Cheesy Potato Pancakes

Featured in Sides That Steal the Show.

These Cheesy Potato Pancakes bring together comforting textures and flavors. Start by boiling whole potatoes with their skin on to lock in taste. Mash them with cornstarch and condensed milk to make a soft dough. Each one hides a mozzarella ball dusted with sweet brown sugar, delivering a surprising salty-sweet combo. A hot pan ensures a golden crust and a melted cheese center every time.
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Updated on Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:45:53 GMT
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These Korean-style Potato Cheese Pancakes turn basic stuff into a mouthwatering snack with crunchy edges and melty cheese inside. Every bite gives you that perfect sweet-savory combo, making them great for casual snacking or when you've got company over.

I first tried these at a Korean food truck festival and couldn't wait to make them at home. They've become our go-to weekend treat, and everyone in my family jumps in to help put them together.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Starchy potatoes: Go for Russet or Yukon Gold types
  • Fresh mozzarella: The little balls work perfectly
  • Condensed milk: Brings a touch of sweetness
  • Cornstarch: Gives you that perfect bite
  • Brown sugar: Makes the cheese filling even better
  • Quality oil: Helps get that nice crunch outside
  • Sea salt: Cuts through the sweetness just right

Simple Cooking Instructions

Potato Preparation:
Keep the skins on for boiling. Cook them until soft. Drain them well. Take skins off while hot. Mash them right away. Don't let them cool down.
Dough Creation:
Combine your mashed potatoes with condensed milk. Put in sugar and salt. Mix in cornstarch bit by bit. Feel how thick it is. Add more stuff if needed.
Filling Process:
Split the dough into equal parts. Press each into flat circles. Coat cheese pieces in brown sugar. Put them in the middle. Close up all the edges. Push down gently. Make sure there aren't any gaps.
Cooking Method:
Get your pan nice and hot. Pour in enough oil. Add the pancakes carefully. Keep an eye on the heat. Look for a golden brown color. Only flip them once. Let them drain on paper towels.
Final Assembly:
Let them cool just a bit. Add any toppings you want. Enjoy them while warm. Put out some dipping sauces. Sprinkle on extras if you want.
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easy Potato Cheese Pancakes (Korean Style) | cookwithtaste.com

These pancakes have turned into our Sunday afternoon ritual. When you pull them apart and see those cheese strings stretch, everyone smiles, especially my little one who calls them 'magic pancakes.'

Achieving Gooey Middles

To get that perfectly melty center, you've gotta seal those edges well and watch your heat. I've learned that cooking on medium-low lets the cheese melt all the way through without burning the outside.

Keeping Leftovers

They taste best right away, but you can mix up the dough beforehand and keep it in the fridge with a cover. Just let it warm up to room temp before you shape and cook your pancakes.

Pairing Ideas

We like to dip these in all sorts of sauces - sweet chili, ketchup, or even some maple syrup. When I'm having friends over, I make tiny ones and put them out as finger food.

yummy Potato Cheese Pancakes (Korean Style) Pin it
yummy Potato Cheese Pancakes (Korean Style) | cookwithtaste.com

These Korean Potato Cheese Pancakes have become my go-to comfort dish. That mix of crispy outside, soft inside, and melty cheese creates something really special that brings everyone running to the kitchen, drawn by the amazing smell and waiting for that first awesome bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why boil potatoes with skins on?
It keeps more of the natural flavors and nutrients inside the potato.
→ Can the dough sit overnight?
Sure, just pop it in the fridge and let it warm up before shaping.
→ What does the brown sugar do?
The sugar boosts sweetness, which pairs well with the cheesy center.
→ What kind of potatoes should I use?
Russets are the top pick for their starchy texture.
→ How do I keep cheese from leaking out?
Make sure the dough's fully closed around the cheese ball.

Cheesy Potato Pancakes

Golden potato cakes with a gooey mozzarella center, coated lightly in brown sugar for a cozy balance of salty and sweet. Fried until beautifully crispy.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes
By: Milly

Category: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Fusion with Asian touches

Yield: 8 Servings (Makes 8 pancake-style snacks)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Base from Potatoes

01 1 pound of potatoes, leave the skins on
02 1 tbsp sweetened condensed milk, optional
03 Half a cup of cornstarch
04 2 tbsp of regular white sugar
05 A half-teaspoon of salt

→ Cheesy Filling

06 8 small mozzarella balls or shredded mozzarella
07 2 tbsp of dark brown sugar

→ For Frying and Serving

08 Oil for frying
09 Optional: Sesame seeds to sprinkle
10 Serve with butter or ketchup on top

Instructions

Step 01

In a pot with a lid, boil whole potatoes till they’re soft enough to stick a fork through, roughly 25 minutes.

Step 02

Mash the peeled, cooled potatoes. Stir in sugar, salt, and the condensed milk.

Step 03

Begin adding the cornstarch little by little until the dough gets smooth and easy to handle.

Step 04

Split the dough into 8 pieces. Put one mozzarella ball rolled in sugar in the middle of each, seal up, and flatten slightly.

Step 05

Cook them in hot oil over a medium flame about 4 minutes on each side until they’re golden and crispy.

Step 06

Let them rest on a paper towel to drain, add sesame seeds (if you like), and serve while still warm.

Notes

  1. Cream mixed with sugar works as a replacement for condensed milk.
  2. You can swap out cornstarch for some potato starch.
  3. Adjust cornstarch levels depending on how moist your potatoes are.
  4. Eat 'em when they're freshly hot but not scalding your tongue.

Tools You'll Need

  • Lidded pot for boiling
  • Fork or masher for smashing potatoes
  • Frying pan with a non-stick surface
  • Strainer or colander

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy products (cheese, condensed milk if used)