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!
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!
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!!
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
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Leftover Mashed Potato Cheese & Bacon Cakes
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!
Great combo.you are too good
YAY! So glad you approve! 🙂
I know what you mean. I love to travel and see the world, but in my heart of hearts I am a homebody, too. I’m sure Dozer missed you.
Fantastic fun was had this past weekend, thanks again for your generosity Nagi.
As for these “potato + bacon + cheese + crispiness = irresistibleness” YES please!
I still can’t get over how much FUN I had last weekend! I miss you already!!!
Awww, hope you’re safely home already, sweet Nagi! Your trip sounded amazing and I can’t wait to catch up on all your stories. That IS bizarre that you’ll get home almost 2 days after you left. I like us to get the early morning flight from Perth to the UK because we actually manage to arrive on the same day. Like you say, though, no such luck the other way around!
LOVE the look of these crispy beauties. I don’t think you could go wrong with crispy potatoes, bacon and cheese.
Sounds like a wonderful trip! I always enjoy travel, but getting home — to my own kitchen — is so nice. Love eating different foods and getting new ideas. But more fun turning those ideas into your own stuff. Anyway, scallions certainly count as greens in my book! I’ve made similar mashed potato pancakes in the past, but have never incorporated bacon into them for some reason. Great idea! And one I’ll be using. Thanks!
I’m with you John! Love to travel but I am such a homebody at heart!! <3
Is it bad that I want these cakes for breakfast? They look phenomenal and made my stomach growl at first sight. What a great way to use up leftovers!!
NO! These are perfect for breakfast! (Which is right now for me!!!) <3
hope you had a good trip! I know that flight. Well, we fly LA to Auckland, but same thing. just sleep! and while you’re at it, can you send me some of these before you leave? haha wishful thinking
Sure! 🙂 Popping them in the express post NOW! 😉
BTW I often use polenta as a crust of things of this nature. I’ve not seen panko breadcrumbs here in Souther Thailand anyway but even prior to my move I used polenta. It gives a nice crunch to the outside.
Oh gosh, that’s a great tip! I use polenta too 🙂 I’ll update the recipe!!
This is an unfortunate post. It matters not how much mash I make there just isn’t enough leftover for anything else.
Who am I kidding. Leftover mash? No such thing in my house too!! I make it especially 🙂
Nagi! You culinary genius. I want to lick my screen. Right now! I am going to double up on my Thanksgiving mashed potatoes just so I can make these. Muah!
Hardly a genius! I bet you have some wicked leftover mash recipes!! 🙂
Woah! Only you Nagi could make something so extraordinary out of leftover mashed potatoes! Hope your enjoying your time in the States – this American loving girl is jealous! Enjoy xx
Ba ha ha! I knew you would be jealous! 😉 N x
These look terrific, Nagi. I’m sharing the recipe with my friends and family. (As someone else commented, we may not have leftover mashed potatoes, though we tend to make extra.) I can picture you huddled over your MacBook at LAX making sure we have a yummy post perfect for post Thanksgiving meals. As others who were at the FBC gathering commented, we miss the camaraderie we experienced over the weekend. Hope you had a good trip home and got a terrific welcome from your dog.
Missing you already Marlene! Wasn’t it an incredible weekend? Counting down the days until I see you AGAIN!!! N x
We never usually have leftover mashed potato in our house but now that I have this recipe I can make sure I cook some extra! Hope you have a safe trip home Nagi!
Thanks Kaylene!! Actually, to tell you the truth, I make mash especially for this!!
Potatoes & bacon together in a glorious combination…LOVE IT!
I know, right? 🙂
Yummy!! But I’d have to cook the potatoes just for this – we never have leftover mashed potatoes! 😉
Have a safe trip back home.
ME TOO!!! It is very very rare for there to be any leftover mash in my house! <3
I thought you weren’t posting this week 😉 Could not resist could you 🙂 These look so great! Left over mashed potatoes just make the best little fritters don’t they 🙂 This is so perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers!
I couldn’t resist!! I actually really missed it!! <3
Have a safe trip back. Missing you and everyone already. If only we can have the conference everyday! That would be illogical but so FUN! Love potatoes. Love fried crispy stuff. YUM!!!
I miss everyone TOO!!!
Nagi these look amazing! And I love how simple and basic they are yet must taste ah-mazing!
My little sister is a huge potato fan (when she was a kid she was planning on opening a restaurant where every meal was made of potatoes), and when she was about 10 she created her own lunch by mixing mashed potatoes with ham, green peas and shredded cheese, stirring it on the stove until the cheese melted. It was so delicious the whole family wanted seconds from her creation 😀 I love that your cakes are crispy, I like when the patties are crunchy 🙂
That is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever heard. A potato restaurant. What a legend! It would totally be a hit!!
Nagi, all of LA is a dark hole, at least for me. I grew up and spent a large part of my adult life there, and since I left I’ve not missed it at all. In fact, every time I visit, it makes me glad I don’t live there any more. We were there in August to scatter my mother’s ashes, and that’s the last time I absolutely have to go there. Yay!!! That said, I hope you enjoyed your time there. And that you have a good flight home. Making these potato cakes is the smart thing to do with leftover mashed potatoes. They’d be much better this way.
You know, the thing with LA for me is that it is so BIG and the traffic is madness!!! But I do love LA, I love the weather, I love the people, I love the variety – actually, I just love America generally! I’ve enjoyed everywhere I have been! 🙂
Hi NagI! These look fantastic! You know me, if it has bacon in or on it I’m happy! I assume the bacon is cooked and drained. 🙂 Kevin e-mailed me what he calls the “Dorothy photo op”! I was so surprised and thrilled! 🙂 Thank you my friend!!
BA HA HA!!! I know – bacon is a clincher for you! <3 Isn't that photo so cool? Kevin is so thoughtful - he honestly rounded Marissa and me up just to take a photo for you!!! I loved that - as the photo was being taken, instead of "smile!", we said "Dorothy!" 🙂
We can’t wait to have you back down under 🙂 I am so excited to see all your pictures and hear about your adventures.
Oh I can’t wait to hear about all the food!!!!!!!!!
I love these, they look like little patties that my Mum used to make. She used to put left over brussel sprouts in hers.
p.s irresistibleness so a word!!!!! And if it isn’t then add it to the dictionary. That is what I did on my blog yesterday!!!!
Oh Claire, the food in Mexico is amazing. AMAZING! Mind blown. I can’t wait to share more about it!! Ooh, I bet your mum mad some incredible patties! Hiding greens in them is a good trick!!! N x