Boxty Irish Pancakes: An Easy And Tasty Irish Potato Side Dish Recipe! (2024)

by Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

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Boxty Irish pancakes are a delicious and traditional staple of Irish cuisine full of hearty texture and rich flavors. These savory pancakes are made with grated raw potatoes and mashed potatoes, flour, baking soda, and buttermilk, resulting in a delightfully crispy exterior and a fluffy center.

Serve them alongside some scrambled eggs and crispy bacon or breakfast sausage. Enjoy!

Boxty Irish Pancakes: An Easy And Tasty Irish Potato Side Dish Recipe! (1)
Jump to:
  • 🌎 Origin
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make Boxty Irish Pancakes
  • ❓ FAQ
  • 😋 More Delicious Irish Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Reviews

Boxty Irish pancakes are an incredibly easy and versatile potato dish that can be served in many different ways!

These pancakes are the perfect way to transform your leftover mashed potatoes.

They can be served plain or with a variety of toppings such as bacon, sausage, and eggs for a satisfying Irish breakfast, or even as a side dish for lunch or dinner!

🌎 Origin

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake that is commonly associated with the northwestern region of Ireland, particularly in counties Cavan, Leitrim, and Longford.

The name "boxty" comes from the Irish phrase "arán bocht tí", which means "poor-house bread".

The origins of boxty can be traced back to the 18th century when potatoes became a staple crop in Ireland.

Boxty was a way for farmers to use their surplus potatoes to create a filling and nutritious dish that could be stored for several days. It was especially popular during the winter months when fresh food was scarce.

🥘 Ingredients

All you need is some raw Russet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and a handful of simple ingredients to make this easy potato dish that is full of delicious flavor.

Some boxty recipes will omit the egg and use the starch of the potato water, but I highly recommend using the egg to help bind the ingredients together.

  • Russet Potatoes - 2cups ofRusset potatoes(peeled and grated).
  • Mashed Potatoes - 2cups ofmashed potatoes(Russet potatoes or any other starchy variety).
  • All-Purpose Flour - 1cup ofall-purpose flour.
  • Baking Soda - 1teaspoon ofbaking soda.
  • Salt - ½teaspoon ofsalt(to taste).
  • Buttermilk - ½cup ofbuttermilk(or whole milk).
  • Egg - 1largeegg(beaten at room temperature).
  • Butter - 1 tablespoon of butter(or olive oil for frying).

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

Boxty Irish Pancakes: An Easy And Tasty Irish Potato Side Dish Recipe! (2)

🔪 How To Make Boxty Irish Pancakes

Don't be intimated if you've never made potato pancakes before because this recipe is completely beginner-friendly.

To begin, take out a cast iron skillet, measuring utensils, a few mixing bowls, and a silicone spatula set.

This recipe will make around 8 servings! You can always scale up if you need to, just make sure to not overcrowd your pan when you go to fry the pancakes.

  1. Prep. Start by peeling and grating the 2 cups of raw potatoes. Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze the excess moisture.
  2. Mix. In a separate bowl, mix the 2 cups of mashed cooked potatoes, 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Add in the grated potatoes and mix well.
  3. Whisk. Whisk the ½ cup buttermilk and 1 large beaten egg in another bowl.
  4. Stir. Add the milk and egg mixture to the potato mixture and stir until well combined.
  5. Heat. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and melt a tablespoon of butter or oil.
  6. Fry boxty. Scoop a ¼ cup of the potato mixture onto the frying pan and flatten it to about ¼ inch thickness. Cook the boxty for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Repeat. Repeat until all of the potato mixture has been used, adding more butter or oil to the pan as needed.
  8. Serve. Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, green onions, or cheese.
Boxty Irish Pancakes: An Easy And Tasty Irish Potato Side Dish Recipe! (3)

💭 Tips & Notes

  • Removing Moisture: Thoroughly squeeze out the moisture from the grated potatoes to ensure the boxty stays together and doesn't become too soggy.
  • Choosing the Right Pan: Cook the boxty in a non-stick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet to avoid sticking.
  • Keeping Boxty Warm: Place cooked boxty in a low-heated oven to keep them warm while preparing the rest.
  • Adjusting Texture: For extra crispiness, consider adding a little more flour to the batter.
  • Customizing Your Boxty: Get creative with toppings and fillings like bacon, sausage, or cheese. You can try different types of toppings like taco or pancake toppings.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat your leftovers on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Alternatively, you can reheat them on the stovetop over medium heat in some cooking oil (or butter) for 3-5 minutes on each side or until heated through and crispy.

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

❓ FAQ

Can I Make These Irish Pancakes In Advance?

Absolutely! You can make them a few days in advance if you store them in an airtight container in the fridge. All you need to do is reheat them in some butter (or cooking oil) for a few minutes on each side before you are ready to serve!

Can These Be Frozen?

Yes! Once the pancakes completely cool off, you can store them in a heavy-duty plastic storage bag for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat the pancakes on a frying pan with some butter or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Can I Make Boxty Irish Pancakes Without An Egg?

Technically, yes. Some boxty recipes will leave the egg out; however, I highly recommend including it. Adding an egg to the batter is primarily to help bind the ingredients together and create a slightly fluffier and more cohesive pancake. The protein in the egg helps to hold the mixture together while also adding a bit of richness and flavor to the finished pancakes! For more information, check out my article on why you should add an egg to mashed potatoes!

Boxty Irish Pancakes: An Easy And Tasty Irish Potato Side Dish Recipe! (4)

😋 More Delicious Irish Recipes

  • Irish Soda Bread - This delicious and easy traditional Irish soda bread recipe only requires 4 ingredients to make!
  • Irish Lamb Stew - This tasty stew full of tender lamb meat and vegetables is perfect to serve for St. Patrick's Day dinner!
  • Irish Nachos - Everything you love about nachos is made on top of layered potato slices!
  • Irish Potato Candy - These fun and unique candies look like potatoes but are full of creamy coconut and cinnamon flavor!
  • Dublin Coddle - Dublin coddle is a comforting stew that is loaded with sausage, bacon, and potatoes!
  • Irish Apple Cake - Enjoy this easy and flavorful cake in the morning with a cup of coffee or after dinner with a tasty vanilla custard sauce!

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📖 Recipe Card

Boxty Irish Pancakes: An Easy And Tasty Irish Potato Side Dish Recipe! (5)

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Boxty Irish Pancakes

Boxty Irish pancakes are a delicious and traditional staple of Irish cuisine full of hearty texture and rich flavors. These savory pancakes are made with grated raw potatoes and mashed potatoes, flour, baking soda, and buttermilk, resulting in a delightfully crispy exterior and a fluffy center.

Author | Angela

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 158kcal

Prep 15 minutes minutes

Cooking 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups russet potatoes (peeled and grated)
  • 2 cups mashed potatoes (Russet potatoes, or any other starchy variety)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • ½ cup buttermilk (or whole milk)
  • 1 large egg (beaten, at room temperature)
  • butter (or olive oil for frying)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions

  • Start by peeling and grating the raw potatoes. Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the excess moisture.

  • In a separate bowl, mix the mashed cooked potatoes, flour, baking soda, and salt. Add in the grated potatoes and mix well.

  • In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and beaten egg.

  • Add the milk and egg mixture to the potato mixture and stir until well combined.

  • Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and melt a tablespoon of butter or oil.

  • Scoop a ¼ cup of the potato mixture onto the frying pan and flatten it to about ¼ inch thickness. Cook the boxty for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.

  • Repeat until all of the potato mixture has been used, adding more butter or oil to the pan as needed.

  • Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, green onions, or cheese.

Notes

  • Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon gold, which have a high starch content and low moisture content, making them ideal for mashing and grating.
  • Grate the raw potatoes finely and use a clean cloth or cheesecloth to squeeze out as much water as possible.
  • You can use different ingredients like herbs, spices, cheese, green onions, or chives as optional add-ins if you'd like!
  • Don't overcrowd the pan, cook the boxty in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the boxty to stick together and become mushy.
  • To store: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat: Reheat your leftover boxty Irish potatoes on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Alternatively, you can reheat them on the stove top over medium heat in some cooking oil for 3-5 minutes on each side, or until heated through and crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcal (8%) | Carbohydrates: 32g (11%) | Protein: 5g (10%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 25mg (8%) | Sodium: 325mg (14%) | Potassium: 367mg (10%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 61IU (1%) | Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) | Calcium: 32mg (3%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)

Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!

best boxty Irish potatoes, Boxty Irish Potatoes, boxty Irish potatoes ingredients, Breakfast Ideas, breakfast potatoes, potato recipes

Course Breakfast, Potato Dishes, Side Dish

Cuisine Irish

Boxty Irish Pancakes: An Easy And Tasty Irish Potato Side Dish Recipe! (6)

Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

bakeitwithlove.com/about/

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Boxty Irish Pancakes: An Easy And Tasty Irish Potato Side Dish Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What does boxty mean in Irish? ›

The name Boxty is an unusual one, probably deriving from the old Irish word 'bacstai', or 'Aran bocht-ti', meaning 'poor-house bread'. Fitting for this simple potato bread, generally cooked on the griddle pan over the open fire in traditional tiny cottages of the day.

What do you eat with Irish boxty? ›

It's commonly served with smoked salmon, sour cream, sausages, fried eggs, bacon, lamb chops, and even the notorious Irish beef stew. Boxty is regularly eaten at breakfast, but it's really a food you can enjoy any time of day.

What is the difference between boxty and potato? ›

'What makes boxty different to other potato breads is you grate the raw potato and extract the moisture out of it and add that back into it with some mash…if it's all mash, it's not boxty, definitely not. ' Pádraic Óg explains.

What are the different types of boxty? ›

Although mostly referred as just boxty, there are really three types of the popular Irish recipe: boiled boxty also known as boxty dumplings, pan boxty and loaf boxty.

What is potato slang for in Irish? ›

Spuds. We can't talk about Irish slang without mentioning potatoes! “Spuds” is another word for potatoes.

What is the national dish in Ireland? ›

Irish Stew is a thick, hearty dish of mutton, potatoes, and onions and undisputedly the national dish of Ireland. Within the dish are many of the ingredients synonymous with the island, potatoes being one of the most recognized.

What is the most common Irish meal? ›

One of the most popular and iconic Irish foods is undoubtedly the traditional Irish stew. This hearty dish typically consists of tender chunks of meat (such as lamb or beef), potatoes, onions, carrots, and sometimes other vegetables like celery or parsnips.

What is a true Irish meal? ›

Colcannon and champ

Colcannon is a classic, comforting mash of potatoes, cabbage (or kale) and butter (or cream), flavoured with spring onions. Champ is a similar, mashed potato favourite, flavoured with spring onions, milk and butter. Try making your own... Colcannon or champ made with mustard or celeriac.

Why is it called a boxty? ›

The name 'Boxty' translates to "poor man's bread," but don't let that fool you! These potato pancakes are rich in flavor and history. The boxty is made by combining grated raw potatoes with mashed potatoes, mixing them with flour, baking soda, and sometimes buttermilk, and then frying them on a griddle.

What is the best potato in Ireland? ›

Rooster potatoes are the most popular variety in Ireland due to its all-round cooking characteristics. They have a distinct red skin with yellow flesh. Recommended for: a wide range of uses – boiling, mashing, roasting and baking.

Is boxty Scottish or Irish? ›

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake made with leftover mashed potato and grated raw potato. An old Irish rhyme goes: "Boxty on the griddle, boxty on the pan; if you can't make boxty, you'll never get a man." Our family has been making this delicious recipe for years!

Who invented boxty? ›

Boxty originated in Ireland sometime in the late 18th century, primarily in the northern counties of Cavan and Donegal. Now they're eaten all over Ireland, usually alongside meat or stew.

What is a full Irish breakfast? ›

A traditional full Irish breakfast comprises bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, beans, soda bread or toast, tomatoes, mushrooms, and white or black pudding. For those wondering, black pudding coagulates the pig's blood into a sausage form. The white pudding is simply a pork sausage, usually flat.

Why is boxty popular in Ireland? ›

Boxty is an authentic Irish dish which originated in the 1700s. It was a staple food in Irish households where potatoes were relied upon to survive.

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? ›

What is the difference between Colcannon and Champ? Both Irish dishes, Champ is mashed potatoes with chopped spring onions (scallions) and milk. Colcannon is Champ with the addition of cabbage and sometimes some herbs.

What is a boxty at Irish 31? ›

Originating in the north midlands of Ireland, the Boxty was once nothing more than a traditional Irish potato cake. Until, that is, Irish 31 came up with three versions of this 'peasant dish' that will make you wonder where these little potato balls have been all of your life!

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