Tortitas de Papa – Mexican Potato Pancake Recipe
The most delicious recipes are made with a few simple ingredients, and these delicious little potato treats are no exception. Today, I will break down the tips and tricks of how to make the best Mexican potato pancakes.
With a crispy exterior and fluffy yet creamy interior, Tortitas de Papa is the perfect treat whether you are entertaining your friends for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. You can even serve these potato pancakes as a snack or appetizer at your next party. For more potato snacks, check out Bolivian Stuffed Potatoes and Easy Creamy Potato Soup.
What Type of Potato to Use?
It has been suggested that russet potatoes are great for Tortitas De Papa because they have a thick skin and easily break down as they cook. Additionally, they are great for mashing since they take on a light and fluffy texture.
However, russet potatoes can dry out very easily and that is why I prefer using yellow potatoes. These potatoes are medium-starch potatoes that can be used for several purposes such as grilling or boiling. They are perfect for this recipe since they do not dry out like russet potatoes. A fascinating article is as well The Best Potato Types For Crispy French Fries.
Tips and Tricks
Follow these tips to ensure you end up with the best Tortitas de Papa.
- Boil potatoes with the peel on to prevent excess moisture absorption and flavor loss.
- Peel potatoes after boiling, not before.
- Boil potatoes until just tender to avoid a gummy texture.
- Use heavy bottom pans for frying Tortitas De Papa for even heat distribution.
- Fry potato pancakes in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure crispiness.
- Test fry one Tortitas De Papa first to troubleshoot any issues with the recipe.
- Taste the dough before frying; adjust salt as needed, considering the saltiness of Queso Fresco.
Here are some additional articles with tips for you to check out: Reheat Twice-Baked Potatoes, Peeling Potatoes Before And After Boiling, or How Long You Need To Boil Potatoes.
How to Store Tortitas De Papa
Do not freeze leftover Tortitas De Papa. Freezing them changes their texture and makes them harder to reheat. If you end up with leftover potato pancakes, you can place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 3 days.
How to Reheat Tortitas De Papa
To reheat Tortitas De Papa, add a few tablespoons of neutral-flavored oil to a pan and set it over medium-high heat. Cook them for 3-5 minutes until they are warm.
You can also reheat Tortitas De Papa in the oven. Simply place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.
Ingredients
The ingredients used to make Tortitas De Papa are very easy to find in your local supermarket or store. The ingredients you need to make this super easy dish are;
Potatoes: I used yellow potatoes but feel free to use russet potatoes or another high-starch potato if you can’t find medium-starch potatoes.
Queso Fresco: Queso fresco has a salty, slightly tangy flavor that adds lots of flavor to these potato pancakes. However, you can also use Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese if you cannot find Queso fresco cheese.
Mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella cheese is an excellent option as a filling if you decide to add some more cheese.
Egg: Egg binds the Tortitas De Papa together.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch also binds the dough together and gives it more body to hold its shape.
Garlic: Garlic adds a robust flavor to the potato pancakes.
Paprika: Paprika adds a mildly spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory flavor of the potato pancakes.
Sunflower Oil: Sunflower oil is a neutral oil and may be hard to source. Therefore, you can use canola, vegetable, or peanut oil to fry the Tortitas De Papa.
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Tortitas De Papa – Mexican Potato Pancake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.1 lb potatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup freshly shredded cheder cheese or Queso Fresco
- 1 large egg
- 5 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 scallions, chopped
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ cup Mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 1 cup sunflower oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Put the potatoes and the 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan. Make sure the water line is 1-inch above the potatoes, and if it is not, add more water until it is.
- Place the potatoes over medium-high heat and cook for 30 minutes or until you can easily insert a knife into the potato without any resistance.
- Drain the potatoes in a colander and let cool for 5 minutes before peeling them with a knife.
- Place the peeled potatoes into a bowl and mash then using a fork or a potato masher until they are smooth.
- Add in the egg and the cheddar cheese and mix until it is all combined.
- Next, add in the minced garlic, shallots, scallions, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and the cornstarch. Mix until the Tortita De Papa mixture is fairly stiff.
- Divide the Tortita De Papa into 10-12 equal portions, then shape each piece into 2-inch balls.
- Then press down the balls to make them a little bit flat and add 1 to 2 slices of mozzarella cheese and flatten the Tortita De Papa into patties that are 1/2-inch in thickness.
- Once the patties are done, place the sunflower oil in a skillet and set it over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, add the Tortita De Papa and cook them 4-5 minutes per side until they are golden brown.
- Drain the Tortita De Papa on a wire rack and then place them onto a serving dish. You can garnish them with crumbled Queso Fresco if desired.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tortitas de pap was delicious easy recipe, I’m trying again 100👍🏽