How to make Norwegian Lefse - Recipe Diaries (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Jenna · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread that is typically made from potatoes, flour, butter, and milk. It is a staple food in Norway, and it is usually eaten during the holiday season. There are many ways to eat lefse, and it can be served plain or with a variety of toppings.

This post makes me kind of sad looking at the pictures of my Grandma since she is no longer living. I miss her, especially around this time of year when she would always make this. 🙁

Do you love recipes from the Midwest region? Try my Knoephla Soup Recipe or Pan Seared Lemon Pepper Walleye recipe.

Jump to:
  • What is Lefse?
  • Best Potatoes for Lefse
  • How to make Lefse (Step by Step)
  • Tools needed to make Lefse
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Other Recipes To Try
  • How to make Lefse

What is Lefse?

Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread made from cooked potatoes. Up in the Midwest, we like to serve the lefse with softened butter. If you want to get really fancy spread the butter on top of the lefse and sprinkle it with cinnamon and sugar. It's so delicious and makes a good dessert after eating all the turkey on Thanksgiving day.

Best Potatoes for Lefse

Russet potatoes are the best type of potatoes to use for making lefse. Do not overcook them.

How to make Lefse (Step by Step)

We all took turns rolling out the dough and then it gets cooked on a big lefse skillet. Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread made with cooked potatoes and it gets cooked on a large flat griddle. If you don't have a special lefse making griddle any griddle will work just as well.

This is the part where you have the dough combined and it's ready to be cooked on the griddle. Making lefse is very similar to the process of making pancakes or any other type of flatbread.

How to make Norwegian Lefse - Recipe Diaries (2)

You need a rolling pin with a fancy cloth attached to it. See link above. This cloth gives the lefse that famous texture. A circular rolling board to roll out the flour, lots of flour, and a lefse griddle.

How to make Norwegian Lefse - Recipe Diaries (3)

Form into ball shape with your hands

How to make Norwegian Lefse - Recipe Diaries (4)

Press into patties on the tray

How to make Norwegian Lefse - Recipe Diaries (5)

Pick the lefse dough out with these fancy sticks. Sometimes the dough will stick to the board to transfer it to the griddle, that is why a lot of flour is required.

How to make Norwegian Lefse - Recipe Diaries (6)

This is my grandma below and Uncle Mark above with his awesome ninja skills. Lefse is just like making a pancake. The edges start to bubble when it is ready to flip on a flat griddle. You also use those fancy sticks to flip the lefse on the grill.

This is the final product. Transfer it to some parchment paper and let it cool off. Usually, we like lefse with lots of butter and sugar. Some people like to stuff leftovers from Thanksgiving inside and fold it up like a burrito. Those people are weird. J/k. 🙂

Amazon has all the tools you need to make lefse. If you click on the link below and purchase a product from one of the links, I may earn a small commission from them. There's even a lefse making kit that comes complete with all the tools you need. If you try to make lefse without any of these tools it will be a disaster the first time. 🙂

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze lefse?

Tofreezethelefse, lay out flat on top of parchment or wax paper in layers. Store in freezer bags large enough to store the lefse. The lefse lasts up to 3 months in the freezer. Wrapping the bags in foilcanalso help prevent freezer burn flavor. When you are ready to use thefrozen lefse, thaw in fridge.

How is Lefse Eaten?

Lefse is just like a pancake or flatbread. You can do whatever you like or add whatever you like to it. Lefse also makes a good wrap or burrito for any Thanksgiving leftovers.

What else can I use if don't have a potato ricer?

If you don't have a potato ricer try one of these handy kitchen tools.
Food Mill. This is best for light and fluffy mashed potatoes. ...
Food Processor
Fork
Hand Masher.
Hand Mixer
Stand Mixer

What is traditionally put on lefse?

Some traditional toppings for lefse include butter, cinnamon, sugar, and lingonberry jam. Many people also enjoy lefse with savory toppings such as meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Ultimately, the choice of toppings for lefse is up to personal preference, and there are many delicious ways to enjoy this traditional Norwegian treat.

Other Recipes To Try

  • Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars
  • Weight Watchers Meatloaf Muffins
  • Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Taco Soup (Low Sodium)
  • Banana Bread Weight Watchers (Low Point)

If you tried this How to Make Lefse any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Follow along on Tiktok @jennarecipediaries

Print

How to make Norwegian Lefse - Recipe Diaries (13)

How to make Lefse

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Jenna
  • Total Time: 36 minute
  • Yield: 42 flatbreads 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread made from cooked potatoes. Up in the Midwest, we like to serve the lefse with softened butter.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 7 cups of potatoes, peeled
  • ¼ cup cream
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 cups of flour

Instructions

  1. Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes; drain.
  2. Run hot potatoes through a potato ricer into a large bowl. Beat butter, cream, salt, and sugar into riced potatoes. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Stir flour into potato mixture to form a soft dough. Pull off pieces of dough and form into walnut-sized balls. Lightly flour a clean cloth and roll out lefse balls to ⅛-inch thick.
  4. Heat a griddle over high heat.
  5. Cook lefse on the hot griddle until brown blisters form, about 1 minute per side. Place cooked lefse on a damp towel to cool slightly. Repeat with remaining dough, stacking them on top of each other as they're cooked; cover until ready to serve
  • Prep Time: 5 min
  • Cook Time: 5 - 10 min
  • Category: Medium
  • Method: Combine
  • Cuisine: American

More Sides

  • Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
  • Air Fryer Cheddar Biscuits
  • Cheesy Hash Brown Casserole
  • Paula Deen Corn Casserole

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenna says

    Thank you! It's my Grandma's recipe. 🙂

  2. Judy says

    Made lefse using your recipe, but no special equipment. They turned out great.

  3. Jenna says

    yes

  4. Ellen says

    Is it 7 cups of the riced potatoes?

« Older Comments

Leave a Reply

How to make Norwegian Lefse - Recipe Diaries (2024)

FAQs

What is Norwegian lefse made of? ›

Lefse (Norwegian pronunciation: [ˈlɛ́fsə̌]) is a traditional soft Norwegian flatbread. It is made with riced potatoes, can include all purpose (wheat) flour, and includes butter, and milk, cream, or lard. It is cooked on a large, flat griddle.

How do you keep lefse from drying out? ›

Lefse should be refrigerated or frozen. Our lefse is made with no preservatives, so it can take a week or so in the fridge. In the refrigerator, it needs to stay in its sealed package or it will dry out. If you don't plan on eating it right away, toss it in the freezer.

What does lefse mean in English? ›

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

What can you use as a substitute for a lefse stick? ›

Lefse Stick (substitute long wooden handle of spoon or even better, an unused wooden paint can stirrer). Grooved Lefse Rolling Pin (regular pin can work).

What is lefse called in Norway? ›

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

How is lefse eaten in Norway? ›

Norwegians would also often eat lefse rolled up with butter, with many also adding cinnamon and sugar. Many people would also add different types of jam, cheese or other ingredients to make their preferred lefse. A lot of people eat lefse with savoury foods like ham, cheese, beef and much more, rolling it up as a wrap.

Can you leave lefse out overnight? ›

Caring for and Preparing Lefse

We recommend refrigeration for no longer than 2 weeks. When defrosting Freddy's, it's best to let it thaw overnight at room temperature.

What do you eat with lefse? ›

Easy ways to eat lefse
  1. Spread with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar. ...
  2. Spread with mustard and wrap around Polish sausage, brats, or hot dogs.
  3. Spread with butter or cream cheese and wrap around leftover chicken, turkey, pot roast, or your favorite deli meat.
Dec 3, 2009

Can I use a regular rolling pin for lefse? ›

If you don't use a pastry cloth, the lefse will stick, and you will wonder why you ever tried this ! @#$ project. Corrugated rolling pin, preferably with cloth cover. If you try a regular rolling pin, your lefse will stick, and again you'll wonder why !

What is the best way to eat lefse? ›

Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar and roll lefse to eat. This is the traditional Norwegian way to serve and enjoy lefse. Raid your pantry and refrigerator. Fill small bowls or ramekins with whatever jams, jellies and spreads you already have.

Is lefse Swedish or Norwegian? ›

Lefse plays an important role in Scandinavian tradition. During the holiday season no meal is complete without a plate of buttered lefse. Also, find the best recipes for many of your favorite Norwegian foods here at Lefse Time.

What are some interesting facts about lefse? ›

The first lefse in Norway didn't contain potatoes, it was made from flour. Women would travel from house to house, village to village to make lefse to last the winter months. The flour lefse would cook up like a cracker and be able to last through the season.

What kind of rolling pin do you use for lefse? ›

A good rolling setup: Pastry rolling board with cover and a ridged rolling pin with a rolling pin cover — because, you can't get paper thin lefse without these tools.

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.

Can you use a tortilla press for lefse? ›

I use a tortilla press to make the lefse. It is so much easier than hand rolling with a rolling pin. I use a cast iron pan to make the lefse.

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.

Why is Norwegian bread so good? ›

Many Norwegian pieces of bread are made with whole grain, which is why they are highly beneficial because of the following reasons: It contains more fiber, which helps you feel full longer and causes you to eat less than usual. It stabilizes your blood sugar levels which makes you stay more energetic in a day.

What is the most popular cookie in Norway? ›

Favorite Norwegian Cookie Survey Results
  • 74.54% – Krumkaker / Krumkake / Norwegian cone cookies (1,300)
  • 4.24% – Fattigmann / Poor man's cookies (74)
  • 3.84% – Sandkaker / Sandbakkels (67)
  • 3.1% – Rosetter / Rosettes (54)
  • 3.1% – Smultringer / Doughnuts (54)
  • 2.98% – Kransekake / Almond ring cake (52)
Jan 12, 2023

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ms. Lucile Johns

Last Updated:

Views: 6607

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ms. Lucile Johns

Birthday: 1999-11-16

Address: Suite 237 56046 Walsh Coves, West Enid, VT 46557

Phone: +59115435987187

Job: Education Supervisor

Hobby: Genealogy, Stone skipping, Skydiving, Nordic skating, Couponing, Coloring, Gardening

Introduction: My name is Ms. Lucile Johns, I am a successful, friendly, friendly, homely, adventurous, handsome, delightful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.