lefse (using hungry jack potatoes)

La Crosse, WI
Updated on Nov 24, 2025

Lefse (sounds like "left sa" ) is a Norwegian flat bread made from potatoes. I have been making this recipe for about 35 years. This is very good. Our family eats this every holiday and sometimes for birthdays. People eat it with butter and sugar, butter, jams and jellies,and peanut butter. Traditionally, you spread it with butter (and sprinkle with sugar - optional), then you roll it on an angle forming it into a huge cigar shape. It is eaten as a treat... or as a bread to dip into soups and stews. In the background is a lefse rolling pin (it has grooves).

prep time 20 Min
cook time 20 Min
method ---
yield 12 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups hungry jack potato flakes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup butter (or margarine)
  • 3/4 cup boiling water (appoximateley)
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup flour

How To Make lefse (using hungry jack potatoes)

  • Step 1
    Combine potato flakes and salt in a mixing bowl, set aside.
  • Step 2
    Put the 1/4 cup of butter in a 1-cup measuring cup and add enough water to make a full 1-cup measure. Put this into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add this to the bowl with potato flakes, mix well with a fork. Add milk and mix well. Refrigerate until mix is completely chilled. Do not let the surface get dry.
  • Step 3
    When dough is chilled, work in flour with your hands. Form into balls that are a little larger than a golf ball. Place in a container lined with a towel. refrigerate overnight.
  • Step 4
    The next day, roll out the dough very thin on a cloth covered pastry board dusted with flour. Bake on the Heritage Grill (Lefse Griddle... or any large stove top griddle) that has been preheated to 500 degrees. This recipe makes approximately 12 lefse.
  • Step 5
    *** Use a grooved lefse rolling pin to make the lefse. Roll it out very thin. Cook the lefse until bubbles appear, and when you check the underside... the bubble areas are golden brown or a bit darker. Then flip over and wait for the bubbles again.
  • Step 6
    Cool and wrap in plastic wrap to keep fresh. Refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)
calories: 137kcal, carbohydrates: 21g, cholesterol: 2mg, fat: 5g, fiber: 1g, protein: 3g, saturated fat: 1g, sodium: 263mg, sugar: 2g, unsaturated fat: 3g
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

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