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 (starchy variety such as russets); 2 cups grated raw potatoes (starchy variety such as russets); 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 option: use oil); Chopped green onions/scallions; Shredded white cheddar cheese

There’s something utterly comforting about a warm, golden potato pancake sizzling on the pan. This Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe, known as Boxty, brings together the best of both grated raw and creamy mashed potatoes for a texture that’s crispy on the outside and tender inside. Trust me, once you try making these, you’ll want them any time of day!

A white plate holds three golden brown potato pancakes stacked slightly overlapping, showing a crispy, textured surface with some rough edges. On top of the pancakes is a small dollop of white sour cream sprinkled with finely chopped green onions. More green onion pieces are scattered over the pancakes and the white marbled surface beneath. A fork and a spoon are partly visible at the plate's edge, resting on a dark blue cloth. 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 plenty of potato pancakes in my time, but this traditional Irish boxty truly stands out. It’s one of those recipes that fills your kitchen with the most inviting aromas and creates a satisfying balance of crispiness and softness in every bite. What’s more, it’s versatile enough for breakfast, lunch, or a hearty side dish.

Authentic Texture: The mix of cold mashed and grated raw potatoes gives you a perfect crispy exterior with a melt-in-your-mouth interior every time.
Simple Ingredients: Only staples you probably already have on hand, which makes it easy to whip up whenever the craving hits.
Customizable Flavor: Add green onions or shredded cheddar cheese to make it your own – I love both!
Time-Saver: You can prepare the mashed potatoes ahead of time and chill them to speed up the process on cooking day.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before diving in, you’ll want to make sure you pick the right type of potatoes. Starchy varieties like russets are best here—they help the pancakes crisp up nicely while keeping the insides tender and fluffy. Also, the balance of dry and wet ingredients is key to getting the perfect batter consistency.

Flat lay of fresh whole russet potatoes with brown skin and earthy texture, a small mound of grated raw potato strands, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with smooth cold mashed potatoes, a small white bowl holding fine all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing pale buttermilk, a small white bowl with coarse salt crystals, a small white bowl with white baking soda powder, and a few fresh green scallions loosely arranged nearby, 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 chilled mashed potatoes, especially from starchy russets, adds creaminess and body to the pancakes.
Grated raw potatoes: Freshly grated and well-drained russets provide that vital crispiness.
All-purpose flour: Acts as the binder to hold everything together without overpowering the potato flavor.
Salt: Enhances the potatoes’ natural taste and balances the batter.
Baking soda: Helps lighten the pancake texture and aids in browning.
Buttermilk: Adds subtle tang and moisture while helping achieve a tender crumb.
Butter, bacon grease, or lard: The fat you fry in makes a huge difference in flavor and crispness; choose based on your preference or dietary needs.
Optional add-ins: Green onions/scallions and shredded white cheddar cheese add fresh and savory notes, making your boxty extra special.

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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

The beauty of this Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe is how adaptable it can be. Whether you want to add a little extra zing or keep it simple and traditional, there’s plenty of room to make this recipe truly your own.

Green Onion Goodness: I love mixing in chopped green onions for a fresh, slightly sharp bite that brightens up each pancake. It adds a lovely pop of color, too!
Cheesy Comfort: Shredded white cheddar folded right into the batter makes these pancakes irresistibly gooey and flavorful—perfect for a cozy brunch.
Vegan Twist: Simply swap the butter or bacon grease for your favorite cooking oil, and use a vegan buttermilk substitute to enjoy these crispy delights without any animal products.
Seasonal Spin: In fall, I sometimes throw in a bit of grated carrot or parsnip for subtle sweetness and extra texture, which pairs wonderfully with the earthy potatoes.

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

A white plate holds five golden brown, round pancakes stacked slightly overlapping. They have a crispy, textured surface with small shredded bits visible, each pancake topped with small pieces of green chopped spring onions scattered evenly. A dollop of white sour cream with a soft, creamy texture sits on top of the pancakes near the center. The plate rests on a blue cloth napkin, with two forks placed beside it. The background shows a white marbled surface with scattered bits of green onions and part of a dark wooden table edge visible in the upper left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Chill Your Mashed Potatoes

Start by boiling and mashing your potatoes—russets work beautifully here. Once mashed, pop them into the fridge for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight. This chilling is key because cold mashed potatoes blend better with raw grated potatoes, helping your pancakes hold their shape and develop that perfect crispy outside.

Step 2: Combine Your Dry Ingredients

In a small bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This simple mix keeps your pancakes light and flavorful while giving them just the right lift. Set it aside for now—you'll need it in the next step.

Step 3: Grate and Drain the Raw Potatoes

Grab fresh russet potatoes and grate them finely. Then, place the grated potatoes in a clean, cotton kitchen towel and wring out as much moisture as you can. This step reduces excess water, helping you achieve those crispy edges we all crave.

Step 4: Mix It All Together

In a large bowl, combine the cold mashed potatoes, drained grated potatoes, and your flour mixture. Pour in 1 ¹/₂ cups of buttermilk and stir to combine. If the batter seems thick or dry, add a touch more buttermilk until the consistency feels perfect—not too loose, but spreadable.

Step 5: Heat Your Pan and Fry

Heat your choice of butter, bacon grease, lard, or oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until just hot enough to sizzle a drop of batter. Spoon the potato mixture into the pan, gently pressing each portion down to form flat pancakes. Fry them until the bottoms are golden brown, then carefully flip to cook the other side. Keep an eye on the heat—too high and they'll burn before cooking through, too low and you'll miss out on that signature crisp.

Step 6: Keep ‘Em Warm

As your pancakes finish cooking, transfer them to a warm oven set on low heat. This little trick keeps them hot and delicious while you finish the batch, so everyone gets to enjoy crispy goodness right away.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Serve your Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes hot from the pan, topped with optional chopped green onions or a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese for that extra special touch. They’re perfect alongside eggs at breakfast or as a comforting side for lunch or dinner.

Top Tip

Getting your Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe just right can feel like an art—but a few insider tips go a long way toward the perfect golden, crispy texture with tender centers.

Drain the Raw Potatoes Thoroughly: Wrapping and squeezing the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture is key. This helps them fry up crisp, not soggy.
Control the Heat: Medium-high heat works best—too hot and the pancakes burn before cooking through; too low and they get greasy and limp. Patience here pays off!
Chill Your Mashed Potatoes Well: Using cold mashed potatoes ensures the batter holds together better and adds a creamy inside contrast to the crispy exterior.
Keep Warm in the Oven: Pop cooked pancakes onto a low heat oven while frying the rest to keep them piping hot and crispy before serving.

How to Serve Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe

A clear glass bowl sits on a white marbled surface containing a thick, creamy mixture with a pale yellow color and slightly lumpy texture. A silver spoon is positioned in the bowl, partially covered with the mixture and resting near the side. The mixture appears dense and uneven, showing visible small chunks throughout its smooth but textured consistency. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Keep it classic with a sprinkle of chopped green onions or scallions for a fresh, mildly sharp bite. For a bit of indulgence, shredded white cheddar cheese melted on top is phenomenal. A dollop of sour cream or a pat of good-quality butter also complements the warm, crispy boxty beautifully.

Side Dishes

These potato pancakes shine alongside classic Irish sides like sautéed cabbage or steamed greens. For breakfast, pair them with some crispy bacon or sausages. You can also serve them with smoked salmon and a squeeze of lemon for a brunch twist. Don’t forget a fresh green salad to lighten up the meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, place leftover potato pancakes in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps them fresh and ready to reheat without losing too much of their crispiness.

Freezing

To freeze, cool the pancakes completely then layer them with parchment paper between each one inside a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They keep well for up to 1 month. This is a great make-ahead strategy to enjoy boxty anytime!

Reheating

For perfectly reheated pancakes, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10–15 minutes until heated through and crisped again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make them soggy. A quick pan-fry over medium heat also works beautifully to restore that golden crust.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of potatoes for this recipe?

For the best texture and flavor, starchy potatoes like russets are ideal for both the mashed and grated parts of the recipe. Waxy potatoes may result in a less fluffy and less crispy pancake.

Is it necessary to let the starch settle when draining potatoes?

Letting the starch settle after wringing the potato water is a traditional step that helps improve crispiness. However, many cooks skip it without sacrificing too much texture. If skipping, reduce the buttermilk slightly to keep the batter from becoming too thin.

What can I use for frying if I'm vegan?

You can swap butter, bacon grease, or lard for a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil to keep this Crispy Irish Potato Pancakes Recipe entirely vegan-friendly without compromising crispness.

How do I avoid undercooked centers in the pancakes?

Cooking on medium-high heat and allowing each side to brown slowly helps the pancakes cook through evenly. Avoid very high heat which browns the outside too quickly while the inside stays raw.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about a batch of freshly fried, crispy Irish potato pancakes—warm, golden, and just begging to be savored. Whether you keep it simple or add your favorite mix-ins, this recipe promises a little bit of Irish tradition on your plate. I hope these tips and tricks help you create the perfect batch of boxty that becomes a family favorite, bringing smiles and maybe even a few happy dance moves around the kitchen!