Spinach & Cheese Potato Patties

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🥔 Spinach & Cheese Potato Patties

These golden Spinach & Cheese Potato Patties are crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, and packed with simple, comforting ingredients. They’re perfect for breakfast, lunch, a light dinner, or even as a delicious snack. The image shows thick, round patties made with mashed potatoes, spinach, egg, and cheese, then pan-fried until beautifully golden.

Ingredients

For the Patties

  • 4 medium potatoes, about 600–700 g
  • 1½ cups finely chopped fresh spinach
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2–3 tbsp all-purpose flour or breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp salt, or to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter, for cooking

Optional

  • ¼ cup finely chopped green onions
  • ¼ tsp chili flakes for a little heat
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese for an extra creamy center

Instructions

1. Cook the Potatoes

Wash and peel the potatoes, then cut them into evenly sized chunks. Place them in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil.

Cook for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the potatoes are completely tender when pierced with a fork.

Drain them very well and allow them to sit for a few minutes so excess moisture can evaporate.

This step is important because watery potatoes can make the patties difficult to shape and cause them to fall apart during cooking.

Transfer the warm potatoes to a large bowl and mash until smooth. Avoid over-mashing, as a little texture gives the patties a better homemade consistency.

2. Prepare the Spinach

While the potatoes are cooking, wash the spinach and chop it finely.

Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add a tiny amount of olive oil. Add the spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until wilted.

Remove from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.

If the spinach releases a lot of liquid, squeeze or drain it well. Removing excess moisture will help create firm patties.

3. Make the Mixture

Add the cooked spinach to the mashed potatoes.

Then add:

  • Egg
  • Mozzarella
  • Parmesan
  • Garlic
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning
  • Paprika
  • Parsley or cilantro

Mix everything together until well combined.

Add 2 tablespoons of flour or breadcrumbs and mix again. The mixture should be soft and moist but firm enough to hold its shape.

If it feels too wet or sticky, add another tablespoon of flour or breadcrumbs.

Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning if needed.

4. Shape the Patties

Lightly grease your hands with a little olive oil.

Take approximately ⅓ cup of the mixture and roll it gently into a ball. Flatten it into a thick round patty.

For the appearance shown in the picture, make the patties approximately ¾-inch thick.

Place the shaped patties on a plate or tray lined with parchment paper.

Continue until all the mixture has been used. Depending on the size, you should get approximately 8–10 patties.

For easier handling, refrigerate the shaped patties for 15–20 minutes before cooking. This helps them firm up and makes flipping easier.

5. Pan-Fry the Patties

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter.

Once hot, carefully place the potato patties into the pan, leaving a little space between them.

Cook for approximately 3–5 minutes on the first side, without moving them too much.

Once the bottom is golden brown and crisp, carefully flip them using a spatula.

Cook the second side for another 3–5 minutes, until golden and crispy.

If your patties are quite thick, reduce the heat slightly after browning so the center has enough time to become hot and the cheese melts beautifully.

Transfer the cooked patties to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Repeat with the remaining patties.

🔥 For Extra-Crispy Patties

If you want them especially crispy like the patties in the photo, lightly coat each patty in breadcrumbs before frying.

You can also spray or brush them lightly with olive oil and cook them in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 12–15 minutes, turning halfway through.

For oven baking, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly brush with olive oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

🧀 Cheese Options

Mozzarella gives these patties a delicious stretchy texture, while Parmesan adds a salty, savory flavor.

You can also experiment with:

  • Cheddar
  • Monterey Jack
  • Gouda
  • Feta
  • Colby cheese

For a Mediterranean-inspired version, try using feta + mozzarella and adding a little oregano and fresh parsley.

🌿 Spinach Variations

Fresh spinach works beautifully, but frozen spinach can also be used.

If using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out as much water as possible before adding it to the potato mixture.

You can also add other finely chopped vegetables such as:

  • Green onions
  • Grated zucchini
  • Finely grated carrot
  • Bell peppers
  • Mushrooms

Just make sure vegetables are cooked and excess moisture is removed.

🍽️ How to Serve

These patties are delicious served hot with a simple dipping sauce.

Try them with:

Garlic Yogurt Dip:
Mix Greek yogurt with minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and chopped parsley.

Creamy Herb Sauce:
Combine Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs.

Spicy Sauce:
Mix Greek yogurt with a little hot sauce and paprika.

They also make a wonderful breakfast served alongside eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocado.

For lunch or dinner, serve them with a large green salad or roasted vegetables.

💡 Recipe Tips

Use dry potatoes: The drier the mashed potatoes, the easier the patties will be to shape.

Don’t skip the egg: It helps bind the ingredients together.

Don’t add too much flour: Too much flour can make the patties dense instead of soft and fluffy.

Chill before frying: If the mixture feels soft, refrigerate the shaped patties before cooking.

Use medium heat: High heat can brown the outside too quickly while leaving the center cold.

Flip carefully: Wait until the first side is properly golden and firm before turning.

Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook in batches if necessary so every patty gets an even golden crust.

🥔 Make-Ahead & Storage

You can prepare the patties several hours ahead and keep them covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

Cooked patties can be refrigerated in an airtight container for approximately 3 days.

To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat, an oven, or an air fryer. The air fryer is particularly good for bringing back their crispy exterior.

You can also freeze uncooked shaped patties. Place them on a tray and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Separate layers with parchment paper.

Servings

Makes: 8–10 patties
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30–35 minutes
Total time: About 50–55 minutes

Nutritional Note

Nutrition will vary depending on the size of the potatoes, amount of cheese, flour, and cooking oil used. These patties provide carbohydrates from potatoes, protein from the egg and cheese, and nutrients from spinach.

⭐ Why You’ll Love Them

✔ Crispy outside, soft inside
✔ Cheesy and flavorful
✔ Great way to enjoy spinach
✔ Easy, budget-friendly ingredients
✔ Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or snacks
✔ Can be pan-fried, baked, or air-fried
✔ Family-friendly and easy to customize

Serving idea: Stack the golden patties on a plate and serve with a bowl of creamy garlic yogurt dip. The combination of crispy potatoes, melted cheese, and savory spinach is absolutely irresistible! 🥔🧀🌿

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