Name: Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe
Prep time: 3 h 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 30 min
Cuisine: Irish
Ingredients: 2 cups cold mashed potatoes (made from starchy russet potatoes); 2 cups grated raw potatoes (starchy russet variety); 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 1/2 to 2 cups buttermilk, plus more as needed; Butter, bacon grease, or lard (for frying; vegan alternatives: oil such as vegetable or canola); Chopped green onions/scallions; Shredded white cheddar cheese

If you’re craving a delicious, crispy treat that tastes like a warm hug from Ireland, you’re going to love this Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe. These golden delights combine creamy mashed potatoes with grated raw spuds, all brought together with just a handful of simple ingredients.

The image shows three golden brown potato pancakes stacked slightly on a white plate placed on a white marbled surface. The pancakes have a crispy, textured surface with uneven edges and light and dark brown spots. On the top pancake, there is a dollop of white sour cream with small pieces of green chopped scallion sprinkled over the pancakes and around the plate. The overall appearance is warm and inviting, with a rustic homemade look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made Irish potato pancakes many times, but this classic Boxty version has a special place in my heart—and on my dinner table. The balance of textures and that amazing crispiness is just unbeatable.

Perfect Texture: Combining cold mashed potatoes with grated raw potatoes gives a fluffy yet crispy bite every time.
Simple Ingredients: You probably already have everything in your kitchen, making it an easy go-to side dish.
Customizable: Add green onions or sharp cheddar for a flavorful twist that suits your tastes perfectly.
Irish Tradition: Experience authentic Irish comfort food that brings a bit of Celtic charm to your table.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe relies on simple, straightforward ingredients, but picking the right kind of potatoes and dairy makes all the difference in achieving that authentic taste and crispy texture.

Flat lay of a small mound of cold mashed russet potatoes, a neat pile of grated raw russet potatoes, a small white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing light beige baking soda powder, a small white bowl with coarse salt crystals, a small white bowl holding creamy buttermilk, and a few fresh green scallions with white bulbs arranged neatly beside a small chunk of white cheddar cheese, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cold Mashed Potatoes: Using well-chilled mashed russet potatoes ensures your pancakes hold together without getting soggy.
Grated Raw Potatoes: Freshly grated russets add a lovely texture and moisture that bakes into crispiness during frying.
All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind the potatoes and absorb moisture for perfect consistency.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and seasons the batter just right.
Baking Soda: Reacts with the buttermilk to create a light, airy texture inside each pancake.
Buttermilk: Adds tang and tenderness, making the pancakes moist without weighing them down.
Butter, Bacon Grease, or Lard: For frying—these fats help create that beautiful golden brown crust. For vegan options, vegetable or canola oil works well.
Optional Add-ins: Green onions or shredded white cheddar are excellent flavor boosters if you want to mix things up.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe is how easily it can be tailored to suit your taste buds or dietary needs. Whether you want to sneak in some extra flavor or keep things simple and classic, there’s room to put your own spin on these golden cakes.

Cheesy Upgrade: I love adding a handful of shredded white cheddar cheese to the batter just before frying. It melts beautifully inside, giving each bite a gooey, savory surprise that pairs perfectly with the crispy outside.
Onion Boost: Stirring in chopped green onions or scallions adds a fresh, mild bite to the pancakes. It’s a great way to brighten up the earthy flavor of the potatoes and makes these pancakes feel even more like a special treat.
Vegan Version: For a plant-based twist, swap out the buttermilk for a vegan buttermilk alternative (like almond milk with a splash of vinegar) and use vegetable or canola oil for frying. The pancakes still come out wonderfully crispy and flavorful.
Seasonal Spin: Trying these pancakes with added seasonal herbs like chopped chives or parsley can add freshness and color, making your breakfast or side dish even more inviting.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe

A white plate holds a stack of five golden brown potato pancakes with crispy edges, showing a rough texture from grated potatoes. The pancakes are topped with a small dollop of white sour cream in the center and sprinkled with bright green chopped scallions. The plate sits on a dark blue cloth napkin folded neatly on top of a wooden surface, with a fork lying next to the plate. Scallion pieces are scattered around the plate on the wooden surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Chill Those Mashed Potatoes

Start by boiling your starchy russet potatoes, then mash them thoroughly until smooth. This step is key to the texture of your pancakes. Once mashed, pop them into the fridge and chill for at least 3 hours — or even overnight if you can plan ahead. Cold mashed potatoes give your batter the structure it needs and help the pancakes hold together beautifully when frying.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 ½ teaspoons salt. Setting this mixture aside at this point makes combining the batter later a breeze and ensures even seasoning throughout.

Step 3: Grate and Drain the Raw Potatoes

Using a coarse grater, grate 2 cups of raw russet potatoes. Then, take a clean cotton kitchen towel and wring out as much liquid as you can from the grated potatoes. Getting rid of excess moisture is crucial to keeping the pancakes crispy rather than soggy. If you want to go traditional, save that liquid and let the starch settle before adding it back in — it can really boost the pancake’s texture.

Step 4: Combine It All

In a large bowl, toss together your chilled mashed potatoes, grated and drained raw potatoes, and the dry flour mixture. Pour in 1 ½ cups of buttermilk and stir everything together until well mixed. The batter should be thick but scoopable — if it feels too dry, drizzle in a bit more buttermilk until it reaches the right consistency for frying.

Step 5: Heat Your Frying Fat

Warm a heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add butter, bacon grease, lard, or your choice of oil (for a vegan option). Let the fat heat up thoroughly—when it’s shimmering but not smoking, you’re ready to go. This ensures a beautifully crispy exterior on your potato pancakes.

Step 6: Fry to Golden Perfection

Scoop spoonfuls of the batter into the skillet, gently shaping them into flattened patties about ½ inch thick. Cook until the bottoms are a gorgeous golden brown—usually a few minutes—then carefully flip them over to cook the other side. Keep an eye on your heat so the pancakes cook through evenly without burning the outside. Adjust it as necessary for that perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness inside.

Step 7: Keep Warm and Serve

As each batch finishes cooking, transfer the pancakes to a warm oven to keep them crispy and hot while you finish frying the rest. Serve them immediately while warm for the best texture and flavor—trust me, fresh and hot is unbeatable!

Top Tip

Getting your Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe just right is all about the details. These tips come from my own kitchen adventures and really make a difference in texture and flavor.

Wring Out the Potatoes: I’ve found that squeezing out as much liquid as possible from the grated raw potatoes prevents soggy pancakes and leads to that perfect crispiness everyone loves.
Control the Heat: Cooking over medium-high heat but adjusting if the pancakes are browning too fast is key. This helps cook the interior fully without burning the outside.
Use Starchy Potatoes: Russets are your best friend here! Their starchiness gives the pancakes a fluffy interior and crispy exterior that’s irresistible.
Keep Pancakes Warm: Transfer cooked ones to a warm oven as you fry the rest, so everything arrives at the table hot and ready to enjoy.

How to Serve Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe

A clear glass bowl is filled with a lumpy, pale yellow mixture that looks creamy and thick, with small bits visible throughout. A silver fork rests inside the bowl, partially covered by the mixture, and the bowl sits on a white marbled textured surface. The scene is simple and clean, highlighting the texture of the mixture in the bowl, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Simple garnishes take your Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes to the next level. Try a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche, a sprinkle of chopped green onions or fresh chives for a bright contrast, or a little shredded white cheddar cheese melted on top for richness. A squeeze of lemon juice also adds a lovely zestiness that complements the potatoes beautifully.

Side Dishes

These pancakes are wonderfully versatile. Serve them alongside a traditional Irish stew for a comforting meal or pair with smoked salmon and a fresh green salad for something lighter. Braised cabbage, sautéed mushrooms, or baked beans can make excellent hearty companions too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover pancakes in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days — perfect for quick breakfasts or snacks throughout the week.

Freezing

To freeze, let the pancakes cool completely, then layer them with parchment paper between each pancake in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. This is a great way to have authentic Irish comfort food on hand anytime.

Reheating

Reheat leftover or frozen pancakes in a skillet over medium heat with a little butter or oil to get them crisp again. You can also warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crispy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these potato pancakes vegan?

Yes! Substitute the buttermilk with a plant-based buttermilk alternative and use vegetable or canola oil instead of butter, bacon grease, or lard when frying. The pancakes will still be deliciously crispy and flavorful.

Why do we use both mashed and grated potatoes?

Combining cold mashed potatoes with grated raw potatoes balances creaminess and texture. The mashed potatoes provide moisture and softness, while the grated potatoes add crispiness after frying, producing the signature texture of authentic boxty.

What’s the purpose of wringing out the grated potatoes?

Removing excess moisture prevents soggy pancakes and helps the batter hold together better. In traditional recipes, the potato starch that settles from the liquid can even be added back into the batter to improve binding and crispness.

How do I know if my pancakes are cooked through?

Cook the pancakes until each side is golden brown and firm to the touch. Adjust the heat to medium-high but avoid letting them brown too quickly; they should take about 3-4 minutes per side. If they brown too fast, the inside might remain undercooked.

Final Thoughts

Making this Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe is like inviting a little piece of Ireland right into your kitchen. The blend of textures and simple ingredients come together to create a dish that’s both nostalgic and comforting. Whether you’re honoring St. Patrick’s Day traditions or just craving a cozy side, these boxty pancakes are a delightful way to celebrate potatoes in their finest form. So grab your skillet, warm your kitchen with butter and potato aroma, and enjoy every crispy, golden bite!