (and surprising) dishes. Think potato pancakes, pierogi, quesadillas, and more. Just use a recipe that contains plenty of fat (like our Day Before Mashed Potatoes) to keep leftover mashed potatoes extra creamy.

Your pancakes could be falling apart for a few different reasons. First, your mashed potatoes might have been too loose or runny. Or, you didn't add enough flour or eggs to the batter. Finally, undercooking the potato pancakes can lead to them falling apart.

Potato pancakes have a creamy, almost mashed-potato-like center, with a thin, golden, crisp exterior. Latkes, on the other hand, should have a deeply browned crust, with wispy, lacy edges. Latkes also aren't hash browns.

Russet potatoes work best in this recipe because they have a high starch content, which helps to bind the pancakes together. I do not recommend substituting with red or yellow potatoes.

Another nice thing about leftover mashed potatoes is that you can use them as a blank canvas and add in other ingredients. Stir in some sour cream, grated garlic, and chives, or add a generous amount of grated parmesan and cracked black pepper. With so many different ways to flavor them, you'll never be bored.

Add more cream and butter: More moisture and fat are the two secret ingredients to reheating any leftovers.

Beat eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl; stir in potatoes and onion. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of potato mixture into hot oil in batches. Press to flatten.

These potato pancakes (called latkes) are meant to symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah, when the oil of the menorah in the ransacked Second Temple of Jerusalem was able to stay aflame for eight days even though there was only enough oil for one day. The symbolism comes in the form of the oil in which latkes are fried.

Potato pancakes are associated with almost every European cuisine and are referred to as a variety of names including latkes (Jewish culture), kartoffelpuffer (Germany), bramborak (Slovakia and Czech Republic), draniki (Austria), tattifish (England) and rosti (Switzerland) (“Potato Pancake Background”, n.d).

Oil choice is crucial for a perfectly fried latke. Because you are deep frying, you want to use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or grapeseed.

How do you keep potatoes from turning brown when making potato pancakes? ›

Add lemon juice or vinegar

Placing spuds in water will slow the oxidation process, but it will not stop it. To keep keep potatoes from turning brown for more than six hours, say overnight, then add a bit of acid. Lowering the pH of the potato helps fight off oxidation.

Potato pancakes may turn out mushy if there is too much moisture in the potatoes or if the batter is too wet. To prevent this, be sure to thoroughly squeeze out excess liquid from the grated potatoes using a kitchen towel or cheesecloth before mixing them with the other ingredients.

How Long You Can Keep Leftover Mashed Potatoes. Mashed potatoes should easily last three to five days in the fridge if stored correctly and within two hours of cooking. This means ensuring there isn't any moisture buildup under the lid that could encourage the growth of bacteria.

Yes! In fact, mashed potatoes are of the most freezer-friendly potato preparations out there. The key is to coat your potatoes with plenty of butter and cream. The fat from the dairy will protect the potatoes in the freezer and help them retain their flavor.

While gravy is a classic choice, mashed potatoes can be enjoyed with various toppings and sauces. Consider adding a dollop of butter, shredded cheese, fresh herbs, sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, or even a creamy cheese sauce.