Loaded Bacon and Crispy Onion Potato Cakes

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds russet Idaho® potatoes, peeled (optional) and diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup Fresh Gourmet® Crispy Onions, divided
• ¾ cup Hormel® Bacon Bits, divided
• Oil, for shallow frying
• 1 tablespoon chives, chopped, to garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring the potatoes in salted water to a boil and cook just until potatoes are tender but not falling apart.
2. Drain well and mash with the back of a spoon or potato masher.
3. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, butter, and flour. Mix well.
4. Add in ¼ cup of the crispy onions and ¼ cup bacon bits. Mix until well combined.
5. Divide potato mixture into 6-8 equal balls and pat into rounds, about ½˝ thick.
6. In a shallow bowl or on a plate, mix remaining crispy onions and bacon bits. Lightly coat each side of potato cakes.
7. Heat a deep non-stick frying pan with about ¼-½˝ oil over medium heat. Gently shallow fry the potato cakes, 2 at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes each side until light brown and heated through. Keep warm.
8. Garnish with extra crispy onions, bacon bits, and fresh chives. 

Notes:

If preferred, the potato cakes can be baked on a parchment-lined baking pan in a 400°F oven for about 10–12 minutes or until golden brown.