Cheesy Potato Cakes

5 from 6 votes
12 Comments

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These easy to make cheesy potato cakes are incredibly good, and the perfect thing to make as an appetizer or side dish. Plus, you are going to LOVE the sauce that goes over the top.

Two Cheesy Potato Cakes on a plate with a platter filled with potato cakes on the side
Featured with this Recipe
  1. Ingredients in Cheesy Potato Cakes
  2. Easy as Pie, or Cake!
  3. Frequently Asked Questions
  4. More Dipping Sauces
  5. How to Make Cheesy Potato Cakes
  6. Cheesy Potato Cakes Recipe

These Cheesy Potato Cakes are to die for!!! It is especially ideal if you are looking for something to do with leftover mashed potatoes. For example, the day after Thanksgiving dinner or a Sunday dinner. No one would ever guess you made it with leftovers. A potato cake is similar to a crab cake – mashed potatoes mixed with some seasonings that is formed into a patty, then breaded and fried in oil until it is golden brown. The cake is crispy on the outside, and the inside is creamy and cheesy. It’s a delicious way to serve a side dish of potatoes in a non-traditional way.

Six Cheesy Potato Cakes on a platter with sauce and green onions on the side


Ingredients in Cheesy Potato Cakes

  • Red Potatoes
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Green Onion
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Garlic Powder
  • Seasoned Bread crumbs
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Egg
  • Milk
  • Vegetable Oil

Dipping Sauce

  • Sour Cream
  • Rotel
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • White Vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Tabasco Sauce

Easy as Pie, or Cake!

Potato cakes may seem difficult, but they are NOT difficult at all. If you take away the refrigeration time, you can probably make them in about 30 minutes. Start by boiling potatoes until they are almost totally done but still slightly firm. At this point, you’ll need to refrigerate them for at least an hour until they are chilled. This step could be done a day or two in advance as well. Coarsely mash the potatoes, add the extra ingredients (see the recipe card below), then chill once more before frying. See? Simple!

A close-up bite of a Cheesy Potato Cake

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep potato cakes from falling apart?

If the potato cakes are falling apart, then the mixture needs more flour. Add another tablespoon of flour to help them stay together! The consistency should be sticky but not super wet.

Can you prep potato cakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare steps 1-7 and then leave them in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover mashed potato cakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer for the best texture, or in the microwave.

Read Next: 60+ BEST Potato Recipes Straight from Idaho

More Dipping Sauces

Part of the fun of this recipe is all the yummy dips you can pair with it! This recipe includes a fantastic spicy dipping sauce, but here are some more to try:

How to Make Cheesy Potato Cakes

Close up image of cheesy potato cakes drizzled with sauce and sprinkled with green onions

Cheesy Potato Cakes

5 from 6 votes
These Cheesy Potato Cakes are to die for. The Creamy Dipping Sauce is a must. You definitely need to make it with the cakes!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Refrigeration 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12 potato cakes

Equipment

  • Skillet

Ingredients

Potato Cakes:

Creamy Dipping Sauce (optional):

Instructions

For the Creamy Dipping Sauce (optional):

  • Combine all dipping sauce ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Potato Cakes

  • Wash potatoes thoroughly. Leaving skins on, quarter each potato. Boil potatoes until fork-tender. Do not overcook. Drain.
  • Use a potato masher to coarsely mash the potatoes. Stir in cheeses, onions, garlic, salt and pepper.
  • If using leftover mashed potatoes, stir cheeses, onions, garlic, salt and pepper into mashed potatoes for the potato cake filling.
  • Combine breadcrumbs and flour in a pie tin or round cake pan. In a separate bowl, combine eggs and milk.
  • Divide the potato mixture into 12 equal portions. Start by evenly dividing it in half, then half again, etc until you have 12 portions. Shape each portion into a patty (like a hamburger patty).
  • Dredge each patty into the breadcrumb mixture, then dip into the milk and egg, then coat again with breadcrumbs.
  • Place the breaded patties on a cookie sheet. Cover and chill for one hour.
  • Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a large skillet. Pan fry the cakes on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until browned. Drain on paper towels.
  • Serve with Creamy Dipping Sauce, ranch dressing, sour cream, or 1 cup sour cream mixed with ½ cup salsa. Garnish with chopped green onion or chives.

Notes

  • Nutritional value listed is for potato cakes only (not sauce).
  • You can make these ahead of time – follow steps 1-7 and then refrigerate for several hours or overnight. 
  • Add bacon for even more flavor! 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 9gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 288mgPotassium: 570mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 273IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 184mgIron: 2mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This was so delicious! I’m not even embarrassed to say my kids were licking every bit of the sauce off the plate.

  2. I haven’t tried to do them in the oven yet.. I am sure it would be good! If you try it, let me know how they turn out!