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    Home » Recipes » Sandwiches

    Maakouda - Moroccan Potato Cakes

    Published: May 23, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    A bowl of potato cakes with text overlay
    A bowl of fried potato cakes. Text overlay says Moroccan Potato Cakes.
    sandwiches on a plate with text overlay that says Maakouda Sandwich

    Maakouda Batata are delicious little Moroccan potato cakes. They're a traditional Moroccan street food and are served on their own or in sandwiches.

    maakouda moroccan potato cakes in a dish next to a napkin.

    These potato cakes are a typical Moroccan street food. They’re served on their own as a snack or in a baguette with salad. They also make a great side dish to the veggie tagine.

    I’ve deep fried them, which isn’t something that I do often, but it really does get them nice and crispy on the outside and soft and warm inside. You could also try them cooked in an air fryer or baked in the oven.

    They’re a great way to use up leftover mashed potato.

    what is maakouda?

    Maakouda is a fried mashed potato dumpling / cake / fritter / ball that's traditional to Morocco and other North African countries.

    It's also known as maaqouda, maqouda or makouda and is a popular potato recipe not just in Morocco, but also Algeria and Tunisia.

    In makouda, mashed potato is mixed with flour and herbs, then rolled into balls and fried. The results are beautifully crispy outsides with soft, flavorful and delicious soft potato insides. Bliss.

    It's eaten as an appetizer, snack, side, or, commonly, in a sandwich with lettuce and tomato in a baguette.

    Be sure to check out other delicious Moroccan street foods.

    Baguette filled with salad and maakouda potato cakes.

    why you'll love makouda batata

    These little fried potato balls are absolutely delicious. Here's why you'll love them!

    • They're a great way to use up leftover mashed potato.
    • A delicious Moroccan street food.
    • They're versatile: enjoy in a sandwich, as an appetizer, party food, snack or side dish.
    • They're super easy to make! Just mix mashed spuds and spices, roll into balls, dust in flour and fry.
    • If you don't want to traditionally deep fry them, then you can bake or air fry them.
    • It's impossible to eat Maakouda Batata without singing Hakuna Matata (from Lion King).

    cook's tips

    • Try them baked in the oven at 400F / 200C for 25 minutes or until crispy and golden.
    • They're also great in the air fryer. Just air fry until golden and turn them frequently if your air fryer doesn't have a moving paddle.
    • I love serving them with a little spicy harissa paste mixed into yogurt for a quick dip.
    • Try them in a sandwich, as an appetizer, side dish or party food.
    Fried potato cakes in a baguette with lettuce and tomato, with a bite out.

    serving suggestions

    • Typically, maakouda is served in a crusty bread (such as baguette), with lettuce and tomato.
    • Perfect as an appetizer.
    • Try it with a little Harissa spice paste stirred into yogurt for a quick dip.
    • Serve with my Moroccan Chickpea Carrot Fritters.
    • Enjoy alongside a Vegetable Tagine.

    dietary variations

    • Gluten-free: You can easily make maa'kouda gluten-free by using gluten-free flour.
    • Vegan: Make this vegan by using flax eggs. Simply mix 1 teaspoon ground flax in 3 teaspoon water and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Use it in the recipe where the egg is called for.
    • Oil-free: You can make this recipe oil-free by cooking the makouda balls in an air fryer with no oil. Be sure to turn them often.

    potato recipes

    Looking for more tasty potato recipes? Try these!

    • Bombay Aloo
    • Sweet Potato Frittata
    • Sweet Potato Cakes
    • Parmentier Potatoes
    • Baby Hasselback Potatoes

    how to make makouda

    These potato cakes are really easy to make. Traditionally, they're deep-fried, but you can also make them in an air fryer or bake them in the oven.

    Follow these step by step photos for perfect fried potato cakes.

    Then, scroll down to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and method.

    a bowl of mashed potato, spices and herbs.

    Add the mashed potatoes to a mixing bowl, along with the egg, garlic, parsley, turmeric, cumin, salt and pepper.

    A bowl of maakouda potato mix

    Stir it all together to combine.

    A bowl of maakouda potato mix, with potato cakes on a board.

    Shape heaped tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture into balls, then flatten slightly.

    Maakouda potato cakes on a board, with others in bowls.

    Dip each potato ball into the flour and turn to coat.

    A plate of potato cakes dusted in flour.

    Repeat until all the potato balls are coated in flour. (note: gluten-free flour can be used if required)

    Makouda potato cakes cooking in hot oil.

    Heat 2 inches of in a deep pan to 350F / 180C, then use a slotted spoon to add a few maakouda potato cakes at a time and fry until golden (it will take about 3-4 minutes).

    A maakouda potato cake on a spoon being lifted out of hot oil

    Remove the fried potato balls from the oil with a large slotted spoon and transfer to a plate with kitchen paper (or a clean tea towel) to drain.

    moroccan potato balls on a tea towel.

    Repeat until all the potato cakes are cooked.

    Moroccan Makouda sandwich cut in half on metal plate.

    get the maakouda Moroccan potato cakes recipe

    maakouda moroccan potato cakes in a dish next to a napkin.

    Maakouda - Moroccan Potato Cakes

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    These potato cakes are a typical Moroccan street food. They’re served on their own as a snack or in a baguette with salad. They also make a great side dish to the veggie tagine.
    5 from 6 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 22 mins
    Course Appetizer, Sandwich
    Cuisine Moroccan
    Servings 6
    Calories 135 kcal

    Equipment

    • mixing bowl
    • Stock Pot
    • Metal slotted spoon

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cups (500g) mashed potato
    • 1 egg beaten
    • 2 cloves of garlic crushed
    • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
    • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ⅛ teaspoon each salt and pepper
    • ⅔ cup (70g) plain flour
    • Vegetable oil for frying

    Instructions
     

    • Add the mashed potatoes to a medium bowl. Stir in the egg, garlic, parsley, turmeric, cumin, salt and pepper and mix well.
    • Place the flour into a small bowl. Shape heaped tablespoonfuls of the potato mixture into balls, then flatten slightly. Dip each ball into the flour and toss to coat. Set aside and repeat with the remaining mixture.
    • Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350F / 180C, then use a slotted spoon to add a few potato cakes at a time and fry until golden (approx 3-4 minutes). Remove from oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate with kitchen paper to drain. Repeat until all the potato cakes are cooked.
    • Serve warm as an appetizer or side dish. Traditionally served in French bread or baguette, with lettuce, tomato and spicy tomato sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    • Gluten-free: You can easily make maa'kouda gluten-free by using gluten-free flour.
    • Vegan: Make this vegan by using flax eggs. Simply mix 1 teaspoon ground flax in 3 teaspoon water and let it sit for 5 minutes to thicken. Use it in the recipe where the egg is called for.
    • Try them baked in the oven at 400F / 200C for 25 minutes or until crispy and golden.
    • They're also great in the air fryer. Just air fry until golden and turn them frequently if your air fryer doesn't have a moving paddle.
    • I love serving them with a little spicy harissa paste mixed into yogurt for a quick dip.
    • Try them in a sandwich, as an appetizer, side dish or party food.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 4gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 32mgPotassium: 245mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 40IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sujatha Muralidhar

      May 25, 2020 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      Such a easy recipe, I made it and my family were happy. I baked the potato instead of frying them. Baked version also turned out good.

      Reply
    2. Rhonda Albom

      May 23, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      I loved just about everything I ate when we were in Morocco. These look great and are filled with the spices and flavors I remember. I can't wait to try them.

      Reply
    3. Annie @ Annie's Noms

      May 23, 2020 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      I've never heard of maakouda before, but they look fantastic! And I love anything with mashed potato, these look so tasty and moreish! I know they would disappear very quickly in this house!

      Reply
    4. Charla

      May 23, 2020 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      This is my first time hearing of Maakouda looks amazing and reminds me very much of Irish Potato Cakes.

      Reply
    5. Amanda

      May 23, 2020 at 10:29 am

      5 stars
      What a great way to use up mashed potato by having this dish another day. They look delicious!

      Reply

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    Popular recipes

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    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
    • Mini Baked Potatoes
    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Healthy Recipes

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    • Easy Healthy Cabbage Soup
    • Easy Vegan Ramen (15 minutes)
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    My cookbook

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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