These Potato Cakes are simple, tasty and versatile. This recipe uses grated raw potatoes, so there's no need to boil the potatoes before you make the actual Potato Cakes. Too easy!
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Potato Cakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Potato Cakes, sometimes called Onion Cakes or Potato Pancakes, can be enjoyed at breakfast, lunch or dinner! They make a bacon and eggs breakfast a little more hearty, and can equally be enjoyed for a quick lunch or easy dinner.
Serve them with sour cream if you want to get a little fancy!
Ingredient notes
To make these Potato Cakes you'll need potatoes, onion, eggs, plain flour, vegetable oil, parsley (fresh or dried) and salt and pepper.
What are the best potatoes for potato cakes?
Ideally, use potatoes that are starchy or floury rather than waxy. The moisture content in waxy potatoes is high, and not ideal for frying. Avoid Kipfler, Dutch Cream and red potatoes. Instead, look for Russet, Desiree, Sebago, Golden Delight, Yukon Gold, King Edward and purple potatoes.
(And, if you love potatoes, check out the Potato Bake and Potato Salad recipes.)
The precise measurements and method can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
A simple but special recipe
I have lovely memories of my Nan Mac, Nana Ling's daughter, making these Potato Cakes. It's such a simple recipe, made with basic ingredients. But they were always made with warmness, consistency and that magic ingredient only Nanas bring to a recipe.
I found the recipe in a local community cookbook and it prompted me to make up a batch for my family. Miss Z and hubby loved them, and it was so lovely to see them enjoying these potato treats that I so fondly remember from my childhood.
How to make Potato Cakes
Grate potatoes (see image 1) and then squeeze to drain away excess moisture before placing into a mixing bowl.
TIP: Squeeze with hands and let excess moisture drain away or place the grated potato into a clean tea towel and squeeze, letting the tea towel absorb the extra moisture.
Grate onions and add to grated potato. Whisk the eggs and add to the grated ingredients. Stir to combine. Add parsley, a little salt and pepper to season, and flour. Stir again to combine (see image 2).
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and add spoonfuls of mixture into the hot oil.
Flatten each spoonful to make a larger round cake and then fry until golden. Turn and cook until golden on the reverse side, using a spatula to flatten once again.
Serving and storage
Serve warm with sour cream or your favourite condiment.
How long can I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a day or two. Re-heat in a frying pan over low heat with a little oil.
You can also freeze potato cakes for up to three months.
Want more simple snack recipes?
Of course you do! Check out these gems:
Made this recipe and love it? Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. (And it really makes my day to hear how Nana Ling's recipes are being made, shared and loved all around the world! - Libby x)
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Potato Cakes
Ingredients
- 2 med-large potatoes
- 1 small onion (or half a large onion)
- 2 medium eggs
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried parsley)
- salt and pepper for seasoning
Instructions
- Grate potatoes and squeeze to drain away excess moisture before placing into a mixing bowl. (Squeeze with hands and let excess moisture drain away or place the grated potato into a clean tea towel and squeeze, letting the tea towel absorb the extra moisture).
- Grate onions and add to potatoes.
- Whisk eggs and add to the grated ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Add parsley, a little salt and pepper to season, and flour. Stir to combine.
- Heat oil in a large frying pan and add spoonfuls of mixture into the hot oil.
- Flatten each spoonful to make a larger round cake.
- Fry until golden and then turn and cook until golden on the reverse side, using a spatula to flatten once again.
- Serve warm with sour cream or your favourite condiment.
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