Mashed potato pancakes are an easy way to turn leftover mashed potatoes into a crispy, golden-brown treat. In this article, I’ll show you how to make these delicious pancakes step-by-step. Perfect for any meal, they pair wonderfully with my homemade Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe. Discover how simple and versatile this recipe can be.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Core Ingredients:
- 2 cups leftover creamy mashed potatoes
- 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or vegan butter)
Toppings:
- Vegan sour cream or my homemade Vegan Tzatziki Sauce
- Fresh herbs or chives
Helpful Tools
To make these potato pancakes, all you need is a reliable non-stick pan and basic cooking utensils. These tools ensure a smooth cooking process and help achieve the desired texture.
How To Make This Mashed Potato Pancakes Recipe
Shaping the Mashed Potatoes: Using clean hands, shape the cold mashed potatoes into 5-6 equal-sized patties. If they’re not sticking, refer to the notes below.

Cooking Process: In a non-stick pan on medium heat, add 1 tbsp of olive oil or vegan butter. Fry each patty for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Add another tbsp of olive oil if needed.

Serving Suggestions: Serve with my simple and flavourful Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe or vegan sour cream, green onions, and enjoy!

Notes: If your mashed potato patties are not forming well, adjust the consistency by adding 1 flax egg and 1/4-1/3 cup of all-purpose flour. This ensures the right texture for shaping the patties.
Tips & Tricks
- Ensure the mashed potatoes have the right consistency for easy shaping.
- Experiment with additional flavors and textures to customize the recipe to your liking.
- If your mashed potato patties are not forming or not sticking, it could be due to the consistency. If the mashed potatoes are overly whipped and have too much moisture, you can add 1 flax egg and 1/4-1/3 cup of all-purpose flour. Mix until the mashed potato consistency has changed, and is easily formed into a patty. The patty shapes do not have to be perfect, they just need to stick together.
FAQS
While it’s possible to use instant mashed potatoes, the texture may differ slightly. For the best results, opt for leftover creamy mashed potatoes from scratch.
If your mashed potato patties are not forming well, try adjusting the consistency. Add 1 flax egg and 1/4-1/3 cup of all-purpose flour, mix until the consistency changes, and the patties are easily formed.

Fried Mashed Potatoes (Potato Pancakes From Mashed Potatoes)
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover creamy mashed potatoes
- 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or vegan butter)
Toppings
- vegan sour cream or tzatziki
- fresh herbs or chives
Instructions
- Using clean hands, shape the cold mashed potatoes into 5-6 equal sized patties. If they are not sticking, see notes below.
- In a non-stick pan on medium heat, add 1 tbsp of olive oil or vegan butter.
- Fry each patty for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Add another tbsp of olive oil if needed.
- Serve with vegan sour cream and green onions and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Conclusion: Mashed Potato Pancakes
In conclusion, mashed potato pancakes provide a tasty and clever way to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes. With simple ingredients and easy steps, this recipe ensures a delightful culinary experience.
Whether you’re making a quick snack or a side dish, these crispy, golden-brown pancakes are sure to impress. Try pairing them with my homemade Vegan Tzatziki Sauce Recipe for an extra burst of flavor. Enjoy the simplicity and versatility of mashed potato pancakes in your kitchen today!
Such a great idea thank you, my left over mashed potato’s were very dry to adding the flax egg was such a smart idea thank you. 😊
You’re welcome! I’m glad the addition of a flax egg worked well to revive your leftover mashed potatoes.
Loved this idea! Nice way to make my leftovers feel like a new dish.
I’m glad you enjoyed the idea! Repurposing leftovers can indeed breathe new life into dishes. Thanks for trying it out!