Name: Crispy Irish Boxty 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 (for vegan option, use oil); Chopped green onions/scallions; Shredded white cheddar cheese

I can’t wait to share this Crispy Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes Recipe with you — it’s a true kitchen gem! The golden, crunchy exterior gives way to a soft, tender inside that just screams comfort food, perfect for breakfast or brunch any 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 Boxty Potato Pancakes Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Crispy Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Crispy Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Crispy Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes Recipe has become one of my go-to comfort dishes. There’s something incredibly satisfying about combining cold mashed potatoes with grated raw potatoes to achieve that perfect crispy-yet-tender texture. Once you try making these, you’ll wonder why it wasn’t in your breakfast rotation sooner!

Authentic texture: The mix of cold mashed and grated raw potatoes creates a unique, crispy outside and soft inside you won’t find elsewhere.
Simple ingredients: No fancy stuff here—just basic pantry staples and potatoes, which makes it easy and budget-friendly.
Versatile meal: These pancakes work great for breakfast, brunch, or even a hearty snack anytime.
Customizable: You can jazz them up with additions like green onions or cheddar without losing the classic Irish charm.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dive in, a quick tip: choose starchy varieties like russet potatoes—they’re the secret to getting that ideal texture in your boxty. Also, using buttermilk adds a subtle tang and keeps the batter moist without washing out the flavor.

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 cold mashed potatoes helps create a thicker batter and adds a creamy contrast to the grated raw potatoes.
Grated raw potatoes: These provide moisture and structure, giving the pancakes a fresh potato flavor and helping them bind together.
All-purpose flour: Acts as the binder and adds to the structure, ensuring the pancakes hold together during frying.
Salt: Enhances all the potato’s natural flavors in the boxty.
Baking soda: Gives a slight lift and fluffiness to the pancakes, balancing their density.
Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and moisture, keeping the pancakes tender inside while crisping outside.
Butter, bacon grease, or lard: Frying fats that provide rich flavor and help achieve that beautiful golden crust (use oil for a vegan option).
Optional add-ins: Chopped green onions or shredded white cheddar can add a fresh zing or cheesy warmth, depending on your mood.

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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

One of the best things about this Crispy Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes Recipe is how adaptable it is. You can easily tweak it to suit your taste or dietary needs without sacrificing that wonderful crispy texture and comforting flavor.

Cheesy Boxty: Adding shredded white cheddar cheese into the batter gives the pancakes a luscious, melty surprise inside. I love this variation for a brunch treat with some smoky bacon on the side.
Green Onion Boost: Stirring in chopped green onions or scallions adds a fresh, mild bite that brightens the earthiness of the potatoes. It’s a simple way to add some extra zing!
Vegan Version: Swap the buttermilk for a plant-based alternative like oat or almond milk mixed with a splash of vinegar, and use oil instead of butter or lard for frying. You still get that golden crispiness and classic flavor.
Herb & Spice Twist: Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme or parsley, or add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne for a subtle warmth. It makes the pancakes a little more layered in flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Crispy Irish Boxty 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: Prepare and chill your mashed potatoes

Start by boiling and mashing your starchy potatoes—russets work wonderfully here. Once mashed, chill them thoroughly for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight. Cold mashed potatoes give the batter the right texture and help your boxty hold together beautifully during frying.

Step 2: Mix together the dry ingredients

In a small bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Having this ready will make the next steps smooth and keep your batter evenly seasoned.

Step 3: Drain the grated raw potatoes

Grate 2 cups of raw russet potatoes and place them in a clean cotton kitchen towel. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible—this step is crucial to prevent soggy pancakes and achieve that sought-after crispness. If you want to be extra traditional, you can reserve the liquid and let the starch settle before adding it back in, but it’s optional.

Step 4: Combine all ingredients into a batter

In a large mixing bowl, add the cold mashed potatoes, the grated and drained raw potatoes, and the flour mixture. Pour in 1 ½ cups buttermilk and stir everything together thoroughly. If it feels too thick or dry to scoop easily, add a little more buttermilk until you reach a scoopable consistency that still holds its shape.

Step 5: Fry the potato pancakes to golden perfection

Heat your chosen frying fat—whether butter, bacon grease, lard, or oil—in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. Scoop portions of the potato mixture into the pan and press them flat to form pancakes. Fry until the bottoms are golden brown, then carefully flip and cook the other side. Keep an eye on the heat; you want a lovely crust without burning the outside before the potatoes cook through.

Step 6: Keep warm and serve fresh

As you finish frying the boxty, transfer cooked pancakes to a warm oven to stay hot and crisp. Serve them immediately to enjoy that perfect combination of warm, fluffy interior and crisp edges. They’re delicious on their own or with your favorite toppings!

Top Tip

Bringing the perfect texture and flavor to your Crispy Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes Recipe is all about attention to detail. These tips will help you master the art of making boxty just like the Irish do!

Wring Out the Potatoes: From my own kitchen experience, thoroughly wringing out the grated potatoes using a clean kitchen towel removes excess moisture, which is key to achieving that signature crispy texture.
Chill the Mashed Potatoes: I learned that using cold mashed potatoes, ideally chilled for at least 3 hours or overnight, greatly improves the batter consistency and final pancake structure.
Control Your Heat: Cooking the pancakes over medium-high heat, but adjusting as needed, helped me avoid burnt outsides with undercooked centers—it’s a balancing act worth mastering.
Keep Them Warm: Placing cooked boxty in a warm oven while frying the rest keeps the pancakes hot and crisp, so every bite tastes fresh and delicious.

How to Serve Crispy Irish Boxty 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

Boxty is wonderfully versatile when it comes to garnishes. Some of my favorites include a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche, a sprinkle of chopped fresh chives or green onions for a bright pop, or a little melted butter drizzled on top. For an indulgent twist, add a sprinkle of shredded white cheddar cheese right before flipping your pancakes to let it melt into the batter.

Side Dishes

Crispy Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes pair beautifully with traditional Irish sides like sautéed cabbage or smoky bacon. For a brunch spread, try serving them alongside scrambled eggs, roasted tomatoes, or baked beans. If you want to keep things simple yet hearty, a fresh green salad dressed lightly with lemon and olive oil works wonders to balance the richness of the boxty.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store any leftover boxty in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure to layer the pancakes with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together and losing their crispness.

Freezing

To freeze, flash-cool the cooked pancakes on a baking sheet until firm, then stack them with parchment paper in between and place them in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. This method keeps them separate and easy to reheat without clumping.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat boxty in a hot skillet with a little butter or oil over medium heat until warmed through and crispy again, about 3-4 minutes per side. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve crispiness, though it works if you're in a pinch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make Boxty vegan?

Absolutely! Simply swap out the butter, bacon grease, or lard for your favorite neutral oil (like vegetable or canola oil), and replace buttermilk with a plant-based milk mixed with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic the tangy acidity.

Why is it important to use starchy potatoes like russets?

Starchy potatoes such as russets provide the ideal texture and binding for boxty. They help the pancakes hold together while providing that light, crispy exterior that’s so delightful.

Can I skip chilling the mashed potatoes?

While you can skip chilling, letting your mashed potatoes cool for at least 3 hours improves the batter’s consistency and helps you achieve the perfect crispy edges without gummy spots.

How do I avoid soggy boxty pancakes?

Wring out the grated potatoes thoroughly to remove excess moisture and avoid soaking the batter with too much buttermilk. Also, cook them over medium heat so the inside cooks fully without burning the outside.

Final Thoughts

Making Crispy Irish Boxty Potato Pancakes Recipe is a wonderful way to welcome a bit of Irish tradition into your kitchen. With their golden crispiness and comforting potato flavor, these pancakes are sure to become a staple in your breakfast or brunch rotation. Take your time with the prep, embrace the chill time, and savor each crispy, tender bite. Sláinte!