Boxty Traditional Irish Potato Pancake

Boxty are an Irish potato pancake made with a combination of mashed and grated spuds in a light batter, and they are fried in brown butter.

If you are using leftover mashed potatoes, then preparation will take around 10 minutes, and cooking takes a further 10 minutes.

Irish Potato Pancakes

This Boxty recipe has been with me as long as any other recipe that I cook. It predates all the fancy pants stuff that I do and even the curries.

I was introduced to them by an Irish guy in my student days as the world's finest hangover cure.

They are most common in Western Northern Ireland and the North West counties of Ireland.

A claim that we stress-tested vigorously and could find no evidence to the contrary... although I'd call it a three-way tie between this sausage and egg sandwich and a full English fry-up!

Traditionally made from mashed potato and grated potato, they have a fantastic texture.

Cooking boxty in buerre noisette or browned butter gives them a wonderfully nutty flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use leftover mashed potatoes?

No, I rarely do, because let's face it, who has leftover mash?

It does need to be cold, though. I usually bake a small potato in the air fryer the night before, scoop it out, add a bit of cream and butter and drop it in the fridge.

I've written at length about mash in my mashed potato recipe if you want some more help.

Does the type of potato for the grated potato matter?

Yes, and the grated potato in this recipe needs floury or mealy potatoes. A variety like Maris Piper, King Edwards or a Russet potato if you are in the US or Canada.

If you are in one of the places in Europe that uses the awful A/B/C classification, you are looking for type C.

Can I make these pancakes in advance?

I would not cook and reheat boxty because they tend to become a little greasy and soggy.

Can I cook boxty in oil rather than butter?

Yes, but use a cooking oil with a neutral flavour and not a strongly flavoured oil like olive oil.

ONE FINAL NOTE:

It is important to add the milk a little at a time; the amount required will vary depending on the amount of dairy in your mash and the moisture in the grated potato.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve my boxty as part of a breakfast plate (for lunch or dinner), first and foremost, I'd add poached eggs.

Then you can let your mind or belly go wherever it desires.

Here I've added a grilled tomato, some lovely thick-cut bacon and fried mushrooms.

Baked beans are usually a solid option on a breakfast plate, but I don't think that they work particularly well with boxty.

Sausages are another great idea, I've even got the perfect homemade sausage recipe for those of you who feel up to a bit of food "crafting".

Equipment Used

I only name-check brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Hob/stovetop.
• 30cm or 12" frying pan.
• Spatulas.
• Mixing bowl.
• Stirring spoons and forks.
• A combination of weighing scales, a measuring jug, measuring cups and spoons.