The Ultimate Cream Cheese Potato Pancakes Recipe: Fluffy & Crisp

Cream cheese potato pancakes represent a delightful culinary surprise that upgrades ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

These savory delights combine comfort food nostalgia with unexpected flavor complexity.

Rich and indulgent, the pancakes offer a crisp exterior that gives way to a luxurious, creamy interior.

Scallions and melted cheese create a tantalizing center that surprises with each bite.

Traditional potato preparations never tasted this inventive or satisfying.

Home cooks can easily master this crowd-pleasing recipe that elevates simple ingredients into something spectacular.

Instructions for Making Cream Cheese Stuffed Potato Pancakes from Scratch

Step 1: Whip Up the Potato Goodness

• Mashed potatoes
• Shredded cheddar
• Flour
• Egg
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix everything until the ingredients are fully integrated and look like a creamy potato dream.

Step 2: Create the Crunchy Coating

• Bread crumbs
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper

This magical coating will give your pancakes an irresistible crunch.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Center

• Cream cheese
• Chopped scallions

Scoop out of this mixture and roll into a smooth ball.

Step 4: Shape Your Potato Masterpiece

Scoop ¼ cup of potato mixture, flatten into a thick patty. Place the cream cheese ball right in the center. Gently wrap the potato mixture around the filling, shaping it into a perfect patty.

Step 5: Give It a Crispy Coat

Roll each patty in the bread crumb mixture, ensuring an even coating. Gently press to flatten to ½-inch thickness. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Step 6: Chill and Prepare

Refrigerate the formed patties for 20-30 minutes. This helps them stay together during frying and enhances their texture.

Step 7: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add a pat of butter for extra flavor. Fry patties in batches for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn a beautiful golden brown and become wonderfully crispy.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer patties to paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve warm with a generous dollop of sour cream. Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Tips to Keep Cream Cheese Stuffed Potato Pancakes Crispy on the Outside

• Mash Potatoes Smoothly: Use a potato ricer or food mill for ultra-smooth, lump-free mashed potatoes that create a perfect pancake texture.
• Chill Before Frying: Refrigerating patties helps them stay intact and prevents them from falling apart during cooking, ensuring crispy, beautiful edges.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain medium heat around 350°F to achieve golden-brown exteriors without burning or undercooking the potato pancakes.
• Season Generously: Don't shy away from adding extra herbs like chopped dill or chives to boost the flavor profile of your cream cheese filling.
• Drain Excess Oil: Let pancakes rest on paper towels to absorb extra grease, keeping them crisp and preventing a soggy bottom.

Best Storage & Reheat Method for Cream Cheese Stuffed Potato Pancakes

• Storing Leftovers
• Refrigerate cooked potato pancakes in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
• Freezing Method
• Wrap individual pancakes in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze up to 2 months. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
• Reheating Instructions
• Oven Method: Preheat to 375°F. Place pancakes on a baking sheet and warm for 10-12 minutes until crispy. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain the crisp exterior. For best results, thaw frozen pancakes in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

What to Serve with Cream Cheese Stuffed Potato Pancakes Tonight

• Sip Cool Beer Pairing: Polish pilsner or light lager perfectly complements the crispy potato pancakes, cutting through their richness with refreshing carbonation and mild hoppy notes.
• Dip Creamy Sauce Companion: Tangy tzatziki or herbed ranch dressing adds zesty brightness, enhancing the cream cheese filling and providing a cool contrast to the hot, crunchy pancakes.
• Match Fresh Salad Side: Crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette brings light, peppery freshness that balances the heavy, indulgent potato pancakes, creating a well-rounded meal experience.
• Serve Fruity Chutney Accent: Sweet-tart apple or cranberry chutney provides a vibrant flavor pop that cuts through the pancakes' richness and adds a delightful unexpected dimension to each bite.

Unique Takes on Cream Cheese Stuffed Potato Pancakes

• Bacon Burst Potato Pancakes: Incorporate crispy chopped bacon into the potato mixture for a smoky, savory flavor that adds extra crunch and richness.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Mix in crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh herbs like oregano and parsley into the cream cheese filling for a Mediterranean-inspired variation.
• Spicy Jalapeño Popper Style: Replace scallions with diced jalapeños in the cream cheese filling and add extra cayenne pepper to the bread crumb coating for a fiery kick.
• Loaded Veggie Edition: Fold in finely diced bell peppers, corn, and spinach into the potato mixture for a vegetable-packed version that boosts nutrition and flavor.

Why Cream Cheese Stuffed Potato Pancakes Are an Irresistible Classic

• Savor Creamy Comfort: Indulge in the irresistible blend of crispy potato exterior and luscious cream cheese filling that melts in your mouth with every delightful bite.
• Elevate Snack Time: Transform ordinary potato pancakes into a gourmet experience with a burst of scallion-infused cream cheese that adds unexpected depth and richness to a classic comfort food.
• Master Quick Culinary Magic: Whip up these impressive potato pancakes in under an hour, perfect for weekend brunches, unexpected guests, or when you crave a restaurant-quality dish without complex techniques.

What Goes Inside Cream Cheese Stuffed Potato Pancakes

• Potatoes: Starchy and creamy base for the pancakes, providing a classic comfort food texture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp flavor enhancer that adds richness to the potato mixture.
• Flour: Binding agent that helps hold the pancake mixture together.
• Egg: Provides structure and helps bind the ingredients.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for bringing out the natural flavors.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy filling that creates a delightful surprise in the center of the pancakes.
• Scallions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that brightens the cream cheese filling.

• Bread Crumbs: Crispy exterior coating that gives a golden, crunchy texture.
• Garlic Powder: Adds depth of savory flavor to the coating.
• Onion Powder: Provides additional aromatic seasoning.
• Cayenne Pepper: Introduces a subtle heat and complexity to the coating.
• Vegetable Oil: Primary frying medium for achieving a crispy exterior.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps with browning during frying.

• Sour Cream: Cool, tangy topping that complements the crispy, savory pancakes.

Cream Cheese Potato Pancakes Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Polish potato pancakes meet creamy indulgence in this irresistible fusion dish. Crispy exterior and silky cream cheese center make these pancakes a delightful comfort meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (470 ml) mashed potatoes (prepared with milk and butter)
• ¼ cup (30 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup (60 g) cream cheese (room temperature)

Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 lightly beaten egg
• ¼ cup (30 g) seasoned breadcrumbs
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)

Garnish:

• 3 scallions (chopped)

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Instructions

1. Craft a robust potato base by thoroughly blending mashed potatoes with shredded cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, whisked egg, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture achieves a consistent texture.
2. Create a zesty coating mixture by combining panko bread crumbs with granulated garlic, powdered onion, and a hint of cayenne pepper in a wide, shallow dish.
3. Prepare a creamy filling by gently folding finely chopped green onions into softened cream cheese, then carefully portioning and rolling the mixture into compact spheres approximately in volume.
4. Develop individual pancakes by portioning out of potato mixture, flattening into a thick disc, then strategically positioning a cream cheese sphere at the center and delicately enveloping the filling with the potato mixture.
5. Thoroughly coat each potato patty by rolling it generously in the seasoned bread crumb mixture, ensuring complete coverage, then gently pressing to create a uniform 1/2-inch (1.27 centimeters) thick pancake.
6. Stabilize the assembled pancakes by chilling in the refrigerator for 25-35 minutes, which helps maintain structural integrity during cooking.
7. Heat a large skillet with neutral cooking oil over medium temperature, supplementing with a small pat of unsalted butter for enhanced flavor and golden-brown crisping.
8. Fry the potato pancakes in batches, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a rich, golden exterior and ensuring the internal cheese filling becomes delightfully melted.
9. Transfer the cooked pancakes onto paper towels to absorb excess oil, then serve immediately alongside a generous dollop of tangy sour cream.

Notes

• Chilling transforms these potato pancakes from potential crumbly mess to perfectly crisp delights.
• Cream cheese centers burst with herbal scallion flavor when heated, creating surprising creamy pockets.
• Bread crumb coating guarantees extra crunchiness that elevates these pancakes from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Gentle flattening technique ensures even cooking and a professional-looking golden-brown exterior.
• Refrigeration helps bind ingredients together, preventing pancakes from falling apart during frying.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Baking, Frying, Sautéing
• Cuisine: North American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 340 kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 430mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 9g
• Cholesterol: 55mg