Air-Fryer Potato Cakes: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Air fryer potato cakes are a quick, easy, and tasty way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. They can be made with a variety of ingredients, including potatoes, flour, eggs, cheese, and various seasonings, and are cooked in an air fryer, a healthier alternative to frying in a skillet. The cakes are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, making them a delicious side dish or appetizer.

Choosing the right potatoes

Potato Variety

The variety of potato you choose plays a crucial role in the final texture and taste of your potato cakes. It is recommended to use potatoes that are high in starch and low in moisture. This ensures your cakes turn out light, fluffy, and golden brown. The best varieties to use include Russet, Yukon Gold, Idaho, and King Edward potatoes. These potatoes are known for their ability to produce fluffy and creamy mashed potatoes, which are ideal for shaping into cakes.

Preparation

When preparing your potatoes, it is best to boil them until they are soft. This usually takes around 20 minutes in a pot of boiling water, or you can boil them on high pressure for about 10 minutes in an instant pot. You'll know they're ready when you can easily pierce them with a knife. Once boiled, let the potatoes cool down before peeling and grating or mashing them. Using cold mashed potatoes is ideal, as it gives the mixture time to thicken, making it easier to shape into patties.

Freshness

While you can use leftover mashed potatoes for this recipe, it's best to start with fresh potatoes whenever possible. This ensures that your potato cakes have the best flavour and texture. If you're using leftover mashed potatoes, make sure they are cold and have thickened before using them to form the patties.

Storage

If you're not using all of your potatoes at once, proper storage is important. Store uncooked potatoes in a cool, dark place to prevent sprouting. Cooked potato cakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, depending on the freshness of your mashed potatoes. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.

Preparing the potatoes

To boil the potatoes, place them in a saucepan of boiling water and cook until they are soft. This should take at least 20 minutes, or you can test them by piercing them with a knife—if the knife goes through easily, they are ready. If you are using an instant pot, boil the potatoes on high pressure for 10 minutes and then release the pressure after 5 minutes.

Once the potatoes are boiled, let them cool, and then peel them. You can use a grater or a food processor to grate the potatoes. If you are making mashed potatoes, you can simply mash them with a potato masher or a fork.

For mashed potato cakes, you will need to add some additional ingredients to the potatoes. This typically includes an egg, flour, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add shredded cheese, bacon bits, and green onions for extra flavor. Simply combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well combined.

For grated potato cakes, you will typically combine the grated potatoes with flour, an egg, and seasonings. You can also add shredded cheese, bacon bits, and green onions to this mixture if desired. Again, simply combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well blended.

Making the mixture

Once you have grated your potatoes, add in your other ingredients. This can include cold leftover mashed potatoes, flour, cheese, egg, and seasonings. For the cheese, you can use shredded sharp white cheddar or any other type of cheddar or Colby Jack. For the flour, you can use all-purpose white flour or even substitute it with breadcrumbs or panko. The egg acts as a binder to hold the mixture together. As for seasonings, you can add garlic (either minced or garlic powder), salt, pepper, and green onions or chives. You can also add bacon bits or other spices like red pepper flakes for an extra kick. Simply mix and stir until everything is well combined.

If your mixture turns out too sticky, you can add a little more flour to help it bind together. On the other hand, if your mixture is too dry, you can add a little liquid such as milk or water.

Shaping the cakes

Shaping the potato cakes is a crucial step in ensuring they hold together during cooking and achieve the desired crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Here is a detailed guide on shaping potato cakes for an air fryer:

Firstly, prepare your potato mixture by combining your chosen ingredients in a large bowl. Common ingredients include mashed potatoes, grated potato, flour, cheese, egg, garlic, and seasonings. Mix until well combined and relatively thick. If your mixture is too wet, gradually add more flour to achieve a thicker consistency.

Once you have a well-combined mixture, it's time to portion it out into individual patties. Use a 1/4 cup measuring cup or a cookie scoop to evenly portion out the mixture. This will ensure your potato cakes are all relatively the same size and will cook evenly.

Next, gently shape the portions into patties. For most recipes, you'll want to aim for a thickness of around 1/2 an inch. This thickness will allow for even cooking and ensure the cakes are not too dense or too thin and fragile.

If you're using a cookie cutter to create a specific shape, now is the time to use it. Simply press the cookie cutter into the portioned mixture to create your desired shape. This step is entirely optional, as you can easily shape the patties by hand.

When shaping the patties, keep in mind that you want them to be compact and well-formed. The mixture will likely be sticky, so you may need to rinse your hands a few times during this process. Be careful not to add too much extra flour to your hands, as this can dry out the mixture.

Finally, place the shaped potato cakes on a baking sheet or tray. If you plan to freeze or chill the cakes before cooking, place them in a single layer on the sheet to avoid sticking. If you're preparing the cakes for immediate cooking, you can place them directly in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap.

Cooking the cakes

Now that your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the potato cakes! Place the patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the cakes in batches. Brush or spray the tops of the patties with oil.

Air fry the cakes at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. Once the tops are golden brown, carefully flip them over and brush or spray more oil on the other side. Continue air frying for an additional 6-7 minutes, or until both sides are browned and crispy.

If you're making a large batch, keep the first batch warm in the oven while cooking the rest. You can also freeze any leftover cakes for future enjoyment. Simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to indulge again, defrost and reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5-7 minutes.

Serve your potato cakes with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives or green onions. For a heartier meal, add some bacon bits or diced bacon on top. Enjoy your crispy, golden treats!

Frequently asked questions