Matafan-Fluffy Mashed Potato Pancakes are from the region Pays de Savoie in France. They come together really easily with leftover mashed potatoes. A cross between a pancake and blin, these pancakes are light as a feather and delicious with a side salad.
How could it be that I had some mashed potatoes conveniently leftover to make these delectable Matafan? I have a thing for mashed potatoes. I would happily eat them as a meal. I always get seconds and thirds of stuffing and mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.
I try not to make them too often as they are difficult to resist. Having rekindled my craving for fluffy mashed potatoes last week, I had to make more earlier this week with our meal. There was about 2 cups leftover and I couldn’t resist trying Dorie’s Matafan recipe. Whipped egg whites makes them light as a feather and I will be making mashed potatoes again very soon just so I can have more Matafan.
What are matafan fluffy mashed potato pancakes?
Matafan are a staple in France in Pays de Savoie. They are a cross between a pancake and blini and are served as a side dish, starter, or snack. In Savoyard, the word Matafan means to calm hunger. Let me tell you, they calmed my hunger when I had this plate of them the other day for lunch.
What can you eat with matafan?
They paired perfectly with my salad of mixed organic greens and dried cranberries. I couldn’t wait for the kids to come home for school and make this for them as an afterschool snack.
How do you make matafan fluffy mashed potato pancakes?
The first step is to gather your ingredients. I made mine using leftover mashed potatoes. The cold mashed potatoes get combined with the eggs, egg yolks, flour and warm milk (I used coconut to stay dairy free).
Once you combine that mixture, you whip the egg whites up.
The next step after you whip the egg whites is to combine the egg whites into the potato mixture. Gently fold in the egg whites a little at time to create a fluffy batter.
The final step is to add the salt and pepper to your taste. Heat up the skillet and add butter (or margarine or even coconut oil to keep it dairy free). Begin to cook up the pancakes on the hot skillet.
You can see a difference in the ones that were originally cooked up in butter. They did brown more than the ones I did with coconut oil.
Serve with your favorite salad and enjoy!
Recipe source Dorie Greenspan from Around my French Table (and incredible book I highly recommend buying!)
Matafan-Fluffy Mashed Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
- Kosher or coarse salt for baking the potatoes
- 2 large Idaho russet potatoes (1½ pounds total), scrubbed and dried
- 4 large eggs; 2 separated
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup hot whole milk I used coconut milk (keeping it dairy free)
- Salt and freshly ground white pepper
- Butter for cooking the pancakes (you could use your favorite margarine to keep it dairy free or also coconut oil)
Instructions
- If you don’t have leftover mashed potatoes (I did it with 2 cups of leftover), roast your potatoes.
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with kosher salt in the area you’ll place the potatoes (not the whole baking sheet). Place the potatoes on top of the salt.
- Bake the potatoes for about 1.5 hours. Remove the potatoes and let them cool until you can handle them on a rack. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the potato flesh.
- If you have a potato ricer, run it through the ricer into a bowl (or a strainer).
- Using a wooden spoon, beat in 2 whole eggs and 2 whole egg yolks (one at a time).
- Stir in 1/4 cup of the flour. Next, stir in all the warm milk. Finally, stir in the other 1/4 cup of the flour.
- Season the potato batter with salt and pepper (to your taste); set aside.
- Beat the 2 egg whites with a pinch of salt. The best way is with an electric mixer, but you could also do by hand. The egg whites should be firm with glossy peaks.
- Gently begin to stir in a little bit of the egg whites into the potato batter. Continue on gently folding in the rest of egg whites into the potato batter. Cover batter until ready to use and keep in the fridge.
- When ready to cook the potato pancakes, place large skillet on medium heat. Add 2 teaspoons butter (or margarine if dairy-free, or coconut oil). When it is heated up, add 1/4 cup batter portions to the hot skillet.
- If making blini size portions, add 2 tablespoons batter.
- Use a spatula to smooth around the top of the batter and make sure they are nice and round. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sides are firm enough, and it will start to bubble.
- Flip over the cakes and continue cooking until it is is nicely browned on the bottom.
- Transfer the potato pancakes as they are ready to a serving plate and cover loosely with foil paper to keep them warm. Continue on with the rest of the batter. You could could cook a few at time depending on large your pan is and how big you make the pancakes.
- You could also keep them warm on a foil lined baking sheet in a warm oven (about 200F).
- Serve with salad.
claire says
i have been a terrible blogger buddy- but i am back again with merry mondays! hope you will join and hope all is well with you!
Foodiva says
I have just made these today for FFWD and they were delicious! I have a weakness for mashed potatoes, too...isn't that terrible? No, that's not terrible at all really, lol. 🙂
Angie's Recipes says
Those pancakes look really fluffy and soft. A perfect lunch with some salad.
Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite says
These were so good, weren't they? I ate them all by themselves, straight out of the pan!
The Mom Chef says
Wow, oh wow. I actually have leftover mashed potatoes in the fridge right now too. I don't do the Dorie thing but I do have the cookbook on the shelf. Those look so gorgeous I think I'm going to have to pull it out and make me some pancakes.
Cher says
These were very good - we were eating them straight up and with several different toppings.
Adriana says
Your batter looks perfectly light! The crisped up edges are my favorite. 😉
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
I love these!!!! I have got to make them for my husband.
PS. I love your new site look!
amanda @ fake ginger says
Oh yum, I bet they were delicious with bites of salad mixed in! Looks great!
Frankly Entertaining says
I might try this again when I have mashed potatoes in the fridge, but these just seemed too bland for the amount of time put in. Maybe if I some other flavors.
Ei says
I was wondering how they'd work with pre-made mashed potatoes. I am very pleased to hear that they came out well, because I'm much more inclined to make them again if I don't have to go through the whole baking/mashing through a strainer ordeal.
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
Wow - now that is a transformation of leftovers! I am not a big fan of mashed potatoes, but I think I would love these! Great job!
Yuri - Chef Pandita says
Seeing all your photos and posts has left me hungry for Matafan. I miss FFWD, wish I had the time to join again. Meanwhile I'll read your reviews and admire your photos 🙂
Linda says
It was delightful to watch the transformation of the batter once we fold in the egg whites. It turned so airy! Glad you enjoyed this recipe. So much more convenient when you already have mashed potatoes to start with.
Elin says
Lora...your Matafan fluffy mashed potatoes looks good with the organic salad! I gave tis a miss but looking at yours makes me hungry 🙂
Lizzy says
I'm so glad you're back with us, Lora! Your pancakes look perfect...they're making me want some more 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Lizzy says
PS...LOVE your new header!!!
Pachecopatty says
Wow, yum, can't wait to make these pancakes! I love your beautiful header too;-)
Kim Bee says
Love the new header, super pretty. These pancakes sure look delicious. I love the picture of the two bowls side by side. Have a wonderful weekend.
Sis. Boom. says
I will now always make sure that I make too much mashed potatoes any time I make them. These look just wonderful! Great job!
Belle (tinkeringinthekitchen) says
what a delicious sounding (and looking!) recipe! Im going to grab a coffee and read more, so glad i found your blog 🙂 Belle
Paula says
I'd make extra mashed potatoes too just to have some to make these matafans. Your salad looks pretty tempting too!
Robin says
These are definitely a good reason to make extra mashed potatoes!
Anonymous says
Starting with already mashed potatoes would certainly make this easier - love your shortcut and it looks like they turned out great.
Jamie says
Wow I have never heard of these but I want! Yes this does make the best lunch just with a salad! And why not put the dried cranberries in the pancakes?
Samantha says
These look delicious!! I'll never look at mashed potatoes the same!
Christy says
Yum! Lucky you to have the mashed potatoes on hand! Great reason to make a little extra mashed potatoes.