French Onion Mashed Potato Cakes – Healthier than pan-fried potato cakes, these French onion baked mashed potato cakes are crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, with a rich and flavorful French onion topping. This easy potato side dish accompanies your holiday mains like grilled meat, fish, and poultry. These baked mashed potato cakes topped with French onion combine mashed potatoes, eggs, Gruyere, butter, salt, and pepper. They are perfect not just for your holiday parties but also for potlucks, neighborhood get-togethers, or just because you have leftover mashed potatoes!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the French Onion Baked Mashed Potato Cakes Recipe
- 1 3/4 lbs (800g) potatoes, peeled, rinsed, and quartered
- 3 medium onions, finely sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/4 cup low-sodium vegetable broth, optional
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese (or any cheese of your choice)
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 tablespoons chives, chopped
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make the French onion baked potato cakes: Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-8 minutes until soft. Reduce heat to medium, add one tablespoon soy sauce, and cook, occasionally stirring, until onions are caramelized – about 15 minutes. Pour 1/4 cup of broth to deglaze if your pan gets too dry, and keep stirring until the onions are browned. Set your French onion aside.
2. In the meantime, soak quartered potatoes in a pot with cold salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 10-12 minutes. Once done, drain the potatoes and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine cooked potatoes (still hot), eggs, butter, grated Gruyere, and chives. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the texture with a bit of milk if necessary.
4. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. On the baking sheet, using a ring mold, scoop the potato mixture to shape the cakes — about 1 1/2 inch thick. Press down slightly with the back of a spatula and finish with a layer of French onion. Remove the ring mold and repeat the process. Sprinkle each potato cake with grated Gruyere.
6. Bake the French onion mashed potato cakes in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes or until golden. You can switch to broiling mode for one minute or two at the end to crisp up the edges if you like. Serve warm, with a sprinkle of fresh chives on top. Enjoy! ❤️
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the French onion mashed potato cakes recipe
- For fluffy mashed potatoes, choosing the right type of potato is key! Russets or Yukon Golds are great for potato mash. Or better yet, use a combination of both. Avoid waxy varieties like Red Bliss and Fingerling because they don’t contain a lot of starch, so they won’t break down well or absorb dairy, as well as other varieties.
- Begin the process of seasoning early by adding salt to the water when cooking the potatoes. By salting the water, you won’t find yourself with bland potatoes.
- Always start cooking potatoes with cold water. Starting with hot water increases the chances of uneven cooking—the outside of the potato will end up overcooked. At the same time, the inside will remain firm and undercooked, which is not optimum for mashing.
How to keep the mashed potato cakes leftovers?
You can keep the French onion mashed potato cakes leftovers in your refrigerator for 2 days or freeze them in Ziploc bags for 3 months. Thaw the potato cakes on the counter and pop them in the oven to reheat.
More baked potato recipes
- 10 Best Oven-Baked Potatoes Recipes
- Garlic Parmesan Butter Roasted Potatoes
- Oven-Baked Mashed Potato Cakes
- Roasted Garlic Butter Parmesan Potatoes
- Extra Crispy Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
