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Mashed Air Fryer Potato Pancakes

Air Fryer potato pancakes are the best way to use leftover mashed potatoes into a new meal or side dish. Crispy outside with cheese inside.

Air Fryer Potato Pancakes

Looking for the best leftover mashed potato recipe? Try air fryer potato pancakes with cheese, bacon bits and chives baked right in. With a crispy outside and creamy inside you’ll get hooked on these after the holidays for sure. One of many easy air fryer recipes on The Typical Mom blog. (affiliate links present)

Ninja Foodi Potato Pancakes

You can use whichever brand of machine you have. I have three of them and really they all work basically the same. Some have a larger air fryer basket so you can cook in fewer batches but other than that there’s no difference. Gets all my food crispy and crunch on the outside like we love.

Homemade potato pancakes are a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes. We love making air fryer mashed potato balls out of them too. I hate wasting food so if I can make a delicious second dish the next day (that takes like it’s new and fresh) it’s a win.

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Potato Pancakes in Air Fryer

Yes you could certainly make these out of freshly made Instant Pot mashed potatoes. I typically use it the day after Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas though. You can use it as is or add more yum into the mix before you air fry them into patties.

Best add ins to us are:

  • Bacon bits
  • Leftover ham diced fine
  • Diced chives
  • Minced onions
  • Shredded cheese
  • Finely diced air fryer garlic bits are great

On the top you could add all of these too and/or add them both inside and on top. Sour cream is a must at the end though if you ask me. It adds a creaminess to the crispy outside texture and is the way I ate them as a child so we go with that as a must.

potato pancakes recipe

Leftover Mashed Potatoes Recipe

You may have made smashed potatoes air fryer style the day before and made way too many. This would work great for those too even if the skins were left on.

Typically these are made with “regular” mashed taters but mashed sweet potatoes would be wonderful too. Top with a sugar and cinnamon blend for a breakfast treat maybe. You’ll want to add a bit of all purpose flour into the mix to stiffen them up. Makes sense since as is they would be too soft.

An egg works together to make them into a stiffer dough of sorts that you can flatten with the palms of your hands. To prevent sticking for this, use a bit of foil or parchment paper underneath them. Typically I do not recommend this because it prevents the air flow but it’s kinda’ a must for these.

POTATO PANCAKE IN THE AIR FRYER

Mashed Potato Pancakes

You’ll want to flip these babies over half way thru because the bottom is not exposed to the hot air. This way both sides get crispy the way you’ve had them at restaurants. There is a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at how we did it here:

  • In a large bowl mix all ingredients together. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F for 5 minutes.
    • Lay a small piece of non stick aluminum foil (or parchment paper) in your air fryer basket, if not spray non stick cooking spray on your foil.
  • Make patties that use about 1/4 c. of your potato mixture. Lay on foil without overlapping them.
  • Cook for about 8 minutes, then flip patties over and cook an additional 5-8 minutes or until the outsides are as crispy golden brown as you’d like.
  • Top your crispy potato pancakes with sour cream, seasonings like garlic salt and/or salt and pepper, green onions and diced chives.

You do not need a pan like we used with our air fryer pancakes for breakfast as the batter is thick enough using this method. Make just a few or in batches keeping what is already cooked on a tray in the oven until they are all done.

ninja foodi potato pancakes

These are different than air fryer latkes as those you would need to grate potatoes from scratch. I am working on creating those so you can have both on hand to try out. This potato pancake recipe is just as good, just different. You can jump to recipe below but remember the nutritional information will vary depending on your prior recipe.

Mashed Potato Cakes Air Fryer

If you don’t have leftovers but want to make this in an easier way, grab a bag of instant mashed taters here and then follow instructions below. Want to make a crispier alternative version? Try our air fryer latkes some night.

Didn’t finish them all the first go around? Can you save them? Yes and no. If you used leftovers I probably wouldn’t chill again and then reheat once more. However if you made from fresh I’d keep and reheat in your air fryer at 400 fro 2 minutes the next day. Wrap them in foil once cooled and enjoy again within 1-2 days later for best results.

They are really best fresh right out of the basket though because the texture will change quite a bit when they are chilled.

potato pancakes air fryer

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potato pancakes air fryer
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3.88 from 8 votes

Air Fryer Potato Pancakes

Air Fryer potato pancakes are the best way to use leftover mashed potatoes into a new meal or side dish. Crispy outside with cheese inside.
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer, leftover recipe, ninja foodi, potato pancakes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 196kcal
Author The Typical Mom

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a bowl mix all ingredients together. Preheat air fryer to 380 degrees F for 5 minutes. Lay a small piece of non stick aluminum foil in your air fryer basket, or spray foil with olive oil spray.
  • Make patties that use about 1/4 c. of your mixture. Lay on foil without overlapping patties.
  • Cook for 8 minutes, then flip patties over and cook an additional 5-8 minutes or until the outsides are as crispy as you'd like.
  • Top with sour cream, salt and pepper and diced chives.

Video

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Potato Pancakes
Amount Per Serving (1 oz)
Calories 196 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 47mg16%
Sodium 155mg7%
Potassium 270mg8%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 270IU5%
Vitamin C 17mg21%
Calcium 150mg15%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe Rating




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Ali

Thursday 27th of July 2023

These potato pancakes were so easy to make in the air fryer! They turned out extra crispy, the kids loved them!

Ned

Thursday 27th of July 2023

I loved the cheesy center of these delicious potato pancakes! Thank for an awesome recipe!

Liza

Thursday 27th of July 2023

What an absolutely wonderful recipe! These potato pancakes are so heavenly - cheesy, crispy and delicious!

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