Grilled Cheesy Potato Sandwich is a simple and super delicious dish, which even the little ones at home will love, ideal to serve as a main dish, together with a fresh salad, or to eat as a light and satisfying bite for a quick dinner in front of the TV.
This is a clever recipe, also great for recycling boiled potatoes left over from the previous evening, which will take you just a few minutes. The result will be breaded morsels, to be grilled until golden on a hot griddle and enjoyed immediately, still hot and fragrant. Crispy on the outside, soft and melting at the centre, these sandwiches can also be brought to the table as an appetizer or eaten at brunch, together with other savory treats and a glass of prosecco.
Grilled Cheesy Potato Sandwich, or "toast di patate," are a creative and delicious twist on traditional sandwiches. Instead of bread, this recipe uses mashed potatoes mixed with eggs and flour, pan-fried to golden perfection, and filled with your favorite ingredients like cheese or ham. Originating in Italy, these toasts have become a popular snack for their comforting, crispy exterior and soft, flavorful center. Their versatility and ease of preparation make them a beloved dish, perfect for breakfast or a quick meal, and they showcase the Italian knack for turning humble ingredients into something extraordinary.
The best potatoes to use for these sandwiches are starchy varieties like russet or Yukon gold. They mash easily and hold their shape well, creating a sturdy yet fluffy base for the sandwich. Avoid waxy potatoes, as they can become too dense.
You can use various cheeses for these sandwiches, such as mozzarella, provolone, gouda, or cheddar. Each brings a unique flavor and meltability, with mozzarella offering a creamy texture and gouda or cheddar adding a richer, sharper taste. Experiment to find your favorite!
According to personal taste, you can vary the filling by combining prosciutto, salami and dry mozzarella for pizza, fontina and bologna, but also grated zucchini and scamorza, for a version suitable for vegetarian guests. If you like, you can flavor the dough with a handful of grated parmesan and your favorite spices, such as sweet paprika, curry or turmeric, and then add a few chopped rosemary needles or dried oregano instead of chives.
To make these potato sandwiches vegan, substitute the eggs with a flaxseed or chia seed mixture (1 tablespoon of seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg). Use plant-based cheese or omit it, and fry the sandwiches in a neutral oil instead of butter for a fully vegan version.
The sandwiches might be falling apart if the potato mixture is too wet or not properly bound. Ensure you've used the right amount of flour and egg (or flaxseed mixture for a vegan version) to help hold everything together. Additionally, pressing them gently while frying can help keep their shape.
Here we have opted for a cast iron grill but, alternatively, you can also cook the sandwiches in a pan or in the oven at 392°F (200 °) for 15 minutes or, if you have the tool, you can put them in the air fryer basket: for a light variant, without adding fat.
Yes! Prepare and assemble them, then store in the fridge for up to a day before frying. When you're ready to eat, simply fry them fresh to get that crispy exterior.
Absolutely! Assemble them and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge and then fry until crispy.
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To store leftovers, place the sandwiches in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 2-3 days. Reheat in a pan or oven to restore their crispiness before serving. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy.
Wash the potatoes, immerse them in a pan with cold water and leave them to cook for half an hour from when it starts to boil.
Wash the potatoes, immerse them in a pan with cold water and leave them to cook for half an hour from when it starts to boil.
Once the time has passed, drain them, let them cool and peel them while they're still hot.
Once the time has passed, drain them, let them cool and peel them while they're still hot.
Pass them through a potato masher and collect the puree in a bowl.
Pass them through a potato masher and collect the puree in a bowl.
Add the egg to the mashed potatoes.
Add the egg to the mashed potatoes.
Season with salt and pepper, and flavor with a little chopped chives.
Season with salt and pepper, and flavor with a little chopped chives.
Pour 3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil.
Pour 3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil.
Mix well with a spatula to mix the ingredients.
Mix well with a spatula to mix the ingredients.
Add 3 tbsp of breadcrumbs.
Add 3 tbsp of breadcrumbs.
Mix again with a spatula, until you obtain a smooth mixture.
Mix again with a spatula, until you obtain a smooth mixture.
Take several portions of dough and, with slightly damp hands, form the potato sandwiches into eight flattened squares of the same size, about 1/2 cm thick.
Take several portions of dough and, with slightly damp hands, form the potato sandwiches into eight flattened squares of the same size, about 1/2 cm thick.
Sprinkle a sheet of baking paper with some breadcrumbs.
Sprinkle a sheet of baking paper with some breadcrumbs.
Arrange the prepared sandwiches on the layer of breadcrumbs.
Arrange the prepared sandwiches on the layer of breadcrumbs.
Stuff half of the sandwiches with thinly sliced provola cheese.
Stuff half of the sandwiches with thinly sliced provola cheese.
Add the ham.
Add the ham.
Place the remaining sandwiches halves on top, with the breaded side facing outwards.
Place the remaining sandwiches halves on top, with the breaded side facing outwards.
Seal the edges well with your fingertips.
Seal the edges well with your fingertips.
Brush a grill with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and put it on the fire.
Brush a grill with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and put it on the fire.
When it is very hot, arrange the stuffed sandwiches.
When it is very hot, arrange the stuffed sandwiches.
Let them cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown, turning them gently halfway through cooking with the help of a spatula.
Let them cook for about 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown, turning them gently halfway through cooking with the help of a spatula.
Once ready, arrange the cheesy potato sandwiches on a serving plate, bring to the table and serve. Enjoy!
Once ready, arrange the cheesy potato sandwiches on a serving plate, bring to the table and serve. Enjoy!