Boxty Irish Potato Pancakes (Print View)

Classic Irish potato pancakes, boasting a crispy exterior and tender interior, great for breakfast or a savory accompaniment.

# What You'll Need:

→ Potatoes

01 - 2 cups raw potatoes, peeled and finely grated
02 - 1 cup mashed potatoes (leftover or freshly prepared)

→ Dry Ingredients

03 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Wet Ingredients

07 - 1/2 cup whole milk
08 - 1 large egg, lightly beaten

→ For Frying

09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

# Method:

01 - Place the finely grated raw potatoes into a clean kitchen towel and firmly wring out as much excess moisture as possible to ensure crispness.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the moisture-extracted grated potatoes, prepared mashed potatoes, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground black pepper.
03 - Gradually incorporate the whole milk and lightly beaten egg into the potato mixture, stirring until a thick, uniform batter is formed.
04 - Heat 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until the fats are shimmering.
05 - Working in manageable batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, drop heaping tablespoons of the batter into the heated skillet. Gently flatten each portion slightly with the back of a spoon to form round pancakes.
06 - Cook each boxty pancake for 3–4 minutes per side, or until a deep golden brown and crispy crust is achieved. Replenish butter and oil as necessary for subsequent batches to maintain consistent frying conditions.
07 - Transfer the freshly cooked boxty pancakes to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately while hot for optimal texture and flavor.

# Insider Tips:

01 -
  • It's a delightful dance of textures, beautifully crispy on the outside yet wonderfully tender inside, truly hitting all the right notes.
  • This dish is incredibly versatile, making it perfect for a cozy breakfast, a comforting side to your dinner, or even as a base for something more elaborate.
02 -
  • The single most important step for achieving that signature crispy exterior is thoroughly wringing out the grated raw potatoes — don't be shy!
  • Using cold, leftover mashed potatoes straight from the fridge works just as well, sometimes even better, than freshly made, adding convenience and flavor.
03 -
  • Do not overcrowd the skillet; cook Boxty in batches to ensure even browning and crispiness.
  • A combination of butter and oil not only gives superior flavor but also prevents the butter from burning at higher frying temperatures.