Air Fryer Potato Pancakes are my favorite side dish! They’re quick and easy and use up leftovers! It’s a way to totally transform leftover mashed potatoes into something tasty and unique!
A potato pancake also can be known as latke, boxty or plaki – depending on what region you’re from – they’re all very similar. Most folks fry these babies up in a skillet – but that’s a lot of added fat and mess! Using your air fryer is so much healthier!
What are Potato Pancakes made of?
Depending on which version you’re making – there’s grated or ground potato, flour and a binder like egg – then flavor is added with garlic and other seasonings. My favorite potato pancakes have:
- mashed AND grated potato – this gives you a great texture!
- cheese – I love sharp white cheddar but any cheddar or colby jack would be great too
- flour
- egg
- garlic
- chives
- salt & pepper
How do you make air fryer potato pancakes?
- In a large batter bowl, mix together leftover mashed potatoes (you want them cold), 1 grated russet potato, flour, cheese, egg and seasonings
- Place a sheet of parchment on a rimmed baking sheet
- Using a medium batter scoop, make patties by putting scoop of mixture on parchment and pressing it down slightly
- Freeze the patties for 10-20 minutes
- Remove from freezer and place patties in air fryer (I had to do 2 batches)
- I recommend using a thin metal spatula – the mixture does not make a solid patty – you need the thin spatula to get all the way underneath and put in air fryer
- Spritz with olive oil and air fry at 400 for 5 min
- Flip, spritz and air fry 5 min more
- Serve with sour cream and chives!
FAQs
Yes definitely – you can freeze before or after making them.
If freezing before – cover batter patties with plastic wrap and freeze until solid. Then remove the pucks and place them in a stack with parchment paper between them.
Yes – definitely! Freeze the pucks and take them out when ready to make.
Air fry for 3-4 minutes at 350. You want a lower temp so they heat but not continue to brown.
What to serve with Potato Pancakes?
Potato pancakes go great with so many things – I dove into these with some Amana Cheddar Brats (from home!!) – but here are some other favorites:
Best Air Fryer Accessories
Here’s my ultimate list of best air fryer accessories – whether you have a basket- or oven-style! I’ve also included a price guide as well as my favorite recipes for those accessories.
Air Fryer Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup leftover chilled mashed potatoes
- 1 russet potato grated
- 1/3 cup flour
- 3/4 cup sharp white cheddar cheese grated
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp chives
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a large batter bowl, mix together leftover mashed potatoes (you want them cold), 1 grated russet potato, flour, cheese, egg and seasonings
- Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment
- Using medium scoop, scoop out 8 balls of mixture and place on parchment
- Flatten scoops of potato patties slightly
- Place baking sheet in freezer for 10-15 minutes
- remove from freezer, using metal spatula (thin so it can get under patties – they won't be frozen, just chilled) lay four pancakes into air fryer
- spritz with olive oil and air fry at 400 for 5 min
- Open air fryer, flip, spritz with oil, sprinkle with salt and air fry at 400 for 5 min more
- Serve with sour cream, salt and more chives
maryanne says
What a great way to use up my mashed potatoes! So much more flavor (and healthier!) than pan frying, and I love the subtle bite from garlic and chives! Definitely a repeat recipe!
Tara says
Oh yum! Such a wonderful use of leftovers. Love the texture of the potato pancakes with the air fryer too.
Serena says
Such a great use of leftover potatoes. And super quick which makes for a great weeknight side dish.
Lima Ekram says
Was surprised to see how crispy they were! A great air fryer recipe!!
Jac says
Super tasty little potato pancakes! Love all recipes with potatoes as they are just so economical and versatile!