Air Fryer Potato Cakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Potato cakes are a delicious and easy way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. They can be made in an air fryer, resulting in a crispy golden brown exterior and a fluffy interior. The basic ingredients for potato cakes are mashed potatoes, flour, and eggs, but you can also add cheese, garlic, chives, and bacon bits for extra flavour. To make potato cakes in an air fryer, simply combine the ingredients, shape them into patties, and air fry for about 10 minutes.

How to make potato cakes in an air fryer

Ingredients

Depending on your preference, you can use leftover mashed potatoes or make them from scratch. If you're making them from scratch, you'll need:

• Potatoes (russet, Yukon Gold, or King Edward are recommended)
• Oil (avocado oil or macadamia oil are good choices)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Additional ingredients of your choice (see below)

For the mashed potato mixture, you can include:

• Shredded cheese (sharp white cheddar, Colby Jack, or Parmesan)
• All-purpose flour or breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Garlic (freshly minced or garlic powder)
• Chives, scallions, or green onions
• Bacon bits or diced bacon
• Spices (red pepper flakes, Greek seasoning, Italian seasoning)

Optional sauces to serve with:

• Sour cream
• Ketchup
• Ranch

Method

• If making mashed potatoes from scratch, start by boiling the potatoes until soft. Let them cool, then peel and grate them.
• Add oil, salt, and pepper to the grated potatoes and mix well.
• Preheat your air fryer to 190°C or 375°F.
• Prepare the mashed potato mixture by combining mashed potatoes, cheese, egg, garlic, and any additional seasonings in a large bowl. Mix until well blended.
• Use a medium scoop to portion out the mixture and shape it into patties about 1/2-inch thick.
• Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 10-20 minutes.
• Remove from the freezer and place the patties in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Spritz or brush the patties with oil.
• Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes.
• Flip the patties, spritz or brush with oil again, and air fry for another 5 minutes.
• Garnish with parsley, sour cream, and chives, and serve!

Tips:

• If your mashed potatoes are too wet, add a little more flour to help the patties bind together.
• The potato cake mixture will be sticky, so you may need to rinse your hands a few times while shaping the patties.
• For even cooking, air fry the potato cakes in a single layer.
• You can freeze the potato cakes before or after cooking. If freezing before, cover the patties with plastic wrap and freeze until solid, then remove the wrap and place the patties in a stack with parchment paper between them.

What ingredients are needed

Making potato cakes in an air fryer is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. The cakes will be golden brown and crispy on the outside with a light, fluffy and creamy centre.

The ingredients you will need are:

• Mashed potatoes – Use 2 to 3 cups of cold mashed potatoes. The potatoes should be chilled so they've had a chance to thicken.
• Eggs – One or two large eggs will help bind the potato cakes.
• Flour – Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, which also acts as a binder.
• Seasonings – A simple mix of salt, pepper and garlic powder is needed. You can add different seasonings if you prefer. If your mashed potatoes are not already seasoned, you will need to add more salt and pepper.
• Cheese – You can add shredded cheese, such as sharp white cheddar, Colby jack, or cheddar.
• Chives – You can add chopped fresh chives to the potato patties and have some on hand for garnish. You can also use chopped green onion (scallions) or parsley.
• Bacon Bits – You can add some diced bacon or bacon crumbles for a little extra flavour.
• Oil – Use a spray oil or non-stick cooking spray, or brush on some extra virgin olive oil to help the patties get golden brown and crispy.
• Breadcrumbs – You can use all-purpose flour or breadcrumbs, or even panko, to coat the patties before air frying.

How to serve potato cakes

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

As a Side Dish

Potato cakes can be an excellent side dish to a main course. They pair well with roasted chicken, grilled steak, pork chops, shrimp, or salmon or a hearty beef stew. Serve them with a dollop of sour cream, or if you prefer something sweet, a bit of apple sauce. You can also top them with cottage cheese, cream cheese, green onions, ranch dressing, a poached egg, fresh tomatoes, red peppers, or tomato-basil jam.

For Breakfast or Brunch

Potato cakes are a great breakfast or brunch option. You can serve them with egg bites, turkey bacon, or as "soldiers" with boiled eggs. For a heartier meal, pair them with a full cooked breakfast or top them with baked beans and cheese. If you're looking for something simpler, they can be enjoyed warm or cold as a snack, or toasted with butter.

As a Snack

Potato cakes also make a filling snack on the go. Try them with a fried egg on top and a bit of ketchup, or with melted cheese and grilled tomatoes. You can also top them with a poached egg or scrambled egg.

In a Sandwich

Potato cakes can be a delicious addition to a sandwich. Try them in a bacon or sausage buttie, or with your favorite sandwich fillings.

As a Main Course

For a more substantial meal, serve potato cakes with a side of crispy Brussels sprouts, balsamic roasted asparagus, or a spinach salad. You can also pair them with other side dishes like Texas Roadhouse Green Beans or Air Fryer Sausage & Peppers.

How to store and reheat potato cakes

Potato cakes are best enjoyed hot and crispy, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze potato cakes. Arrange the cooled patties in a single layer, or place them between sheets of parchment or wax paper in a freezer-safe container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

To reheat the patties, air fry at 400°F for 5-7 minutes. If they were frozen, let them defrost first in the fridge before reheating. You can also reheat potato cakes in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F for fresh or refrigerated potato cakes, or 400°F for frozen ones. Place a baking rack on a baking sheet and arrange the potato cakes on the rack. Make sure they don't overlap or touch each other. Bake for about five minutes for fresh potato cakes and 10 minutes for frozen ones.

What type of potatoes to use

When making potato cakes in an air fryer, it is important to use potatoes that are high in starch and low in moisture. This will help create a light and fluffy texture that browns nicely in the air fryer.

The best potatoes to use for potato cakes are low-moisture potatoes such as Russet, Yukon Gold, Idaho, Dutch Cream, Royal Blue, or King Edward potatoes. These varieties will create fluffy, creamy, and thick mashed potatoes, which are ideal for potato cakes.

If you are using grated potatoes, the type of potato is less important, and you can use whatever you have available. However, if you are looking for the best results, Russet potatoes are a good option for grated potato cakes as well.

Frequently asked questions