This Potato Pancakes Recipe is the best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. This cheesy mashed potato pancakes recipe is well loved by everyone in our family. This is just about the only way that my kids will eat mashed potatoes and by “eat,” I mean they wolf them down!

Cheesy mashed potato pancakes recipe - best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Mashed Potato Pancakes are crispy outside and loaded with melty cheese! | natashaskitchen.com

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There’s just something about that beautiful cheese pull with each one that makes these completely irresistible. Potato pancakes are quick and easy to make and have the simplest ingredients.

Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest and YES, it’s totally worth it to make mashed potatoes just to have these potato pancakes! P.S. Don’t miss the sweet little taste test with my son at the end of the video! 

Watch How To Make Mashed Potato Pancakes:

All that melty cheese! I want these all over again. Seriously my friends, these are GOOD! I love how forgiving these potato pancakes are. We usually wing it and “eye-ball” the recipe except for when we measured everything just for you!

Cheesy mashed potato pancakes recipe - best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Mashed Potato Pancakes are crispy outside and loaded with melty cheese! | natashaskitchen.com

Ingredients for Potato Pancake Recipe:

4 cups mashed potatoes*
2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 large egg
1/4 cup flour (or up to 1/2 cup flour for creamier potatoes)
2 to 3 Tbsp chives, chopped
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
Light Olive oil or Canola oil to sauté
Sour cream to serve

Cheesy mashed potato pancakes recipe - best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Mashed Potato Pancakes are crispy outside and loaded with melty cheese! | natashaskitchen.com

*This recipe works best with mashed potatoes that are not ultra creamy and buttery, and if they are, you may need a little more flour for them to hold a patty shape. This recipe is not intended for use with instant mashed potatoes.

Cheesy mashed potato pancakes recipe - best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Mashed Potato Pancakes are crispy outside and loaded with melty cheese! | natashaskitchen.com

Time Saving Tip: Use a trigger release ice cream scoop, scraping the scoop against the side of the bowl to quickly and easily create uniform patties.

Cheesy mashed potato pancakes recipe - best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Mashed Potato Pancakes are crispy outside and loaded with melty cheese! | natashaskitchen.com

⬇ Print-Friendly Mashed Potato Pancakes Recipe:

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Cheesy Potato Pancakes Recipe (VIDEO)

4.96 from 102 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Cheesy potato pancakes are the best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and yes it is absolutely worth it to make mashed potatoes just for this recipe!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 makes 22 potato pancakes
  • 4 cups mashed potatoes, *
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, (8 oz)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, or up to 1/2 cup flour for creamier potatoes
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp chives, chopped
  • 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
  • 2 Tbsp Light Olive oil , or Canola oil to sauté
  • Sour cream to serve

Instructions

How to Make Mashed Potatoes:

  • Fill a 5 Qt pot with water. Add 1 Tbsp salt and peeled quartered russet potatoes (2 lbs or about 7 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered). Cook until easily pierced with fork. Drain well and mash in 4 Tbsp butter then let cool to room temp. Mashed potatoes can be made 1 - 3 days ahead.

How to Make Mashed Potato Pancakes:

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups mashed potatoes, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 large egg, 1/4 cup flour and 2 Tbsp chopped chives. Use a potato masher to mash the mixture together until well mixed. If the potatoes are too loose to hold a patty shape, add flour a Tablespoon at a time.
  • Place a heaping tablespoonful of potato mixture between your palms and form into a round, 1/3" thick patty. Dredge both sides of the pancake in bread crumbs and set on a cutting board. Repeat with remaining pancakes.
  • Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat with enough oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pan. Once oil is hot, add patties in a single layer and sauté 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining patties, adding more oil as needed. I usually have 2 skillets going at once to finish sooner.

Notes

*Recipe works best with mashed potatoes that aren't super creamy. If they are very moist, you may need a little more flour for them to hold a patty shape. Do not use instant mashed potatoes.

Nutrition Per Serving

270kcal Calories32g Carbs10g Protein10g Fat4g Saturated Fat42mg Cholesterol264mg Sodium371mg Potassium2g Fiber1g Sugar260IU Vitamin A24.8mg Vitamin C165mg Calcium1.1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Cheesy Potato Pancakes Recipe (VIDEO)
Amount per Serving
Calories
270
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
10
g
15
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Cholesterol
 
42
mg
14
%
Sodium
 
264
mg
11
%
Potassium
 
371
mg
11
%
Carbohydrates
 
32
g
11
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
10
g
20
%
Vitamin A
 
260
IU
5
%
Vitamin C
 
24.8
mg
30
%
Calcium
 
165
mg
17
%
Iron
 
1.1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Cheesy Potato Pancakes
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 270

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Cheesy mashed potato pancakes recipe - best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Mashed Potato Pancakes are crispy outside and loaded with melty cheese! | natashaskitchen.com

If you try this mashed potato pancakes recipe, let me know!! Oh p.s. you can also use dill if you don’t have chives.

Cheesy mashed potato pancakes recipe - best way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Mashed Potato Pancakes are crispy outside and loaded with melty cheese! | natashaskitchen.com

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

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Comments

  • Melissa
    December 17, 2023

    I’ve made these a couple times before for my family and my kids love them!! Your recipes are always so easy to follow and always a hit.
    I’m making them for Christmas family dinner this year. Would they taste just as good if made ahead of time like the day before? If not, what’s the best way to keep them warm for dinner as we’ll be taking them to my bro inlaw house? Thank you Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 17, 2023

      Thank you, Melissa for sharing that with us. These are freezer friendly so you can make this ahead. Just make sure to thaw then before heating.

      Reply

      • Melissa
        December 22, 2023

        Thank you! And which way would be best to warm them up after thawing? Microwave??

        Reply

        • Natasha
          December 22, 2023

          Hi Melissa, I love these warmed up on a skillet – it’s easy and the texture on the outside is lovely on the skillet.

          Reply

  • Margaret Mcgill
    November 30, 2023

    Had a lot of leftover mashed potato and planned on making these after Thanksgiving. They came out great. I froze some and will enjoy later. I had purchased an electric griddle which allowed me to make quick cooking of these!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 30, 2023

      That’s great, Margaret! So glad you loved the recipe.

      Reply

  • Tanya V
    August 21, 2023

    Hi Natasha I was wondering if the mashed potatoes are supposed to be cold or just made?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 22, 2023

      Hi Tanya! We used cold, leftover mashed potatoes.

      Reply

  • Chris H
    March 14, 2023

    I made some with left mashed potato and added sauteed chopped onion and finely chopped bacon as well as the cheese. They were so good I am making them again

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 15, 2023

      Hello Chris, all yum! Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply

  • Lisa
    February 18, 2023

    I haven’t seen a comment on it but do you think I can make a sheet tray full, put on parchment paper and bake them??

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 18, 2023

      Hi Lisa! Some of our readers have baked these and said they enjoyed them that way. One reader wrote: “I sprayed them with cooking spray on each side and I baked them at 400F for about 7-8 mins per side. They were wonderful!” I hope this helps.

      Reply

  • Vivienne
    August 2, 2022

    Are these good eaten cold on picnic, or for lunch?
    I love most of your recipes, thank-you for sharing.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      August 2, 2022

      Hi Vivienne. I think these are best served warm. 🙂

      Reply

  • Khrystyna K.
    July 17, 2022

    ***The best potato pancakes I’ve ever had! Thank you so much for the recipe. I had to make 2 batches – they were gone in 10 minutes! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 17, 2022

      Happy to know that it was a huge hit!

      Reply

  • Claudia
    June 22, 2022

    Great recipe, so delicious! I would do it again. I also added some canned tuna to add more protein and it was a hit at lunch.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 22, 2022

      So glad you enjoyed it, Claudia!

      Reply

  • Jessalynn Sadler
    June 10, 2022

    These were perfect and delicious!
    I substituted the plain bread crumbs for Panko bread crumbs because that is what I had on hand. This recipe is a keeper!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      June 10, 2022

      That’s great to know. So glad you found a keeper. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Carolyn
    June 7, 2022

    Is there a difference in toasted buckwheat and it not being toasted does it make a difference in taste .I finally found some buckwheat groats and had I time cooking it .

    Reply

  • Dawn
    May 22, 2022

    I made these with leftover potatoes & garlic from a crawfish boil. Just peeled them & mashed them, & added all the other Ingredients. They were perfect.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 22, 2022

      Sounds perfect indeed, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the review, Dawn.

      Reply

  • Janice Shibley-Morel
    May 18, 2022

    Sorry Natasha, no pictures😭 They were eaten so fast I missed taking one. My family just loved these potato pancakes! We don’t often have leftover mashed potatoes because we’re 8, so when I do I will be making this recipe again, many times I’m sure. Thank you😊❤

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 18, 2022

      No worries, you will not be able to share pictures here too but feel free to share them in our Facebook page or group. Thanks for the awesome review!

      Reply

  • Mark Salomon
    April 2, 2022

    Do you think Italian seasoning would be a good substitute for the chives?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 3, 2022

      Hi Mark, I haven’t tested that to advise. If you have onion powder, I think that will work too.

      Reply

  • Allen P
    March 2, 2022

    Ultra creamy or super creamy, I just can’t tell what level of creamy my left over mashed potatoes fall under. I’m thinking they are just really REALLY creamy.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 2, 2022

      Did you like it? How was the taste and how’s the recipe overall?

      Reply

  • Ruby
    February 21, 2022

    It looks so devine. What can I substitute for the the egg as I am vegetartian

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 22, 2022

      Hi Ruby, I haven’t tried it without egg (it might still work just omitting it), One of my readers suggested a vegan egg replacer which might work if you have something like that on hand.

      Reply

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