Tipperary-Style Potato and Onion Boxty Pancakes

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Traditional Irish potato pancakes made from grated and mashed potatoes with caramelized onions, perfect for a hearty breakfast or side dish. This irish-inspired breakfast (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Irish cuisine 250 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Grate 3 large peeled russet potatoes using the large holes of a box grater. Place grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. Reserve the liquid.
  2. Step 2: Pour the reserved potato liquid into a bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes until the starch settles at the bottom. Carefully pour off the liquid, retaining the starch sediment.
  3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 large beaten egg, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and the reserved potato starch sediment. Mix until a thick batter forms.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely diced yellow onion and sauté for 6-7 minutes until soft and golden brown.
  5. Step 5: Add the caramelized onions to the potato batter and stir to combine.
  6. Step 6: Add remaining 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet and heat over medium. Drop 1/4 cup portions of the batter into the skillet, flattening gently with a spatula.
  7. Step 7: Cook each pancake for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, adjusting heat as needed to prevent burning.
  8. Step 8: Transfer cooked boxty pancakes to a warm plate and serve immediately with butter or sour cream.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Tipperary-Style Potato and Onion Boxty Pancakes take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Tipperary-Style Potato and Onion Boxty Pancakes?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Tipperary-Style Potato and Onion Boxty Pancakes?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Tipperary-Style Potato and Onion Boxty Pancakes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Tipperary-Style Potato and Onion Boxty Pancakes vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes