Appetizer · Side Dish · European · Irish ·

Tangy Irish Colcannon Balls with Buttered Cabbage

Name: Tangy Irish Colcannon Balls with Buttered Cabbage
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered; 1 cup kale, finely chopped; 1/2 cup spring onions, chopped; 2 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons cream; Salt and pepper, to taste; 1 lemon, zested; 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated; 1 cup breadcrumbs; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 2 eggs, beaten; 1/2 cup flour; 1 small head of cabbage, sliced; 3 tablespoons butter; Salt and pepper, to taste; Vegetable oil, for frying

These delectable balls combine the flavors of traditional colcannon with a tangy zest and are accompanied by a rich buttered cabbage side.

4.8(267 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 9, 2025

Tangy Irish Colcannon Balls with Buttered Cabbage — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Colcannon Balls

For the Coating

For the Buttered Cabbage

For the Cooking Oil

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 392 kcal
Protein: 10.5 g
Carbs: 46.3 g
Fat: 19.3 g
Fiber: 3.8 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2354 kcal
Protein: 62.7 g
Carbs: 277.5 g
Fat: 115.7 g
Fiber: 22.8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 medium potatoes peeled and quartered	400	10	90	0	7
1 cup kale finely chopped	35	3	7	0.5	1
1/2 cup spring onions chopped	16	0.5	4	0	0.5
2 tablespoons butter	200	0	0	22	0
3 tablespoons cream	90	0	1	9	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
1 lemon zested	12	0	4	0	1
1/4 cup cheddar cheese grated	110	7	1	9	0
1 cup breadcrumbs	400	14	80	4	5
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper	3	0.2	0.5	0.2	0.3
2 eggs beaten	140	12	2	10	0
1/2 cup flour	228	6	48	1	2
1 small head of cabbage sliced	180	10	40	0	6
3 tablespoons butter	300	0	0	33	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Vegetable oil for frying	240	0	0	27	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Colcannon Mixture

1
Boil potatoes
Boil potatoes until tender, then drain and mash them with butter and cream.
2
Mix in greens and seasonings
Stir in kale, spring onions, lemon zest, cheese, salt, and pepper, mixing until well combined.
3
Chill mixture
Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the mixture.
Tip: Ensure the potato mixture is fully cooled before shaping into balls. Pro Tip: Use a cookie scoop to evenly portion the mixture for uniform balls.

Preparing the Cabbage

1
Melt butter
Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
2
Cook cabbage
Add cabbage, cooking until soft and tender, about 10 minutes.
3
Season cabbage
Season with salt and pepper; keep warm on low heat.

How to Make Tangy Irish Colcannon Balls with Buttered Cabbage

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Form the Balls
Shape the cooled potato mixture into round balls.
2
Coat the Balls
Dredge each ball in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and cover with the spiced breadcrumbs.
3
Fry the Balls
Heat oil in a large pan and fry the balls until golden brown and crispy.