Instead of thinking outside the box, this time let’s think inside the box…ty.
You know, boxty. The Irish potato pancake. Something I heard for the first time when Prince William was about to be married. If I remember correctly, Anderson Cooper was discussing it.
Somehow, somewhere, someone heard a rumor that boxty was to be served at the very secret bachelor party.
Whether it was true or not, I have no idea. But AC was in London, covering the wedding, and in preparation, was getting a lesson in everything British. From Isha Sesay and Richard Quest, I think.
They talked about what appropriate things to wear and not to wear, what to do and not do, say and not say, and so on and so forth.
Then there was a mention of boxty. And AC went,” What?! What’s a boxty?!” along with me. So, someone got him a boxty, and it was a sad piece of what looked like bacon inside some kind of a bun. And AC went,” It’s disgusting!” along with me.
Isha Sesay made an excuse that it’d be better with some brown sauce, but AC wasn’t convinced, and definitely wasn’t impressed, along with me.
Well, fast forward…Uhm…8 years later, I’m now changing my tune. Who knows about AC, but I’m a changed woman, for sure, when it comes to Irish cuisine or at least the boxty.
Honestly, in my opinion, Irish cuisine may not be haute cuisine, but it’s definitely delicious cuisine! And boxty is a great example.
What Is Boxty?
Boxty is an Irish potato pancake, made with both cooked and raw potatoes. The cooked potatoes come in the form of mashed potatoes, while the raw potatoes are shredded. Flour, eggs, and milk are added to the potatoes to form a batter, which is then fried with a little oil or butter just like regular pancakes.
What Anderson Cooper was served might have been a London interpretation of it, but the real boxty is something of a revelation to me. It’s like a better hash brown if that’s possible.
If you ever google a boxty recipe, you’ll come across many kinds. Some with less flour and liquid and therefore, more hash brown-ey. Others with more flour and liquid and therefore, more pancake-y.
I tried many versions. And many sizes.
Here you see two different kinds.
You can tell from the texture, the ones on the left are the more pancake-y.
And still more here, thinner and bigger in size, more like crepes
They’re all good! I’ve decided, however, to present to you a boxty that’s in between, not too hash brown-ey, not too pancake-y.
Because balance is the spice of life, and compromise makes the world go ’round. That comes from the wisdom of Yoda, by the way.
Oh, no?! He never said that?! Well, I’m sure he will…in the next movie.
Is anybody else looking forward to the next Star Wars movie?! Me, too!
Let’s not get distracted, though. We’re talking about boxty, remember?
Once you decide what kind of boxty you want, and you make it, the next decision to make is what topping or filling you want.
That’s when you need to start thinking inside the boxty.
Here are two suggestions I have for you.
Serve it, naturally, as breakfast, with eggs and bacon. Or in this case, thinly sliced corned beef. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
Or you can serve it as lunch or dinner, with creamy chicken and broccoli ragout. Also perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
- 2 cups cooked and mashed potatoes
- 2 cups raw potatoes, shredded and squeezed dry
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Butter and/or cooking oil
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients until combined. You’ll get a stiff but spreadable batter.
- In a large frying pan, on medium high heat, add a little amount of butter or oil.
- Drop batter by the spoonfuls (about ¼ cup for 3-inch pancakes), flattening and spreading/shaping with a spatula as needed.
- Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook 2 more minutes, or until pancakes are golden brown.
- Best served immediately while still warm.
- You can easily vary the ratios of the cooked/raw potatoes, flour, milk, and eggs, to suit your taste.
- Serve with your regular breakfast favorites such as bacon, sausages, or eggs. Or make it Irish-American by serving it with corned beef.
- If you make a thinner and bigger-sized boxty, you can treat it like a crepe, and put in any filling of your choice.
If you like this recipe, please give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comments section below. Thanks!
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I am drawn to words and “boxty” sure caught my eye (much more so than pancakes). I am half Irish on my Dad’s side and always try to make a special meal on St. Patrick’s Day. For breakfast these sound wonderful as I like the idea of using both mashed and raw potatoes. Colcannon is on my menu and I am having fun going through all the different versions just like you did!
I’m very much like that, too! Always drawn to interesting words. When I’m reading a menu and deciding what to order, it’s always the ones more interesting-sounding that win out 😀 Yes, it’s the combination of both raw and cooked potatoes that makes all the difference. I’ll be making colcannon, too! I have my favorite recipe on the blog, with brown butter. So. Good!!
That’s one of the recipes I’m looking at, very similar to kitchn but you add bacon!!!
Oh yeah?! I need to check out the kitchn!
I really need to try these, I see so many potato cakes and rostis and always plan to make them but still haven’t! Nows the time!!!
Yes, Elaine!! Maybe you can even add sweet potatoes or squash, it’ll be foodbod-approved ?
Nice ideas! Yum! ??
I don’t know much about Irish cuisine, but I do know that I like boxty – I’ve had it in restaurants but never homemade! Yours look picture perfect. I love the different ways you’ve served it! The broccoli ragout adds a nice pop of green 🙂
There’s an Irish pub just 2 minutes away from my house. They serve boxty with different fillings, but I think mine is better ? Yes, the broccoli does that, and also adds a nice crunch.
They sound so good….. and definitely very Irish. x
Thanks! God bless the Irish and their love of potatoes! ?
I’ve not heard of boxty before but potato pancakes sound delicious.
They’re delicious alright, Cat. Give them a try! Btw, are you wearing green or orange tomorrow? I have an English friend who makes sure she wears orange on St Patrick’s Day!
These look absolutely delicious, I’ll have to try them- fried egg, bacom and all! Your pics look gorgeous <3
Thanks so much! Please do try them, they’re really delicious!
I’ve never heard of a boxty, but I’m all for potato pancakes!
It seems not many people have. If I didn’t hear it years ago on AC360, I wouldn’t have known myself. I’m glad I did, though. I think I’ll make my hash brown this way from now on.
Thanks for cohosting, Alex ??
The idea of using them as a crepe is inspired, what a great idea. Also like the idea of adding sweet potatoes. I was going to make a lamb stew with mashed sweet potatoes tomorrow. These look delicious.
Thanks, Liz! I borrowed the idea from an Irish pub nearby, but the filling is different and I have to say mine tastes better. Their food is just not very good, sad to say. I think people go there mostly to drink. Your lamb stew sounds good. Bring it to the fiesta!
Thanks Angie, I will. I have been doing more gardening and moving than cooking the last few months.
These look and sound delicious! I’ve only ever had the German potato pancake, so these are a must-try! Thanks for linking to the Friday Frenzy!
Thanks so much! It’s my pleasure to join your link party; Colleen is a regular participant here at Fiesta Friday. I invite you to do the same, please. The more the merrier 🙂
I have never heard of boxty. Such a cool recipe, and they look delicious. Great share for St Patrick’s Day! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks, Antonia! I’m not surprised you haven’t heard. I think it’s not as well known as other potato pancakes, but I think you’ll like this one. You have a great weekend, too, ok?!
aaah….love this and love “boxty”…such a catchy word that i have not heard of before…I will make this and serve with egg on top and like crepes stuffed with goodness and any other way these can be devoured. Love!
I must have been the only one watching AC360 coverage of the royal wedding. I swear that was the first time I heard of boxty. Later on I had it in an Irish pub, but it wasn’t very good. I think they used “fake” potatoes, lol. Best to make it yourself at home, Zeba, and so easy!
Yes I am on it??
??
They look so crispy and delicious!
They were crisp when still warm, and definitely very delicious. Thanks!
I made some boxty, just tryiing out recipes like you did, now my work is done!! These look so scrumptious, Angie!
Thanks! I like that boxty uses both raw and cooked potatoes. Irish ingenuity! ?
🙂
The Irish certainly know how to cook a potato! I’ve made potato farls which are amazing. I will have to try this recipe too. Thanks for sharing!
Please do, you won’t be disappointed! I, on the other hand, will give potato farls a try! ?
I have never heard of boxty but they look absolutely delicious and I would be so happy if I could have some for breakfast! 🙂
It seems not many people have heard of it. Which is such a shame since it’s so good, though it’s the simplest thing ever! It’s almost as if someone just tried to finish off leftover mashed potatoes ?
hi Angie
I will absolutely try them! I have never been to country who loves their potatoes so much 🙂 Not complaining! x
Btw, Petra, Zeba @ Food For The Soul will be your cohost on Friday!
I am looking forward to it 🙂 xx
The word “boxty” just got me. I haven’t heard of this recipe, but I really love the sound of it. Potatoes. Potato overload – yum! 😀
Thanks, Jhuls! Potatoes rule the world?
Boxty??No, I can’t say I’ve ever heard of them either! We do make potato cakes, potato rosti and hash browns though so these are definitely something which will be made very soon! I love all your photos- it even looks like I could pick one right of that stack.☺ Oh, and Angie… Thanks for sharing a recipe at your own Fiesta???
I thought it’s about time?? Am I the only one who watched AC360 discussing boxty? I swear that was how I found out abt it. I’m surprised you guys didn’t know about it, being so close to Ireland and all. Thanks for cohosting! ?
About time indeed! 😛 Yes, I think you’re the only one who watched it lol! No, not a clue… it’s all Guiness, Irish stew, Guiness, Irish Guiness stew and Guiness where we are! lol! Co-hosting… anytime! 😀 xxx
potato pancakes – haven’t had them in years! love your ideas!
Thanks so much! They were delicious!
I have never had a potato pancake! How great does that sound??
Now that you have, I think you should give it a try!
I am fairly low carb, but I’d dive into these in a heartbeat!!! I am putting these on my Soon To Make list.
Add sweet potatoes or winter squash in the batter and make them very small; that should help lower the carb count ? Thanks, Diann!
These look great – I had boxty years ago at an Irish pub in Charlotte, NC. I don’t remember if they were particularly good or not, but I’m sure a homemade version would be better anyway!
Yes, they were very tasty; I should make more. Thanks so much for your comment ?
This looks great! I will definitely try your version some time (bacon??). By the way Anderson Cooper is known for being very unadventurous in his eating.
Thanks, Diann! I think I saw Cooper reluctantly tried something suggested by Anthony Bourdain, claiming it was the last thing he wanted to eat, lol.
Just made these, family loved them! No leftovers! Thanks for a great recipe.
That’s great to hear! Thanks for letting me know how much your family enjoyed these. ?
These look delicious, and a great way for using up some leftover mashed potato!
Yes, I agree. Thanks so much ?
I saw many boxty recipes on Pinterest. Yours is the easiest to follow and without adding extra calories and fat like sour cream or buttermilk. Some recipes add half and half! Too heavy! The boxties were delicious.
Thanks so much! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe!