Description
These crispy mashed potato pancakes are filled with a savory meat center, creating a perfect blend of creamy, crunchy, and flavorful. Ideal for using leftover mashed potatoes, they make a satisfying main dish, appetizer, or snack.
Ingredients
- Potato dough:
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Savory meat filling:
- 1/2 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- For frying:
- Vegetable oil, enough for 1/4-inch depth in the pan
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add ground meat, breaking it apart. Season with paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5–8 minutes until browned and moisture has evaporated. Stir in parsley (optional) and let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine cold mashed potatoes, egg, flour, salt, and pepper. Mix until a soft dough forms. Add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky.
- Lightly flour your hands. Flatten about 2 tablespoons of dough in your palm, spoon in 1 tablespoon of cooled meat filling, and shape into a sealed patty about 3 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet to 1/4-inch depth over medium heat. Fry pancakes in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Avoid overcrowding.
- Drain on paper towels or a wire rack. Serve hot.
Notes
- Use cold mashed potatoes for best texture and binding.
- Let meat filling cool completely before shaping pancakes.
- To bake instead of fry, brush with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve with sour cream, yogurt sauce, or a fresh side salad.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Eastern European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pancakes
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
