How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (2024)

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Learn how to make lefse, a traditional Norwegian flatbread—made with potatoes, grilled, and served with butter and sugar. Learn how to make lefse with 2 different recipes—traditional and instant.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (2)

Welcome! This post is the heart of why we started this blog. To share family recipes and traditions. Norwegian baking is a tradition in our family.And lefse is a must-have at our holiday table. At the very least, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Typically paired with homemade buns.

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I’ve included two different lefse recipes in this post. I’m showing the instant version of making the dough. The process for rolling and grilling the lefse is the same for both the traditional and instant recipes.

Supplies for Lefse

Here are the supplies you need to make lefse.

  • Lefse griddle
  • Rolling pin & cover (we use a tube sock! yes, it’s clean 🙂 hah!)
  • Lefse turning stick
  • Pastry board & cover

You can find a lefse starter kit from Bethany Housewares, which is pretty awesome to have all the supplies bundled together and a great gift idea.

Ingredients (Instant Lefse Recipe)

  • 5 cups + 1/4 – 1/2 cup Hungry Jack Potato Flakes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 10oz 7up (cold!)
  • 2 1/4 cups water (cold!)
  • 1 cup evaporated milk (cold!)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

How to Make Lefse

You’ll want to set aside an afternoon or evening to make lefse. We usually get together with other family members for a “lefse party.” And sometimes we’ll make both the traditional and instant versions.

Making the Dough (Instant Recipe)

Here’s how to make lefse dough using the instant recipe with potato flakes. Then, we’ll show you how to roll and grill it, which can be used for both recipes.

Step 1 | Mix all ingredients except for flour

In a large bowl, add the potato flakes, salt, sugar, 7up, water, evaporated milk, and oil. Make sure the 7up, water, and evaporated milk are cold.

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Mix well.

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Step 2 | Add flour

Add the all-purpose flour.

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Step 3 | Mix and knead

Mix and then knead until combined.

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Rolling & Grilling Tips (Traditional & Instant Recipe)

This section covers rolling and grilling, which you can follow for either lefse recipe.

Step 4 | roll into balls and chill

Roll the dough into balls and chill in the refrigerator.

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Step 5 | preheat griddle

Preheat the lefse griddle to 350 degrees. (It may depend on your grill.) Pull only one ball of dough from the refrigerator at a time.

Step 6 | Prepare pastry board

Make sure the surface of the pastry board is well-floured.

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Step 7 | form dough

Then, form your dough as pictured.

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Step 8 | Roll dough to about 12 inches in diameter

Roll the dough to about 12 inches in diameter using a rolling pin. (The more you roll, the greater the chance you’ll have a sticky spot on your pastry board. Make sure to flour the spot well, and you may need to pick up the dough as you roll and re-flour.)

Note: roll into a circle as much as possible. We have improved our skills a lot since this picture was taken!

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Step 9 | Pick up using lefse stick

Using the lefse stick, carefully pick up the rolled lefse dough as shown.

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Step 10 | Place on lefse grill

Carefully place the lefse on the grill and slowly turn the stick to unravel the other half.

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Step 11 | Grill the first side

Grill on one side for a few minutes.

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The dough will start to bubble.

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Step 12 | Flip and cook the second side

Flip and cook the other side for a few minutes.

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Step 13 | Repeat with the remaining dough

Repeat until you have a beautiful stack of lefse like this:

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Step 14 | Top with butter and sugar, roll, and enjoy!

Slice the rounds in half before serving. Spread with butter and sugar.

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Roll up and enjoy!

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Please stop by and say hi in the comments. Have you made lefse? Lefse pros, what tips do you have that I didn’t mention?

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Lazy Lefse with Instant Potatoes and 7UP

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An easy way to make lefse with instant potato flakes. Just as yummy. Spread with butter, sugar, roll-up and enjoy!

  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Yield: 1820 rounds 1x

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 5 cups + 1/4 – 1/2 cup Hungry Jack Potato Flakes
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 10oz 7up (cold!)
  • 2 1/4 cups water (cold!)
  • 1 cup evaporated milk (cold!)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the potato flakes, salt, sugar, 7up, water, evaporated milk, and oil.
  2. Add 2 cups of flour.
  3. Mix and knead.
  4. Roll the dough into balls.
  5. Chill in the refrigerator.
  6. Preheat the lefse griddle to 350 degrees. (may depend on your grill)
  7. Pull only one ball of dough from the refrigerator at a time.
  8. On a floured pastry board, roll the dough to about 12 inches in diameter.
  9. Place the rolled dough on the griddle.
  10. The dough will start to bubble.
  11. Flip and cook the other side.
  12. Repeat.
  13. When you’re ready to serve — spread with butter, and sugar, roll up and enjoy!

Notes

  • Make sure your 7Up and evaporated milk are cold.
  • Supplies: lefse griddle, rolling pin w/cover, lefse turning stick, pastry board w/cover
  • Author: Kelsey Restemayer
  • Category: Breads
  • Cuisine: Norwegian

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Traditional Norwegian Lefse

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A traditional lefse recipe, Norwegian potato flat bread. Spread with butter, sugar, roll-up and enjoy.

  • Total Time: approx 4 hours

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 5 cups mashed potatoes (~2.5 pounds)
  • 1 cup cream
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. Boil 2.5 pounds of potatoes until they fall apart and yield 5 cups.
  2. Drain the potatoes, you don’t want any water.
  3. Mash the potatoes with a beater.
  4. Add cream, shortening, sugar, and salt to hot potatoes.
  5. Cool thoroughly, and then add the flour.
  6. Mix and knead.
  7. Roll the dough into balls.
  8. Chill in the refrigerator.
  9. Preheat the lefse griddle to 350 degrees. (may depend on your grill)
  10. Pull only one ball of dough from the refrigerator at a time.
  11. On a floured pastry board, roll the dough to about 12 inches in diameter.
  12. Place the rolled dough on the griddle.
  13. The dough will start to bubble.
  14. Flip and cook the other side.
  15. Repeat.
  16. When you’re ready to serve — spread with butter, and sugar, roll up and enjoy!

Notes

  • The time will depend on your lefse making skills 😉
  • Supplies: lefse griddle, rolling pin w/cover, lefse turning stick, pastry board w/cover
  • Author: Kelsey Restemayer
  • Category: Breads
  • Cuisine: Norwegian

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Kelsey Restemayer

Hello, I'm Kelsey Restemayer, author & founder of Northern Yum. Since 2016 I've been making and sharing delicious recipes here as a food blogger and recipe developer. My mission is to create a collection of simple recipes for busy families (like mine!) to enjoy together. Welcome!

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (2024)

FAQs

How was lefse traditionally made? ›

Lefse is a soft Norwegian flatbread, made using traditional recipes and baking methods. Lefse is usually made with potatoes, flour, butter, and milk, cream, or lard. Traditionally, lefse is cooked on a flat griddle, with particular wooden utensils used in the process. Lefse has its roots in Viking food traditions.

What is the traditional way to eat lefse? ›

Spead softened butter over a lefse (be generous with the butter). Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar and roll lefse to eat. This is the traditional Norwegian way to serve and enjoy lefse.

Why is my lefse falling apart? ›

Mostly you want to be sure that your lefse edges are not getting rolled too thin, and then try using a bit less flour on your pastry board near where the finished edges of your lefse fall.

Do you eat lefse warm or cold? ›

There's always a potato or two hanging around the kitchen. You will love the simplicity and versatility of this recipe. Whether you are serving these lefse warm or cooled, I guarantee they will be eaten in a flash. For another Norwegian treat, try my rosette cookies.

What does lefse mean in English? ›

ˈlefsə plural lefsen. -sən. or lefses. : a large thin potato pancake served buttered and folded.

What is klenning? ›

Klenning – The Trøndelag region's version of sweet lefse with butter, cinnamon and sugar. Kling – The name for sweet lefse in Buskerud, Eastern Norway.

Does lefse go bad? ›

Our lefse does not contain a lot of preservatives. Once thawed out, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator about 7 days, less if not refrigerated. HOW LONG DOES THE LEFSE LAST IN THE FREEZER? Lefse will last in the freezer for several months.

Is lefse a Christmas tradition? ›

As Christmas is quickly approaching, now is the time when family traditions are at large. One of my family's traditions around Thanksgiving and Christmas time is the making and eating of Lefse.

What are the best toppings for lefse? ›

Although you can serve lefse with savory toppings, I love to serve it for breakfast or brunch with butter, jam, fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, sugar, and cinnamon." The main difference between lefse and typical flatbreads is the addition of potatoes as a base ingredient.

Why is my lefse chewy? ›

Repeat until the red lettering of the pastry cloth is faintly visible through the lefse. If you roll it too thin, it may tear. If you tear the lefse and have to re-roll it, it will be chewy, instead of soft and tender.

Why is my lefse crispy? ›

A: Crispy edges are almost always the result of the edges of the lefse being rolled to thin. You want to roll a uniformly thick sheet of lefse, right to the edges. The tip? Pick up your rolling pin when you get to the edge, don't roll past.

Why is my lefse dry? ›

If the dough feels too sticky add a little more flour, if it is too dry or is cracking when pressed add another couple pats of butter. Taste the Lefse dough as you go*, it should taste like potatoes not flour.

How to eat lefse for dinner? ›

The typical way of eating lefse is with a spread of butter, sugar and sometimes cinnamon. But did you know that during Christmas, some Norwegians eat their lefse with meat in it? This tradition is especially strong in the eastern parts of Norway, in the region today called Viken.

Is lefse just a tortilla? ›

It looks like a flour tortilla. It rolls like a flour tortilla. It folds like a flour tortilla. But it's lefse (pronounced LEF-sah), a Norwegian flatbread often made with mashed potatoes.

What is the difference between lefse and Lomper? ›

Lomper (also known as potetkaker) are considered to be a small variety of potato-based lefse. Today, lomper are widely served with savory or sweet fillings. In particular, you'll find pølse i lompe or “a hot dog wrapped in a lompe” all throughout the country.

What is the origin of lutefisk? ›

No one is quite sure where and when lutefisk originated. Both Swedes and Norwegians claim it was invented in their country. A common legend has it that Viking fishermen hung their cod to dry on tall birch racks.

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