Leftover Mashed Potato Waffles

Breathe life to your leftover mashed potatoes by turning them into hearty potato waffles! Crisp and golden on the outside yet tender and buttery on the inside, these savory waffles are sooo good that no one would ever think they were made with leftovers. Make these potato waffles and experience a whole new level of potato goodness.

Jump to Recipe

I’m so excited to share this recipe with everyone because I know that we all have plenty of leftover mashed potatoes after the holidays. Instead of trying to finish them over the next couple of days (and eventually throwing them out), make potato waffles instead – it’s the absolute best way to repurpose your leftover mashed potatoes.

When I tried this recipe for the first time, my kids fell in love! My 7-year-old son told me, “Great flavor. Great texture. Please don’t make any others. These are just perfect!” He was feeling afraid I would keep testing and change the recipe.

What I love most about potato waffles is that they’re endlessly versatile, making them a go-to option for any meal, whether for lunch, dinner, as a snack, a late-night bite, or even as a party dish. These delicious waffles are such an all-around comfort dish that you’d want to make them with a fresh batch of mashed potatoes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy recipe: A quick, no-fuss dish that comes together in just 25 minutes. Great for beginners.
• Simple ingredients: Made with affordable, everyday ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Nothing fancy needed here!
• Great use for leftovers: A creative and tasty way to repurpose leftover mashed potatoes into a fun new dish.
• Family-friendly: A fun take on classic mashed potatoes that everyone loves. Guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family!
• Delicious all-around dish: This simple, savory dish pairs well with a wide variety of food, making it a great option for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Versatile: Easily mix in your favorite ingredients or switch up toppings, making them perfect for any meal or taste preference.

How to Make Potato Waffles

Why eat regular waffles when you can enjoy savory potato waffles? Made with leftover mashed potatoes, a few pantry staples, and as many add-ins as you want, you’re in for a treat. They’re super easy to make, too – just prepare the batter then let your waffle iron do the rest. I guarantee the potatoes will come out smooth and tender inside, with a perfectly crispy bite.

Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients You Need

• Leftover mashed potatoes: You’ll be using your leftover mashed potatoes for this recipe. For next time, or if you want to make potato waffles using fresh potatoes, I recommend using starchy varieties like Yukon Gold, Idaho, or Russet because they turn out smoother and fluffier when mashed.
• Butter: Adds richness to the waffles and helps create a golden, crispy outer texture when cooked. Use salted or unsalted butter, depending on your preference.
• Onion
• Garlic
• Eggs: Act as a binder and contribute to the waffle’s light and fluffy texture inside. 
• Flour: Provides structure to the waffles, making sure they hold their shape and develop a crispy crust. 
• Salt
• Sour Cream
• Chives

Step-By-Step Instructions

With just 5 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of cook time, you’ll have tasty, filling potato waffles ready to enjoy. Follow the 3 simple steps below to transform your leftovers into a new and exciting meal!

Step 1: Cook the aromatics

First, melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the onions for 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and continue cooking for one more minute.

Step 2: Prepare the batter

Mix the cooked onion and garlic into the mashed potatoes in a medium bowl. Add the eggs, flour, and salt. Mix well to combine.

If you want to make this recipe with fresh mashed potatoes, just grate 2 pounds of potatoes using a box grater. Mix in with the other ingredients and continue as usual.

Step 3: Make the waffles

Prepare the waffle iron as needed. I like to melt a little butter on mine to prevent the waffles from sticking.

Use a 1/3 measuring cup to scoop batter onto the hot iron. Spread it out with the back of a spoon as needed. It will be very thick, so help it along to reach the edges. Cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Serve hot with 1 tablespoon of sour cream and a garnish of chives over each waffle.

Substitutions

Missing one of the ingredients or prefer to use something else? Try these substitutions:

• Butter: If you don’t want to use butter, substitute with coconut or olive oil.
• Flour: Use 50% whole wheat flour or oat flour with 50% white flour if preferred. You can also substitute with the same amount of gluten-free flour blend.
• Sour cream: Ran out of sour cream? Top your waffles with plain Greek yogurt, creme fraiche, or cream cheese instead.
• Chives: No chives? Use green onion instead.

Variations

These waffles taste amazing on their own, but it’s fun to mix and match them! Just like potatoes themselves, these tasty waffles pretty much go with anything. The options for variations are limitless, but here are a few of my favorites.

• Cheesy: Add shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or parmesan to the batter for a gooey, cheesy twist.
• Meaty: Mix in cooked bacon bits or cubed ham for a savory, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with potatoes.
• Herby: Add rosemary, thyme, parsley, or any of your favorite fresh herbs for more fragrant, more flavorful waffles.
• Sweet: Swap out regular mashed potatoes for mashed sweet potatoes for slightly sweeter, equally delicious waffles.
• Spicy: Add a little bit of diced jalapeños, chili flakes, or hot sauce to the batter for a kick of heat.
• Veggie-packed: Fold in finely chopped vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for added color, flavor, and texture.

Expert Tips

• Make the batter smooth: Make sure the potatoes are mashed completely smooth. A chunky batter doesn’t work as well in the waffle iron.
• Make the perfect batter: The texture of the waffles will depend on your leftover mashed potatoes. Add 1 more egg if the batter seems dry. If it’s too wet or not holding together, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until you’re happy with the consistency.
• Use more leftovers: More leftovers after the holidays? Add them to the waffle batter to avoid food waste. A scoop of leftover turkey, holiday stuffing, or cooked vegetables all work great.
• Make them your own: These waffles are amazing with a few mix-ins and plenty of toppings, and you can make them as light or as hearty as you prefer. Garnish or pair them with absolutely anything you like!
• Serve to a crowd: Potato waffles make a great morning after meal for out-of-town guests. I serve them warm with individual bowls on the side for topping options so that people can enjoy their waffles however they like. It’s like a potato bar but with waffles.

How to Store This Recipe

Transfer leftover mashed potato waffles into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Defrost frozen waffles in the fridge overnight before reheating.

To reheat, pop the waffles in your toaster for a few minutes. You can also arrange them on a lined baking sheet and reheat in the oven at 350F until warmed through.

What to Serve with Potato Waffles

Potato waffles have a neutral savory taste that’s why they go well with just about anything you can think of. Try different mix-ins and toppings each time you make them – it’s like serving a new dish every time! I like these for breakfast with crispy bacon and eggs or topped with avocado slices and some crumbly cheese, depending on my mood.

Chicken and waffles make a great lunch combo (don’t forget the gravy!) and waffles served with smoked salmon and topped with a dollop of cream cheese makes a tasty dinner.

If you make these potato waffles, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!