Making Mashed Potato Cakes: Deep Fryer Vs Pan

Mashed potato cakes are a delicious way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. They can be made in a variety of ways, including frying, baking, or air frying. While there are many different recipes for mashed potato cakes, most include flour, eggs, and cheese to help bind the mixture together. Some recipes also include bacon, herbs, or vegetables for added flavor and texture. Mashed potato cakes can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or even a vegetarian main course. They can also be customized to suit different dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free or dairy-free options. Overall, mashed potato cakes are a versatile and tasty way to transform leftover mashed potatoes into a new and exciting dish.

Can you deep fry mashed potato cakes?

Yes, you can deep fry mashed potato cakes! In fact, mashed potato cakes are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. They are simple and quick to make, and only require a few ingredients.

To make mashed potato cakes, you will need mashed potatoes, flour, eggs, and some kind of fat for frying. You can also add cheese, herbs, or spices for extra flavour. Mix the mashed potatoes with the flour, eggs, and any additional ingredients, and form the mixture into patties.

When deep frying mashed potato cakes, it is important to make sure that the oil is hot before adding the patties to the pan. This will help ensure that the cakes get crispy and golden brown, without being greasy. Fry the patties for a few minutes on each side, until they are cooked through.

Mashed potato cakes can be served as a side dish, an appetizer, or even a vegetarian main course. They can be served with a variety of toppings or dips, such as sour cream, apple sauce, salsa, or a sauce made with mustard and mayonnaise.

In addition to being delicious, mashed potato cakes are also versatile. You can add a variety of ingredients to the basic recipe to create different flavours, such as pizza potato cakes, taco cakes, or Greek-inspired cakes with sundried tomatoes and feta cheese.

What ingredients do you need?

Making mashed potato cakes is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. The ingredients you need will vary depending on the type of potato cake you want to make, but here is a list of common ingredients used in mashed potato cakes:

• Cold mashed potatoes: These form the base of your potato cakes. You can use leftover mashed potatoes, or make them from scratch. It is recommended to use real mashed potatoes rather than instant ones as they tend to be thicker and easier to handle.
• Flour: All-purpose flour or self-rising flour can be used to help bind the potato cakes together. The amount of flour needed may vary depending on the consistency of your mashed potatoes. If your mashed potatoes are runnier, you may need to add more flour. You can also use gluten-free flour if needed.
• Eggs: Eggs act as a binder and help hold the potato cakes together. They also add moisture and richness to the cakes.
• Cheese: Cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, or other shredded cheeses can be added for extra flavour. Cheese also helps to bind the cakes together.
• Vegetables: You can add various vegetables to your potato cakes, such as onions, green onions, spinach, carrots, or peppers.
• Seasonings: You can add dried herbs like thyme, parsley, basil, or rosemary, or spices like onion powder, garlic powder, or black pepper to enhance the flavour of your potato cakes.
• Oil: Vegetable oil, olive oil, or butter is needed for frying the potato cakes.

Once you have your ingredients, you can mix them together, form them into patties, and fry them until golden brown.

What temperature should the oil be?

The ideal temperature for deep-frying depends on the type of food being cooked and the portion size. The average temperature range for deep-frying is between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 160 and 180 degrees Celsius.

For example, chicken should be fried between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius to 190 degrees Celsius), and the oil temperature should never fall below 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius). On the other hand, French fries are typically cooked at a lower temperature of 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius) for the first fry, and then the temperature is increased to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) for the second fry.

It is important to note that if the oil is at too low a temperature, the food may become soggy and greasy. Conversely, if the oil is too hot, the food can burn on the outside while remaining undercooked on the inside.

To ensure that mashed potato cakes are cooked evenly and have a crispy, golden exterior, the oil temperature should be maintained within the average range of 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. A cooking thermometer can be used to monitor the oil temperature and adjust the heat as needed.

Additionally, it is recommended to heat the oil first before adding the potato cakes to the fryer. This helps prevent the potato cakes from sticking to the pan.

How long do you fry for?

Frying time for mashed potato cakes depends on the desired texture and the amount of heat applied. For a soft centre with a crispy exterior, fry each side for about 3 to 5 minutes on medium heat. If you prefer a more well-done texture, increase the heat to medium-high and fry for about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown.

It is important to note that the oil should be hot before adding the potato mixture to the pan. This ensures that the cakes are crispy and not greasy. Additionally, flattening the mixture into patties while frying will help ensure even cooking.

For a deeper golden brown colour, you can fry the cakes for an additional minute on each side, but be careful not to burn them.

How do you serve mashed potato cakes?

Mashed potato cakes are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:

As a Side Dish

Mashed potato cakes can be served as a side with a variety of main courses. They pair well with meat dishes such as grilled chicken, pork chops, meatloaf, roasted chicken, or beef brisket. They can also be served alongside soup and a green salad.

For Breakfast

Mashed potato cakes are a tasty breakfast option. Serve them with eggs, bacon, or sausage, or avocado slices. For a dollop of flavour, add some sour cream or salsa.

As an Appetizer

Mashed potato cakes can be served as an appetizer or starter. They can be dipped in ketchup, apple sauce, or salsa, or a homemade sauce made with mustard and mayonnaise or sour cream.

For a Vegetarian Main

For a hearty vegetarian option, mashed potato cakes can be served with mushroom gravy. For a lighter option, serve with smoked salmon and a dollop of dill sour cream.

As a Base for Eggs Benedict

Instead of the traditional English muffin, mashed potato cakes can be used as a base for Eggs Benedict. Top them with poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, and your favourite toppings like smoked salmon or sautéed spinach.

Variations and Customisations

Mashed potato cakes are highly customisable and can be made to suit your taste preferences. Here are some variations you can try:

• Add your favourite cheese, such as cheddar, Parmesan, or Swiss cheese.
• Mix in vegetables like onions, green onions, bell peppers, or spinach.
• Add herbs and spices like thyme, parsley, basil, rosemary, onion powder, or garlic powder.
• For a crispy coating, use panko instead of flour.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour or cornstarch.
• Get creative with your favourite ingredients and make your own variations!

Frequently asked questions