🥔 Old-Fashioned Potato Patties
Crispy and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, these Old-Fashioned Potato Patties are the perfect way to transform leftover mashed potatoes into something delicious. With simple ingredients like mashed potatoes, egg, flour, and onion, these humble little patties are a comforting classic.
Pan-fried in bacon grease or oil until beautifully golden, they’re perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as a tasty side dish.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6–8 patties
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Pan-Fried
🛒 Ingredients
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Extra all-purpose flour or cornmeal, for coating
- Bacon grease or neutral cooking oil, for frying
Optional Add-Ins
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of paprika
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Potato Mixture
Place the cold mashed potatoes in a large mixing bowl.
Add the egg, ⅓ cup flour, and chopped onion.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Mix everything together until well combined.
The mixture should be soft enough to shape but firm enough to hold together.
2. Adjust the Consistency
If the potato mixture feels too wet or sticky, add a little more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Be careful not to add too much flour, as the patties can become dense or doughy.
Cold mashed potatoes work best because they are firmer and easier to shape.
3. Shape the Patties
Lightly flour your hands.
Scoop approximately ¼ cup of the potato mixture and shape it into a round patty.
Make each patty about ½ inch thick.
Place the shaped patties on a plate or parchment-lined tray.
You should have approximately 6–8 patties, depending on their size.
4. Coat the Patties
Place a small amount of flour or cornmeal on a shallow plate.
Gently coat both sides of each potato patty.
Shake off any excess.
For Extra Crunch
Use cornmeal instead of flour for a slightly crispier, more textured exterior.
🔥 Fry the Potato Patties
5. Heat the Pan
Place a large skillet over medium heat.
Add enough bacon grease or oil to lightly coat the bottom of the pan.
Allow the fat to become hot before adding the patties.
A cast-iron skillet works especially well for creating a beautifully golden crust.
6. Fry Until Golden
Carefully place the potato patties into the hot skillet.
Do not overcrowd the pan.
Cook for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
Try not to move the patties too soon. Allowing them to cook undisturbed helps develop a crisp crust.
7. Drain and Serve
Transfer the cooked patties to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack.
Allow them to rest for a minute or two.
Serve warm and crispy.
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Use Cold Mashed Potatoes
Cold, leftover mashed potatoes are firmer than freshly made potatoes and make shaping much easier.
Keep the Patties Simple
Don’t overload the mixture with too many add-ins. The classic flavor comes from the potatoes, onion, and crispy fried exterior.
Finely Chop the Onion
Small pieces cook quickly and blend nicely into the potato mixture.
Don’t Flip Too Early
Wait until the bottom develops a golden crust before turning the patties.
Use Medium Heat
High heat can burn the outside before the patties are warmed through. Medium heat allows the crust to become golden and crisp.
Bacon Grease Adds Flavor
For a truly old-fashioned flavor, bacon grease gives these potato patties an extra layer of savory richness.
🧀 Easy Variations
Cheesy Potato Patties
Mix ¼–½ cup shredded cheddar cheese into the potato mixture.
The cheese melts inside while the outside becomes crispy.
🧄 Garlic Herb Potato Patties
Add:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
🥓 Loaded Potato Patties
Add:
- Crumbled cooked bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped green onions
Serve with sour cream.
🌶️ Spicy Potato Patties
Add a pinch of:
- Cayenne pepper
- Chili powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Serve with spicy mayonnaise or hot sauce.
🌽 Cornmeal-Crusted Potato Patties
Coat the patties generously in cornmeal before frying.
This creates an especially crunchy, rustic exterior.
🍳 Serving Suggestions
Old-Fashioned Potato Patties are delicious with:
- Fried eggs
- Bacon or sausage
- Sour cream
- Applesauce
- Ketchup
- Hot sauce
- Gravy
- Roasted chicken
- Meatloaf
They’re especially wonderful as part of a hearty country-style breakfast.
🧊 Storage
Allow leftover potato patties to cool completely.
Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Place parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together.
🔥 How to Reheat
For the best crispy texture, reheat the patties in a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of oil.
You can also reheat them in:
Air Fryer
Heat at 375°F (190°C) for 4–6 minutes.
Oven
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 8–10 minutes, flipping once.
Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the patties soft.
❄️ Freezing
Arrange the cooked and cooled potato patties on a baking sheet.
Freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat directly from frozen in the oven, air fryer, or skillet until hot and crispy.
🥔✨ Final Result
These Old-Fashioned Potato Patties are simple, inexpensive, and packed with comforting homemade flavor.
Each bite has a crispy golden crust with a soft, fluffy, savory potato center, making them the perfect way to give leftover mashed potatoes a delicious second life.
A humble old-fashioned classic that never goes out of style! 🥔🍳✨