Boxty | Irish Potato Pancakes (Crispy and Delicious)
Boxty, a beloved dish from Ireland, captures the essence of comforting home cooking in every crispy bite. These Irish potato pancakes have a delightful combination of textures, with creamy mashed potatoes blended seamlessly with grated raw potatoes, creating a dish that’s both hearty and satisfying. Whether enjoyed at breakfast, as a side dish, or even as a light dinner, boxty holds a special place at tables across Ireland and beyond.
Table of Contents
I discovered boxty during a memorable trip to Ireland, where I first tasted these golden-brown patties at a quaint local diner. Their crispy exterior gave way to a fluffy center, making it hard to resist reaching for just one more. My experience with boxty left a lasting impression, leading me to recreate this dish at home. Not only is it incredibly delicious, but it’s also easy to make and perfect for gatherings. It’s no wonder that boxty | Irish potato pancakes (crispy and delicious) have become a favorite in my household, and I’m thrilled to share this recipe with you.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: With a total cook time of about 210 minutes, you can still prepare a delicious meal without rushing.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of creamy mashed and grated potatoes creates a unique flavor that’s cozy and comforting.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: These pancakes are golden and crispy, making them visually enticing on any plate!
- Flexible Serving: Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, these pancakes can be served with sour cream, chives, or even a poached egg.
- Diet-Friendly Options: You can easily adapt this recipe to be vegan by using plant-based oil instead of butter or lard.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes: Choose a starchy variety like russets for a creamier texture. If you don’t have leftovers, just boil and mash some potatoes until smooth.
- 2 cups grated raw potatoes: Again, go for starchy varieties. Grating fresh potatoes will yield a fresh flavor and texture. Wring out the moisture for the best result.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: This is essential for binding the potato mixture. If you need a gluten-free option, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt: Enhances the flavors; it’s a must for seasoning.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the boxty puff up and gives them a light texture.
- 1 ½ to 2 cups buttermilk: Adds richness and moisture. You can substitute with milk mixed with a splash of vinegar if you’re out of buttermilk.
- Butter, bacon grease, or lard for frying: Use any of these for a deliciously crispy finish, with oil as a vegan alternative.
- Optional add-ins: Feel free to toss in chopped green onions or shredded white cheddar cheese for extra flavor.
How to Make Boxty | Irish Potato Pancakes (Crispy and Delicious)
Prepare the Potatoes: Start by boiling, draining, and mashing 2 cups of cold mashed potatoes. Allow them to chill until cold or refrigerate overnight if you’re preparing ahead.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Mixing this separately ensures the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Wring Out Grated Potatoes: Grate 2 cups of raw potatoes and place them on a clean cotton kitchen towel. Wring out as much liquid as possible to avoid a soggy batter. This is crucial for achieving that crispy texture.
Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled mashed potatoes, grated potatoes, and the flour mixture. Stir in 1 ½ cups of buttermilk and mix until everything comes together. If it feels too thick or dry, sprinkle in a bit more buttermilk until you reach a workable consistency.
Fry the Pancakes: Heat some butter, bacon grease, lard, or oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. Use a scoop to form individual patties by pressing the potato mixture down into the pan, flattening them slightly. Fry until the bottom is golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Then, flip and brown the other side carefully, adjusting the heat as needed to avoid burning.
Keep Warm: Once cooked, transfer the boxty to a warm oven while finishing up the remaining patties. This keeps them nice and toasty for serving.
Serve Hot: Enjoy your boxty right away while they’re still hot for that perfect crispy finish. Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, chives, or even savory meats for a hearty treat.
Storing & Reheating
To store leftover boxty, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. If you want to extend their shelf life, refrigerate them for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat in a skillet over low heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side, adding a little butter or oil to refresh the texture. While freezing may alter the texture slightly, a quick reheat will help bring back the deliciousness.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Be sure to drain excess moisture from the grated potatoes; this factor is key to achieving crispy boxty.
- If you’re not getting the results you want, check your frying temperature. Too hot can lead to burning, while too cool won’t create that desirable crisp.
- Before serving to guests, taste and adjust salt levels, as this can really enhance the flavor.
- For a fun twist, consider experimenting with your add-ins. A mix of herbs or spices can introduce additional flavors to the boxty.
Enjoy exploring variations with your boxty, and don’t hesitate to adjust the recipe to suit your tastes!
When it comes to boxty | Irish potato pancakes (crispy and delicious), you truly taste the tradition of Irish cooking in every bite. These delightful pancakes are versatile, easy to make, and perfect for a cozy gathering or a simple family meal. I urge you to give them a try—add your special touch, whether it’s a few herbs, vegetables, or just classic butter and syrup!
Recipe FAQs
What type of potatoes are best for boxty?
For the best texture and flavor, use starchy potatoes like russets. Their creaminess contrasts beautifully with the grated raw potatoes, resulting in a perfect pancake.
Can I make boxty ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the mashed potatoes and batter a day in advance. Just refrigerate until you are ready to fry and serve.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose blend, and you should achieve a similar texture and taste.
What can I serve with boxty?
These pancakes are delicious on their own but pair beautifully with sour cream, fresh herbs, or even a poached egg. Enjoy them as part of breakfast, a lunch side, or a light dinner.
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📖 Recipe Card
Boxty | Irish Potato Pancakes (Crispy and Delicious)
- Prep Time: No data
- Cook Time: 210 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Pan-fried
- Cuisine: Irish
Description
Enjoy the irresistible flavor of Boxty, a traditional Irish potato pancake recipe made with both mashed and grated potatoes. This simple dish is perfect for a quick lunch or cozy dinner, satisfying your comfort food cravings with its delicious texture and taste.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
- 2 cups grated raw potatoes
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 to 2 cups buttermilk
- butter, bacon grease, or lard for frying
- optional add-ins: chopped green onions/scallions, shredded white cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes, drain them, and mash until smooth. Chill until cold or overnight.
- In a small bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside. Grate the raw potatoes, place them in a clean cotton kitchen towel, and wring out as much liquid as possible.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold mashed potatoes, grated potatoes, and the flour mixture.
- Add 1 1/2 cups buttermilk to the potato mixture and stir until combined. If the mixture appears too thick, add a bit more buttermilk until the desired consistency is reached.
- Heat butter, bacon grease, lard, or oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. Scoop the potato mixture into the pan, forming individual patties and flattening them slightly. Fry until the underside is brown, then flip to cook the other side until equally browned. Adjust the heat to ensure proper cooking of the raw potato inside without burning the outside.
- As you cook each batch, place the cooked boxty in a warm oven to keep them hot until serving.
- Serve the boxty hot. Enjoy!
Notes
Using starchy potatoes like russets enhances the texture of the pancakes.
Keep the cooked boxty warm in the oven while you finish frying the rest.
For a vegan option, substitute butter or lard with your preferred cooking oil.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
