These loaded Mashed Potato Cakes are your favorite twice baked potato in patty form, and the best use of leftover mashed potatoes! Great as a side or appetizer.

We like to top these with sour cream, bacon, and chives like you would a baked potato. They’re also amazing with some candied jalapenos!

Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes

Ya ya, I know the joke – “who ever has leftover mashed potatoes!” But you know what? I do! I always think I’m making the perfect amount for dinner, but end up with way more than necessary. When that happens, I make these mashed potato cakes the next day with the leftovers.

Including bacon, cheeses, seasonings, and topped with sour cream, these potato cakes are like your favorite loaded baked potato, but in a tender and creamy pan-fried patty.

It’s worth mentioning that mashed potato cakes are not the same thing as latkes (aka potato pancakes.) Both awesome potato recipes, for sure, but not the same thing.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make potato cakes from mashed potatoes.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Leftover mashed potatoes – They should be cold from the fridge, not warmed up.
• Vegetables – onion, celery, and garlic provide texture, aromatics, and flavor.
• Butter – Used to sauté the vegetables.
• Bacon – Because…bacon. Diced small.
• Cheddar cheese – Freshly shredded is optimal.
• Flour and Egg – Provide structure and help bind the potato patties.
• Seasonings – Yellow mustard, pepper, and hot sauce give the cakes great flavor.
• Vegetable oil – For the pan.

Tips for Success

• Use cold mashed potatoes. You want to use leftover mashed potatoes that are cold from the fridge, not warmed up. They should be thick and not too creamy.
• Don’t skip the flour. Flour is used as an important binder in the cakes. If your mixture ends up being too sticky, you can add a touch more flour, but be careful – if you use too much, your cakes will taste more like flour and less like potatoes.
• Get creative with the mix-ins. Don’t like bacon? Use ham. Don’t like cheddar cheese? How about Pepper jack. Want them to have more heat? Add more hot sauce. Have fun with it.

Video: Fried Mashed Potato Cakes

To make this potato cakes recipe, follow the steps below included in the printable recipe card and don’t miss the video below.

Serving Suggestions

For best results, serve fried mashed potato cakes right away while they’re hot and crispy. They’re great as a side dish or appetizer.

We love to top ours with a dollop of sour cream, some crumbled crispy bacon, and fresh chopped chives since that’s how we love a baked potato. These are also amazing with a bit of onion jam or cowboy candy.

Proper Storage

• Make ahead. You can form the patties up to 1 day ahead of time before frying. Refrigerate them in an airtight container and place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.
• Storing leftovers. Once fried, mashed potato cakes will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days tightly wrapped or stored in an airtight container.
• Freeze. Pan fry them, drain off any grease, and allow to cool completely. Store in freezer bags for up to 2 weeks. Or freeze them prior to frying and store up to 2 months. Defrost when ready to use, and reheat.
• Reheat. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven until they’re crisp again, about 15 minutes.

More Easy Potato Recipes:

• Funeral Potatoes
• Hash Browns
• Oven Roasted Potatoes
• Cheesy Potatoes
• Smashed Potatoes
• BEST Mashed Potatoes

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!