Crispy Mackerel Potato Cakes (Printable)

Flaky mackerel and creamy potatoes shaped and fried to golden perfection with fresh herbs and lemon zest.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Seafood

01 - 7 oz smoked mackerel fillets, skin removed and flaked

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 lb 2 oz potatoes, peeled and cubed
03 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced
04 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
05 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Pantry & Spices

06 - 1 tbsp capers, chopped (optional)
07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Coating

09 - 1 large egg
10 - 2.8 oz breadcrumbs, preferably Panko

→ Frying

11 - 2 to 3 tbsp vegetable oil

# Directions:

01 - Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Drain and mash until smooth. Let cool slightly.
02 - In a bowl, mix the mashed potatoes with flaked mackerel, spring onions, parsley, lemon zest, capers if using, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a patty.
04 - Beat the egg in a shallow bowl and place the breadcrumbs on a separate plate.
05 - Dip each patty into the beaten egg, then press into the breadcrumbs to coat evenly.
06 - Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Fry the patties in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
07 - Serve the cakes warm, accompanied by lemon wedges or a light salad.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The crispy coating keeps every bite satisfyingly crunchy, even after a second helping.
  • These cakes sneak extra veggies onto the plate, and nobody at my table ever complains.
02 -
  • If the mashed potatoes are too warm when mixing, the cakes can fall apart in the pan – patience pays off here.
  • Swapping in Panko breadcrumbs made the coating dramatically crispier than regular ones, and now I never skip them.
03 -
  • Lightly oil your hands for neater patty shaping and fewer sticky fingers.
  • Adding extra lemon zest to the breadcrumb mix gives surprising freshness.
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