• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

Small book

My cookbook "Dinner" now available!

  • My RecipeTin
  • My cookbook!
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish
      • Salad Meals
    • Quick and Easy
    • Soups
    • One Pot
    • Stews
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Salads & veg
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice (all)
      • Fried rice recipes
      • Rice (plain)
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cakes
      • Cheesecakes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
      • Ice cream
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • Japanese
        • Korean
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • Cocktails
      • Easter
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
  • Collections
  • About
    • Me
    • RecipeTin Meals
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home Collections Party Food

Mashed Potato Cakes with Cheese & Bacon

By:Nagi
Published:17 Nov '15Updated:28 Dec '18
73 Comments
Recipe v

Mashed Potato Cakes with Cheese & Bacon: The name says it all. These babies have all the essential food groups in them. Cheese. Bacon. Potato. Greens. (You see those tiny bits of scallions/shallots, don’t you?). And they’re crispy!

A stack of Mashed Potato Cakes with Cheese & Bacon

I’m sitting in a dark corner of Los Angeles International airport (squatting by a powerpoint!), writing this post for a recipe I cooked and photographed before I left for month long trip to Mexico and Los Angeles. It’s Monday night LA time and I won’t arrive home until Wednesday morning Sydney time because of the time difference.

The flight actually isn’t that long – “only” 15 hours, far faster than the 24 hours it takes to get to London! But Sydney is 18 hours ahead of LA. Which is fantastic when I’m going TO America because I leave in the morning Sydney time, then I arrive in LA just after lunch on the same day. I never fail to get a kick out of that!

However, on the way back, it works the other way and I lose an entire day. It’s a strange feeling to leave LA on a Monday and arrive home on a Wednesday!

Leftover Mashed Potato Cheese & Bacon Cakes - Irresistible way to transform leftover mashed potato! Made extra crispy with panko. #thanksgiving #leftovers

Closeup of Mashed Potato Cakes with Cheese & Bacon

I’ve never been disappointed with a trip overseas and this one was no exception. I visited Mexico City and Oaxaca (for Day of the Dead celebrations – wow, what a festival!), followed by some downtime in Playa Del Carmen then a week in Los Angeles. I have so many stories and photos to share which I’ll be doing in the coming weeks when I’ve had a chance to sort through them all. You know me – I can’t share stories without photos!!!

Right now, I must admit that after almost 1 month away from home, I am very ready for a home cooked meal. These Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes are one of the last things I made before I left for my travels and just looking at these photos have me longing to be back in the kitchen in my own home. I know they aren’t fancy food, quite simple actually. I mean, they’re made with leftover mashed potatoes.

But honestly, I tell you – add bacon and cheese to the potato, coat the patties in panko or flour then pan fry until golden and crispy….and WOAH! That’s how you turn the ordinary into extraordinary. I mean, look how crispy these are!!

Closeup of Mashed Potato Cakes with Cheese & Bacon

Not that there’s anything magic about this recipe. Because you know just as well as me that any combination of potato + bacon + cheese + crispiness = irresistibleness. (Is that a real word? Spell check seems to think it is.)

As much as I enjoy travelling and eating out, the core of me is a total homebody who just loves good home cooked food. And I can’t wait to get home and back into my kitchen! I’m just 15 hours away – yay!! 🙂

– Nagi x

Closeup of Mashed Potato Cakes with Cheese & Bacon

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

A stack of Mashed Potato Cakes with Cheese & Bacon

Leftover Mashed Potato Cheese & Bacon Cakes

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 6 mins
Total: 21 mins
Appetiser, Breakfast, Side Dish
5 from 10 votes
Servings12
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 255
This might be called "Leftover Mashed Potato" cakes but most of the time, I will make mashed potatoes especially to make these! Great for breakfast, lunch OR dinner! I made these with bacon but they're also lovely with canned tuna (drained of oil) or even diced cooked chicken or any other protein.

Ingredients

Potato Cakes

  • 2 - 2 1/2 cups mashed potato , cold
  • 1 large egg or 2 small eggs
  • 1/3 cup plain flour
  • 1 cup grated melting cheese
  • 8 oz / 250g bacon , diced
  • 1/2 cup scallions/shallots , thinly sliced
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Cooking

  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs OR 3/4 cup plain flour
  • 4 to 6 tbsp oil (any cooking oil)
  • Pepper

Instructions

  • Mix together the Potato Cake ingredients in a bowl until just combined.
  • Spread the panko or flour out on a large plate or baking tray (to fit 6 patties).
  • Measure out 1/4 cup level amount of potato mixture OR a slightly heaped ice cream scooper (this is what I use because using the lever, it pops out easily) and drop onto panko/flour. Repeat to fill plate / baking tray (don't crowd, difficult to handle).
  • Use an egg flip (or base of cup) to pat it down to 1.5cm/2/3" thick patties, then flip and pat to coat the other side with panko/flour. Set aside and repeat with remaining potato mixture.
  • Heat 1/2 the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook 6 patties at a time until golden brown on each side - around 2 minutes, then flip and cook the other side.
  • Remove onto a paper towel lined baking tray. Cook remaining patties.
  • Serve hot!
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

 

Previous Post
Pot Roasted Coconut Chicken
Next Post
White Chicken Enchilada Soup (or Turkey!)

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




73 Comments

  1. Phillip says

    May 15, 2022 at 1:30 pm

    OMG these are seriously good. Impossible to stop at one. So glad I cooked extra mash for the Focaccia recipe and then stumbled onto this. Instant family favourite.

    Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    February 9, 2022 at 4:07 am

    5 stars
    These are beyond delicious. I fixed them with leftover mashed potatoes and served them with steak. Had one leftover and ate it with an egg for breakfast. Really, really good!

    Reply
  3. Sherry says

    August 14, 2021 at 11:32 pm

    Hi Nagi, I have tried a different recipe this last week!! I live with only men so I like to feed them with good food and so far they have liked every recipe that you have!!!! Thank you!! I am enjoying new recipes of yours……this is fun!!!!!!! Thank you, Sherry

    Reply
  4. Helena Lister says

    April 5, 2021 at 9:40 am

    What’s “leftover mashed potato”…? 😳

    Trying these today!

    Reply
  5. Chris says

    May 31, 2020 at 11:46 am

    5 stars
    Wow, wow, wow! How often is something you made with left overs 10 times better than the “original”. My husband loves mashed potatoes, these potato pancakes were even better! Thanks Nagi

    Reply
  6. Brooke says

    May 22, 2020 at 8:27 am

    Can a brown onion be used?

    Reply
  7. Adrian says

    March 29, 2020 at 9:41 am

    5 stars
    Kids absolutely loved them. So did I – made 16 of them and all gone between 4 in one sitting😂

    Reply
  8. Marcia says

    February 17, 2020 at 3:21 am

    Can these be prepared ahead of time before baking or frying? Are there suggestions if one would want to freeze the cooked/fried pancakes to serve at a later date?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 17, 2020 at 12:43 pm

      Hi Marcia, I would freeze before cooking – simply make the patties and store in the freezer in-between sheets of baking paper to prevent them sticking to each other. N x

      Reply
    • Stephanie says

      February 9, 2022 at 4:08 am

      I made them earlier in the day and then refrigerated until ready to fry. I think that works better because the cold helps them set up and aren’t quite so fragile.

      Reply
  9. Dean Wylie says

    June 19, 2019 at 8:35 pm

    Being a male, I totally ignored about half the recipe and instructions, needless to say…they were great, my greyhound loved them, as did I.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      June 20, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      😂 I’m so glad you loved them Dean

      Reply
  10. Glenn says

    March 10, 2019 at 6:01 pm

    5 stars
    What is “left over mashed potato”? I can’t find them anywhere!
    I’ve been happy to make some fresh mashed potato just for this recipe though. Thanks you.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 11, 2019 at 6:32 pm

      Haha! You mean you’ve never seen “Leftover Mash” sold in your local supermarket’s freezer section?!? 😂Glad you enjoyed the recipe Glenn Nxx

      Reply
  11. laura says

    October 8, 2018 at 6:00 pm

    Hi Nagi – I assume the bacon is pre-fried? Thank you!

    Reply
  12. Sabrina says

    November 26, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    Nice on, Nagi! Basically the best use of leftover mash I’ve heard of.

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 27, 2015 at 7:41 am

      High praise! 😉

      Reply
  13. Martina says

    November 26, 2015 at 1:46 am

    YUM…

    I’m wondering, though… can these be baked instead?

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 26, 2015 at 7:24 am

      Hi Martina! yes you sure can, they won’t be quite as crispy but it will work. Heat 2 tbsp of oil on a baking tray 200C/390F, when hot add the patties. Spray top generously with oil. Bake around 10 minutes each side until golden. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Lisa @ The Cooking Bride says

    November 23, 2015 at 12:32 pm

    Ohhhhh yum! These look like one of my other favorite indulgences – crab cakes. I love mashed potatoes and always make too much. This is a great idea to use up all the leftover mashed potatoes I am probably going to have sitting in my fridge after Thursday.

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 24, 2015 at 7:51 am

      Crab cakes…..yummmmm……

      Reply
  15. Ruby @ Ruby & Cake says

    November 20, 2015 at 11:24 am

    I am currently sitting at my desk very hungover and these look like just the thing to make me a functional human being again. How gorgeous! I hope your flight is painless – the time difference coming back always weirds me out too losing that extra day. Your trip sounds so enviable and fun. Gorgeous post as always Nagi xx

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 21, 2015 at 6:06 am

      BA HA HA! I had to laugh – this is perfect for a hangover!!! Hope you didn’t suffer too much 🙂 Hangover pills! Seriously, best investment EVER!

      Reply
  16. Tara | Deliciously Declassified says

    November 20, 2015 at 6:44 am

    Yum! Such a good idea for Thanksgiving leftovers! Looks like you all had a blast at the FBC Conference. Would have loved to have attended! East Coast next time?? ?

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 21, 2015 at 6:05 am

      It would be SO fabulous to meet you Tara!!! We’re scouting out potential venues for FBC 2016 already!!! 🙂

      Reply
  17. Cathy says

    November 20, 2015 at 5:18 am

    I love doing left over mashed potatoes like this. I had to laugh when I saw these as I sent a little video as I was making these to my friend so she could try them.
    When I was growing up my Mother always made these but she would put left over salt cod fish in them. When I make them I add the egg,salt, pepper and onion and form the patty and dredge in all purpose flour and fry until golden brown. I am 65 so these have been around for awhile lol
    Great idea to put bacon in them, as we all know bacon makes everything taste good. Yum!!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 21, 2015 at 6:04 am

      Ooh! Your mother has great taste 🙂 The saltiness of the salt cod fish is perfect with mash!

      Reply
  18. Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says

    November 19, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    Nagi! It was so so wonderful to get to meet you in person! You are just such a joy to be around and I learned SO much from you! <3 I hope you had a comfortable, safe flight back home and are enjoying some home-cooked food, like these amazing potato cakes! I am just drooling over that CRISPY perfect crust…mmm!!!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 21, 2015 at 6:01 am

      It was so wonderful to meet you too Beeta! I used your spray last night on chicken 🙂 Brilliant!

      Reply
  19. Easypeasylifematters says

    November 19, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    These sound amazing!!! I can’t wait to make them! 🙂

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 21, 2015 at 6:00 am

      They are pretty darn yum, I have to say! N x

      Reply
  20. Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says

    November 19, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    5 stars
    Omg, it so great to FINALLY meet you when you were in LA! You are every bit as outgoing and sweet as you are on your blog! It was like meeting an old friend for the fist time – I felt like Avis meeting Julia Child for the first time in Julie and Julia 😉
    So anyway, about this dish! I’m always a fan of inventive way to use leftovers and this certainly does it for me! And Iove that it covers all the major food groups 😉
    Give kisses to Dozer for me!

    Reply
    • Nagi | RecipeTin says

      November 21, 2015 at 5:59 am

      I think we need to organise a holiday somewhere. It was NOT enough time!!! How about we meet halfway? 😉

      Reply
      • Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says

        November 21, 2015 at 3:19 pm

        Hawaii? Or Japan? 😉

        Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer
As Featured On

What's for Dinner?

Close up of beef enchiladas in a baking dish, fresh out of the oven

Beef Enchiladas

Butter Chicken served over basmati rice in a bowl, ready to be served

Butter Chicken

Overhead photo of 2 black bowls with Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing, ready to be eaten

Chinese Chicken Salad

Salisbury Steak recipe in skillet.

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken - 7 ingredient magic. The coconut fragrance is heavenly! recipetineats.com

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken

Fast prep. Big flavours!

Never miss a recipe

Back to Top
  • Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
  • Food Bloggers Center
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • Image Use
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits Maintained by Zao Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled © RecipeTin Eats 2023 · All Rights Reserved Back to Top