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

Jump to Recipe

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.

Find What You’re Looking for:

  • Full Recipe Card
  • Ingredient Details / Supplies
  • Step-by-Step with Photos

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.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (3)

Mix well.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (4)

Step 2 | Add flour

Add the all-purpose flour.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (5)

Step 3 | Mix and knead

Mix and then knead until combined.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (6)

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.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (7)

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.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (8)

Step 7 | form dough

Then, form your dough as pictured.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (9)

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!

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (10)

Step 9 | Pick up using lefse stick

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

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (11)
How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (12)

Step 10 | Place on lefse grill

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

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (13)

Step 11 | Grill the first side

Grill on one side for a few minutes.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (14)

The dough will start to bubble.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (15)

Step 12 | Flip and cook the second side

Flip and cook the other side for a few minutes.

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (16)

Step 13 | Repeat with the remaining dough

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

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (17)

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

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

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (18)

Roll up and enjoy!

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (19)

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?

Print

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (20)

Lazy Lefse with Instant Potatoes and 7UP

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

No reviews

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

Recipe Card powered byHow to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (21)

Print

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (22)

Traditional Norwegian Lefse

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

No reviews

Save Recipe

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

Recipe Card powered byHow to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (23)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Have You Tried This Recipe? Please rate it in the comments and let us know your thoughts!

More Delicious Recipes

Pin for later

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (24)

How to Make Lefse with 2 Recipes

How to Make Lefse with 2 Different Recipes (Traditional & Instant) (25)

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.

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 does lefse mean in English? ›

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

What is lefse in English? ›

a round Norwegian flatbread resembling a tortilla, made with mashed potatoes and flour.

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.

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 goes good on lefse? ›

Butter, sugar — enjoy!

Add sugar or cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat. While in my family lefse was always a cinnamon-sugar thing, in Norway lefse is often served with savory fillings, like smoked salmon and cream cheese, diced onion and sour cream, or cured meat and mustard.

What do Norwegians eat with lefse? ›

Lefse is a type of Norwegian flatbread that is often (but not always) made with potatoes, flour, butter, and milk. It has a similar texture to a thin pancake and is often eaten with butter, sugar, cinnamon or brown cheese on.

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.

Do you put lefse in the fridge? ›

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.

How healthy is lefse? ›

On to the proteins, Lefse offers 4.37g per 100g, essential for building and repairing tissues in the body. It also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. With 172.0mg of sodium, it supports electrolyte balance and nerve function, while the 271.0mg of potassium can contribute to cardiovascular health.

Do they eat lefse in Sweden? ›

Her family is Swedish, and many Scandinavian foods are enjoyed by our family each year, including søtsuppe (Scandinavian sweet soup), lutfisk (a dried fish), köttbullar (Swedish meatballs) and of course lefse. Lefse is a flatbread made from flour and potatoes, and is a little thicker than a tortilla.

Is it spelled lefse or lefsa? ›

Lefsa is a traditional Norwegian flatbread made with mashed potatoes, cream, flour, and sugar. Lefsa are usually reserved for holiday meals when they are served warm with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar for a sweet treat. They are also delicious rolled up with a juicy pickled herring.

What is another name for lefse? ›

Here, lefse is also often called lemse. The Norwegian baking traditions also include a great variety of buns – called boller – and bread, our favourite food.

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).

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 6359

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.