Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes (Printable Version)
Crispy, tender boxty pancakes made from mashed and grated potatoes combined with fresh scallions.
# What You'll Need:
→ Potatoes
01 - 1 lb russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 - ½ lb russet potatoes, peeled and grated
→ Dairy
03 - ½ cup whole milk
04 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for frying)
→ Vegetables & Aromatics
05 - 4 scallions, finely sliced
→ Dry Ingredients
06 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
07 - 1 tsp baking powder
08 - ½ tsp fine sea salt
09 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Place the chopped potatoes in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until fork-tender (about 12–15 minutes). Drain and mash until smooth. Let cool slightly.
02 - Squeeze excess moisture from the grated potatoes using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the mashed and grated potatoes. Add the milk, melted butter, scallions, flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until just combined; do not overmix.
04 - Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a little butter.
05 - Drop heaping spoonfuls of batter (about ¼ cup each) onto the skillet, gently flattening each to about ½ inch thick.
06 - Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crisp. Work in batches, adding more butter as needed.
07 - Transfer cooked boxty to a plate lined with paper towels. Serve warm, garnished with extra scallions if desired.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Using both mashed and grated potatoes creates an incredible texture, fluffy inside with a golden crunch that makes breakfast feel special
- The scallions add a mild onion sweetness that pairs beautifully with the earthy potatoes, like a gentle hug in pancake form
02 -
- Under no circumstances skip the potato squeezing step, or you will end up with gummy, disappointing pancakes that refuse to crisp properly
- Letting the mashed potatoes cool slightly before mixing prevents the butter from separating and creating greasy spots in the final pancake
03 -
- Use the largest holes on your box grater for the grated potatoes, creating longer strands that crisp up beautifully rather than disappearing into the batter
- Keep the cooked pancakes warm in a low oven while finishing the batch, so everyone can eat together at the perfect temperature