This tender, tasty and traditional Norwegian flatbread is the perfect treat. Lifted off a hot griddle, spread with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, it's the festive snack you'll be dreaming of all year round - Norwegian Potato Lefse Recipe.
Earlier this year I traipsed through Norway and Iceland in search of the Northern Lights and delicious Scandinavian food.
The Northern Lights nearly crushed my spirit with their hide and seek act...but I discovered the centuries-old tradition of lefse-making in Norway, so my adventure was worth every shivering moment!
Types of Norwegian Lefse:
Based on my travels in Norway, conversations with bakeries and grandmas, as well as the Norsk Folkemuseum lefse makers outside of Oslo, here is what I can tell you about some of the most popular styles of lefse around the country.
(Thanks also to Visit Norway for their comprehensive guide, as well!)
Keep in mind most villages and regions had their own unique style and serving preferences, and individual families held their lefse secrets close to the vest!
Potetlefse – Lefse made with potatoes. The most common style of lefse for Norwegian Americans and the recipe we're making today!
Vestlandslefse – A sweet lefse from Fjord Norway with butter, sugar and cinnamon.
Møsbrømlefse – A lefse from Northern Norway, served with a traditional brown cheese.
Hardangerlefse or Tykklefse – A thicker version of the sweet lefse with butter, cinnamon and sugar. (This is the style of lefse made at the Norsk Folkemuseum - if you head to their website they even share their recipe card. Check out the photos from my visit to the museum earlier this year!)
Kjøttlefse – a folded over lefse filled with meat then griddled, similar to a quesadilla.
Krinalefse – Originally from Northern Norway, this lefse has a serrated pattern made using a specially constructed krina tool. This lefse is broiled and served with butter, sugar and cinnamon.
Gnikkalefse – A lefse variety that is fried with a light coating made using skimmed milk, potato flour, wheat flour and salt.
Ingredients needed for this recipe:
Before we get to the step by step directions, a few notes about the ingredients:
Potatoes: Some folks swear by russet potatoes, but I most often use Yukon gold, or a similar equivalent. I prefer their balanced texture and flavor. Stay away from red potatoes, as their waxiness won't take well to making a solid dough.
All purpose flour: not too much flour required for this easy recipe, but you'll need a good amount for rolling, so be sure to have at least 3 cups on hand.
Full ingredients and measurements included in the printable recipe card below.
Equipment Needed to Make Lefse:
I've made delicious lefse with literally zero special equipment. Just a mini-rolling pin, a well-floured counter and a cast iron skillet with a fish spatula for turning. So I can say with confidence that it's possible to make mouthwatering lefse without buying a cupboard full of new tools!
That said, your lefse-making-life will be a lot easier with a few bits and bobs of equipment.
Ridged Rolling Pin - leaves distinctive marks on the flatbread and helps create the thinnest possible flatbread. I have this exact brand and it works beautifully.
Cloth Rolling Pin Cover - keeps your dough from sticking onto the rolling pin and makes cleaning those ridges a breeze! Use them when rolling out any type of cookie.
Pastry Cloth - wrap it around a pastry board or a cutting board to keep the dough from sticking. This pastry cloth includes measurements on the cloth so you can see when you've reached your 10-inch round without breaking out a ruler.
Lefse Turning Stick - this wooden spatula (which reminds me of an oversized paint stirring stick) makes moving the lefse to the grill and turning lefse easier, especially if you're using a large lefse grill. I'm still using a combination of my hands to move the lefse to the skillet and then an offset spatula or fish spatula for turning. So I consider this optional if you have access to a thin spatula.
Potato Ricer or Food Mill - I've made lefse using a potato masher, and I found it impossible to get a truly buttery smooth mixture without a food mill. I've linked two of my favorite options here. If your ricer or food mill has a range of sizes, choose the smallest attachment to ensure the smoothest potato mixture.
Lefse Kit - if you're committed to your new Life of Lefse, spring for the whole package. I've linked to accessory kits that include lefse specific tools, and you can even include a full electric lefse griddle! Get the bundle of lefse goodies on Amazon and you'll be the envy of Norwegian grandmothers everywhere!
How to Make Lefse: Step by Step Instructions
Making lefse is a simple process, but for best results, it requires overnight resting. So the day before you make lefse, start the process by preparing your potatoes.
DAY 1:
1. Prep potatoes
To begin, peel potatoes. Cut each in quarters or eighths to be about the same size. Cover with salted water and boil until tender and pierced easily with a fork. Drain and return the potatoes to the hot pot, allowing them to steam off for a minute or two.
Quickly rice your potatoes or use a food mill to smooth the hot mixture directly into a large bowl.
Add diced butter to the hot potato mixture and stir to melt and combine.
Once cooled, cover and refrigerate overnight.
DAY 2:
2. Mix potatoes with all ingredients
The next day, take your potatoes out of the refrigerator. Use a fork or spatula to break up the mixture into small chunks. Then add ⅓ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 cup flour. Stir to combine fully.
Then use knead the dough with the heal of your hand until it comes together into a smooth ball. This will only take 45-60 seconds.
Depending on the texture of your dough, you may add up to another ½ cup flour and up to 3 additional tablespoons of heavy cream. You’re looking for a soft but cohesive dough texture.
3. Roll out lefse balls
Use ¼ cup measuring cup to shape about 14-16 smooth balls. Flatten them lightly but be sure the edges are clean and smooth so you have minimal cracking when rolling. Set your dough balls aside to rest in the refrigerator while you heat your pan.
I have a 12-inch skillet, and these ¼ cup patties roll out very thin to around 10-inches. If you’re looking for the same thinness with a larger 14-inch diameter, use a ⅓ cup measure.
Heat your skillet over medium-high heat - you’re looking for a 400-450℉ on the pan, so let it heat for 3-4 minutes while you roll the first round. (Keep the remaining dough balls in the refrigerator until ready to roll each.)
Using a well-floured pastry cloth and a ridged (corrugated) rolling pin, roll your dough balls one at a time. If using a regular rolling pin, the lefse won’t roll as thinly as a ridged rolling pin will allow. But the lovely Norwegian pancake will still be delicious, so roll on!
If you're looking for a perfect edge on your lefse, take a page from Chuck Ilheln, winner of the National Lefse Cook-off. Just use a pizza cutter to trim up the edges before adding your dough to the lefse griddle. If it's good enough for the lefse champion, it's good enough for us!
4. Grill lefse in skillet
Once rolled, use a lefse stick or a couple of offset spatulas to transfer the dough round to the hot skillet. Let the lefse cook for about 45-60 seconds, until golden brown spots and bubbles appear on the grilled side.
Flip and grill another 30-45 seconds, until the same coloring appears. Remove to a dry towel and cover while grilling the next lefse round. Use a dry paper towel to brush out the skillet of any excess flour residue between each lefse grilling.
6. Roll and enjoy lefse
If eating immediately, spread the warm lefse with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll and eat like a tortilla.
If making to store and serve later, let the lefse cool a bit, then roll or fold into quarters and store in a resealable bag or airtight container. Store lefse in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and in the freezer for up to 6 months.
FAQ's and Serving Suggestions:
Using a pastry cloth for rolling and a rolling pin cover will help keep the lefse from sticking. Since the dough starts with very little flour, generously flour your board / cloth and pin before rolling.
The earliest lefse recipes were made during Viking times using just flour, water and salt. The flatbread could be dried and stored for months, offering a stable nutrition source. As potatoes became more readily available, this perishable starchy ingredient became included in some lefse recipes, as another way to preserve the food. The most common type of lefse made by Norwegian Americans today is a soft flatbread, served hot off the griddle with a brush of butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
I found at least a dozen different varieties of lefse - from dried crackers to flatbreads to soft wraps - in the grocery stores we visited around Norway. It was more difficult to find fresh lefse in a bakery or restaurant. In the US, making lefse for the holidays is a family tradition among many Norwegian Americans. You can also find it in larger Norwegian community restaurants, particularly in the upper Midwest.
Norwegian lefse is made using potato and a bit of flour and rolled very thin before grilling. A traditional French crepe is made into a thin batter that is poured and spread on a griddle, then filled or wrapped around sweet or savory ingredients. Lefse is heartier than a crepe, but more delicate than a flour tortilla. It's tender and warm and can be served sweet or savory, like so many homemade flatbreads made and served around the world.
Lefse is Norwegian. Lompe is a similar flatbread more commonly made and eaten in Sweden. Lompe are often used to wrap hotdogs and in savory meals instead of the Norwegian style sweetened butter and cinnamon sugar roll.
Using a nonstick pan or electric skillet, a lefse griddle or a well-seasoned cast iron skillet should prevent the lefse from sticking. Use a dry paper towel to brush out the skillet of any excess flour residue between each lefse grilling, as well.
Traditionally, potato lefse is served with a brush of butter and a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon. Like French crepes, these flatbreads can also be served with fruit jams, Nutella, or in savory appetizers or meals wrapped around smoked salmon and cream cheese or ham.
Serve lefse warm, room temperature or cold. Most people prefer hot lefse straight off the skillet. You can (nearly) recreate this magic by heating your leftover lefse in the microwave for a few seconds.
I recommend using fresh potatoes when making lefse. Because leftover potatoes will have unknown rations of cream, butter, salt and pepper, it will be hard to adjust for the proper moisture balance. If you're looking for ways to use up leftover mashed potatoes, try these Crispy Cheesy Mashed Potato Latkes!
Lefse is most delicious the moment it comes off the griddle. Spread on softened butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, then roll it up and enjoy. If you've eaten your fill and there's more lefse to store, let the lefse breads cool, then fold into quarters and keep in an airtight container or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze, fold lefse into quarters, wrap in plastic wrap and keep in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 6 months.
I have never used instant potatoes for lefse, only real potatoes. So I can't say I recommend it. But I did find a recipe using Hungry Jack if you want to give it a try!
Homemade Norwegian Potato Lefse Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 14-16 1x
Ingredients
2 ½ pounds russet or Yukon gold potatoes (4-5 cups once peeled, boiled and riced)
4 tablespoons butter
⅓-½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1-1 ½ cups all purpose flour
Instructions
Making lefse is a simple process, but for best results, it requires overnight resting. So the day before you make lefse, start the process by preparing your potatoes.
Day 1:
1. To begin, peel potatoes. Cut each in half or thirds to be about the same size. Cover with salted water and boil until tender and pierced easily with a fork. Drain and return the potatoes to the hot pot, allowing them to steam off for a minute or two.
3. Quickly rice your potatoes or use a food mill to smooth the mixture into a mixing bowl. Add diced butter to the hot potato mixture and stir to melt and combine. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Day 2:
5. The next day, take your cooled potatoes out of the refrigerator. Use a fork or spatula to break up the mixture into smaller pieces. Then add ⅓ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 cup flour. Stir to combine fully, then use your hands to knead the dough with the heel of your hand until it comes together into a smooth ball. This will only take 45-60 seconds. Depending on the texture of your dough, you may add up to another ½ cup flour and / or up to 3 additional tablespoons of heavy cream. You’re looking for a soft but cohesive potato dough texture.
6. Use ¼ cup measuring cup to shape about 14-16 smooth balls. Flatten them lightly but be sure the edges are clean and smooth so you have minimal cracking when rolling. Set your dough balls aside to rest in the refrigerator while you heat your pan. I have a 12-inch skillet, and these ¼ cup patties roll out very thin to around 10-inches. If you’re looking for the same thinness with a larger 14-inch diameter, use a ⅓ cup measure.
7. Heat your skillet over medium high heat. You’re looking for a 400-450℉ on the pan, so let it heat for 3-4 minutes while you roll the first round. (Keep the remaining dough balls in the refrigerator until ready to roll each.) Using a well-floured pastry cloth and a ridged rolling pin, roll your lefse dough balls one at a time. If using a regular rolling pin, the lefse won’t roll as thinly as a ridged rolling pin will allow. But the Norwegian flatbread will still be delicious, so roll on!
8. If you're looking for a perfect edge on your lefse, take a page from Chuck Ilheln, winner of the National Lefse Cook-off. Just use a pizza cutter to trim up the edges before adding your dough to the lefse griddle. If it's good enough for the lefse champion, it's good enough for us!
9. Once rolled, use a lefse stick or a couple of offset spatulas to transfer the lefse dough round to the hot skillet. Let the lefse cook for 45-60 seconds, until golden brown bubbly spots appear on the grilled side. Flip and grill another 30-45 seconds on the second side, until the same coloring appears. Remove to a towel and cover while grilling the next lefse. Use dry paper towels to wipe out your skillet or pan between each lefse grilling.
10. If eating immediately, spread the warm lefse with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Roll and eat like a tortilla.
11. If making to store and serve later, let the lefse cool a bit, then roll or fold into quarters and store in a resealable bag or airtight container. Lefse can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Notes
You'll have the most success using the 2-day process. If you're new to lefse-making, give yourself the best chance of success.
Be sure to use a potato ricer or food mill for the smoothest dough. Using a potato masher doesn't get the potatoes fine enough for a consistent dough.
Keep your lefse dough rounds refrigerated and remove just one round at a time to roll and griddle.
Flour your pastry cloth / board, your rolling pin and your lefse dough round on both sides for each lefse. We add very little flour to the dough, which gives us freedom to use more flour when rolling to keep our tender dough from sticking.
If your dough ball cracks around the edges when rolling, or you can't quite get the perfect round, just use a pizza cutter to trim up the edges before adding your dough to the lefse griddle. I learned this trick from Chuck Ilheln, winner of the National Lefse Cook-off. Genius!
Use dry paper towels to clean excess flour or dough spots off your griddle or skillet between each lefse cooking.
- Prep Time: 120
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: Norwegian
Janie
Perfection! Just how I remember them. Great recipe.
Christina Jolam
Great to hear, Janie! These lefse always make me happy. So glad they did the same for you. Thanks for coming back to leave a positive review!