Mashed Potato Pancakes turn leftover mashed potatoes into crispy, golden patties loaded with cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions. They’re easy to make in the air fryer, with a crunchy outside and soft, cheesy center.
Whenever I have leftover mashed potatoes, this is one of my favorite ways to use them. They’re especially handy after a big holiday dinner when there’s always a little extra in the fridge.
Why I Love This Recipe
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Mashed Potatoes: Leftover mashed potatoes work perfectly for this recipe.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds cheesy flavor to every bite.
- Green Onion: Adds a mild onion flavor.
- Bacon: Cooked, crispy bacon adds a smoky crunch.
- Egg and Flour: Help hold the potato pancakes together.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Create a crispy, golden coating.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Air Fryer Mashed Potato Pancakes
Mix the Ingredients: Combine cold mashed potatoes, egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onion, and flour in a bowl.
Shape the Patties: Form the mixture into patties about ½ inch thick.
Coat with Panko: Press each patty into the panko breadcrumbs, coating both sides.
Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Place the patties in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes until golden and crispy.
Oven Method: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Use Cold Potatoes: Chilled mashed potatoes hold their shape better when forming patties.
- Keep Them Even: Make the patties about ½ inch thick so they cook evenly.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Leave space between the pancakes for a crispy coating.
- Flip Carefully: Use a spatula to gently turn the patties so they don’t fall apart.
Questions Readers Ask Most
More Air Fryer Recipes You Will Love:
Air Fryer Steak Fries, Air Fryer Churros,Air Fryer Green Bean Fries, Air Fryer Bagels. Or Even My Air Fryer Egg Rolls.
Mashed Potato Pancakes
Crispy Air Fryer Mashed Potato Pancakes made with leftover mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 2 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
- Combine cold mashed potatoes, egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, green onion, and flour in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Shape the mixture into patties about ½ inch thick.
- Place panko breadcrumbs on a plate and coat each patty on both sides.
- Arrange the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, flip carefully, and cook for another 5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- For the oven method, preheat to 400°F. Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Notes
Use cold mashed potatoes for the best results. If the mixture is too soft to shape, refrigerate it until firm. Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the patties and your air fryer.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 627Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 1361mgCarbohydrates: 71gFiber: 6gSugar: 6gProtein: 25g
I would have never thought of doing Potato Pancakes in Air Fryer! So excited to try this! We make these all the time. Favorite thing to do with left over potatoes, in fact we always make a bit more than we need, just for Potato Pancakes. Thank you again!
Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I’m wondering if the bacon is absolutely necessary. As in the fat is needed for air frying or something. I’d like to try this but my SO is vegetarian. Will they come out okay without? I say “okay” because I know the revised recipe will be a shadow of the original without the bacon. :o)
No it’s not necessary it’s optional
Can you freeze these and reheat them? I haven’t had luck freezing regular mashed potatoes, but wondering about these since you can buy so many kinds of frozen french fries/potato items.
So easy to freeze separately and bag them. I reheat them frozen 10 minutes at 350° in oven. Same time and temp in the air fryer. My grandkids love them and I always have a side dish!
These potato pancakes were amazing! Even my kids loved them! I am so happy to find another recipe for my air fryer. This one is going in my faves! Thank you for sharing!
Awesome potato cakes!! Made them for lunch with thanksgiving leftover potatoes. Very crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
I made a couple of tweaks. Preheated the fryer to add crunch, left in the freezer 15 minutes for added firmness and added two minutes to the second timed cooking. The second batch was better.
I’m getting ready to make some now from my left over potatoes hope they turn out
My granddaughter and I love this recipe! Simple but you can add spices different flavor cheeses and get a different pancake everytime! Thanks!
Made a few substitutions as I don’t eat pork and try to minimize both gluten and dairy. I also skipped the freezer step and used parchment paper instead of foil in my air fryer oven.
These turned out absolutely perfect!! Not only will I make again and again; am really looking forward to trying out more of the air fryer recipes on adventuresofanurse.com.
Thanks So Much!
You’re welcome glad you liked them
I omit the bacon and add cooked salmon. These are a favorite in our house.
Hi, I just made these without the ham, they were delicious 😋. I made to many, can I freeze them?
Carla thank you for this recipe. It seems very easy and I love using my air fryer.
I have a question please. Other than flavor changes, will these work well with half the cheese and half the Panko you described?
Thank you!
yes!
This recipe is simple to make and a delight to eat! My granddaughter and I found the recipe when we were stuck with leftover mashed potatoes and it was a lifesaver. Now I can make mashed potatoes for one and not waste the leftovers. I make and freeze a batch everytime! Then I can take out as many as I need! It’s a win win!
These are great! We love them!! Thanks!