Maakouda - Moroccan Style Potato Fritters

When I think of Moroccan street food, the first thing that comes to mind is Maakouda which is a Morocca-style potato fritter. In the streets of Morocco, you can find this stuffed in between some bread and with some added toppings. It's the perfect appetizer for your table and extra delicious during Ramadan.

Whether you serve them during Ramadan, as part of your iftar, or as a comforting evening snack, Maakouda never fails to impress with its crispy exterior and soft, flavorful interior.

Maakouda is essentially a spiced, mashed potato fritter that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Often flavored with garlic, cumin, cilantro and parsley, these fritters are a perfect balance of savory spices. They’re deep-fried to perfection, resulting in a satisfying crunch that’s impossible to resist

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
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Ingredients

With a relatively simple list of ingredients and minimal preparation time, Maakouda is a perfect appetizer for anyone who wants to bring a taste of Morocco into their kitchen without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Potatoes
Cilantro
Parsely
Spices
Egg
Garlic
Flour
Oil

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Traditionally Maakouda is a fried potato fritter but if you are trying to avoid fried food this can also be made in the air fryer and still achieve that crunchy outer layer.

Step 1: Boil your potates until fork tender and strain from the water.

Step 2: Mash your potatoes and mix in all your spiced and herbs.

Step 3: Form your potato mixture into patties and cover in flour.

Step 4: Fry on both sides until golden brown.

Tip: You can dip the potato fritters in egg wash before covering them in flour for a better adherence.

Substitutions

If you are avoiding fried foods, you can skip the frying and air fry the maakouda. Just spray with a neutral oil and place in the air fryer on 380F for 6 minutes on each side.

If you are gluten-free sub the flour for almond flour or gluten-free flour and follow the rest of the steps for the recipe.

Variations to Try

Spicy Maakouda: Add a finely chopped chili pepper or harissa to the potato mixture if you want a little heat. You can also serve these fritters with a side of spicy tomato sauce or harissa for a bold flavor.
Cheese Maakouda: For a cheesy twist, add some grated cheese to the mixture or you can stuff the potato patties with cheese in the center before frying.

More Recipes

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Appetizers and Sides, Recipes, Sides

Maakouda - Potato Fritter

Maakouda is a perfectly spiced Moroccan style potato fritter that can be enjoy for any occasion or meal and has been a staple street food in Morocco for centuries. Simple ingredients make this an easy recipe for you to try!

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yields: 10-12 servings

Ingredients

4 large potatoes (peeled and cut into chunks)
2 -3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley and cilantro, chopped
1 large egg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for a gluten-free option)
Vegetable oil for frying (about 2-3 cups)

Instructions

1. Place the peeled and cut potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until the potatoes are soft and can easily be pierced with a fork (about 15-20 minutes). Once cooked, drain the potatoes and return them to the pot. Mash them well until smooth, with no lumps.

2. Once the mashed potatoes are cool enough to handle, add the garlic, ground cumin, ground turmeric, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley/cilantro to the mashed potatoes. Mix everything until well combined.

3. Add the egg and stir to combine. The mixture should be firm enough to hold its shape. If it’s too wet, add a little more flour until you achieve the right consistency. Shape the potato mixture into small patties or rounds, about 2-3 inches in diameter. You can use your hands to form them, or use a spoon to scoop the mixture and shape it into rounds.

4. In a deep frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You’ll want enough oil to submerge the fritters about halfway. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the Maakouda patties to the pan. Fry them in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the fritters for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

5. Serve your Maakouda hot with a side of spicy harissa, yogurt dip, or a fresh salad. They’re a perfect appetizer to your main meal.