Air-Fried Potato Pancakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Potato pancakes, also known as potato fritters, latkes, boxty, or plaki, are a tasty and unique dish that can be made in an air fryer. They are crispy and fluffy, with a golden brown exterior and a soft interior. This dish is perfect for using up leftover mashed potatoes and can be served as a side or a main. In this article, we will guide you through the simple steps to make delicious potato pancakes in your air fryer.

How to make the potato pancakes

How to Make Potato Pancakes in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

• Leftover mashed potatoes
• Green onions/scallions
• Flour (all-purpose, gluten-free, or breadcrumbs)
• Egg
• Garlic (fresh or powder)
• Spices (salt, pepper, paprika, oregano)
• Oil (for spraying or brushing)
• Sour cream (optional, for serving)

Optional Ingredients

• Cheese (cheddar or colby jack)
• Bacon bits
• Red pepper flakes
• Greek seasoning
• Ketchup or ranch (for serving)

Method

• Combine the mashed potatoes, diced green onions, flour, egg, and spices in a large bowl.
• Mix all the ingredients well.
• Form the mixture into patties.
• Place the patties into the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Spray or brush the tops of the patties with oil.
• Air fry at 380-400°F for 8-10 minutes.
• Carefully flip the patties over and spray or brush more oil on the other side.
• Continue air frying for another 6-10 minutes, or until the patties are golden brown and crispy.
• Plate the potato pancakes and serve with a side of sour cream, if desired.

How to cook the pancakes in the air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the potato pancake mixture

First, gather and prepare your ingredients. You will need potatoes, flour, eggs, and any desired seasonings. You can use mashed potatoes, grated potatoes, or hash browns. If using grated potatoes, be sure to squeeze out any excess water. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes with your desired seasonings, flour, and eggs. Mix until well combined.

Step 2: Form the potato mixture into patties

Use a scoop or measuring cup to portion out the potato mixture, then shape it into patties. The size of the patties can vary, but thinner patties will result in crispier potato pancakes. Place the formed patties on a lined baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket. If you have time, freezing the patties for 10-20 minutes before cooking will help them hold their shape better.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The exact temperature may depend on your air fryer model, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions if needed.

Step 4: Cook the potato pancakes

Generously spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with oil. Place the potato patties in a single layer in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd them. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the potato pancakes in batches. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes, then flip them over and spray or brush the other side with oil. Continue cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the potato pancakes are golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Serve the potato pancakes

Carefully remove the potato pancakes from the air fryer and serve hot. Potato pancakes can be served as a side dish or appetizer and are often topped with sour cream, applesauce, or cheese. They can also be garnished with green onions or parsley.

How to reheat the pancakes

To reheat potato pancakes in an air fryer, first allow them to cool completely. Then, place the leftover potato pancakes in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Reheat at 350°F for 4-5 minutes until crispy and heated all the way through.

You can also reheat frozen potato pancakes. First, let them defrost in the fridge. Then, place them in the air fryer and heat at 400°F for 5-7 minutes.

What to serve with the pancakes

Potato pancakes are a versatile dish that can be served at any time of the day. They can be a delicious side or a tasty snack and are perfect paired with a range of dishes.

If you are serving your potato pancakes as a side, a traditional way to serve them is with a dollop of sour cream. You could also serve them with Greek yoghurt, ricotta, smoked cream cheese, or even a mushroom sauce. For a sweet option, applesauce is a classic side dish to serve with potato pancakes.

If you are serving your potato pancakes as a snack or a light meal, you could serve them with smoked salmon, grilled steak, shrimp, or salmon. For a more substantial meal, serve them with roasted chicken, pork chops, or beef stew.

For a simple snack, potato pancakes can be served with a fried egg or fried salami. For a more indulgent option, serve with million-dollar bacon—a sticky-sweet, lightly spiced bacon.

For a vegetarian option, potato pancakes can be served with a range of toppings, including cottage cheese, cream cheese, green onions, or ranch dressing. For a more substantial vegetarian meal, serve with spinach-stuffed chicken breast.

How to make the pancakes golden brown

To make the pancakes golden brown, you can spritz some oil on them. If you have an oil sprayer, you can use your oil of choice. One recipe recommends avocado oil spray, to give that beautiful brown colour.

To get the pancakes golden brown, you will also want to make sure that you are cooking them for long enough. Depending on the recipe, this could be 8-10 minutes on each side. However, you should check on them regularly to make sure that they are not burning.

If you are using an air fryer, you will also want to make sure that you are cooking the pancakes in a single layer, so that they cook evenly.

Frequently asked questions