Pinto Bean Cakes

This easy Pinto Bean Cakes recipe elevates simple brown beans into something special. It’s an impressive way to stretch leftovers into a delicious round two meal.

Ingredients to Make Pinto Bean Cakes Recipe

Pinto beans are standard fare in the South. They’re affordable and filling which is incredibly important to keeping the family satisfied and your grocery budget in check. To make this recipe for bean cakes you’ll need a colander to rinse the beans, a large skillet for frying, measuring cups and spoons, a sharp knife and chopping board, a potato masher, mixing bowls and a large plate of shallow dish for the panko breadcrumbs. Ingredients you’ll need to make Pinto Bean Cakes: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Beans – Fully cooked pinto beans. These can be leftover beans or canned pinto beans.
• Bacon – Gives the bean cakes a smoky flavor.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted butter for richness.
• Fresh Vegetables – Finely diced red bell pepper and green onions amp up the flavor.
• Flour and Eggs – These serve to bind the bean cakes and help them hold together.
• Seasonings – Cajun or Creole seasoning, granulated garlic, garlic salt, cayenne pepper (or paprika) and onion powder.
• Breading – Panko breadcrumbs OR fresh breadcrumbs for the bean mixture and the coating.
• Oil – You can use peanut or vegetable oil for frying the bean cakes.

How to Make the BEST Pinto Bean Cakes Recipe

• Fry the Bacon: Fry the bacon, then drain on paper towels. Crumble and set aside.
• Saute the Vegetables: Cook red bell pepper and green onions in melted butter just until the bell pepper has softened.
• Add Beans and Seasonings: To the skillet add beans, Creole seasoning, granulated garlic, garlic salt and onion powder. Cook just until the beans are heated through.
• Mash the Beans: Remove from heat and mash together using a potato masher or fork. Let cool slightly.
• Add Binder Ingredients: Add panko breadcrumbs, flour, egg and crumbled bacon. Mix well
• Form Bean Mixture into Cakes: Form into 8-10 even bean cakes about 1/2 inch thick. Coat on all sides with reserved panko bread crumbs.
• Fry: Cook beans cakes in oil over medium-high heat perthe recipe until golden brown. If frying in batches, wipe skillet clean between each batch.
• Garnish: Serve warm with topped with sour cream and Southern Chow Chow.

Tips for Making Bean Cakes

• Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need: Large skillet, measuring cups, measuring spoons, large mixing bowl, shallow bowl, spatula and whisk. You can also use a food processor to make the bean mixture.
• Make-Ahead Tip: You can make the pinto bean mixture ahead of time and keep chilled in the refrigerator up to one day in advance. Shape into cakes and coat with breadcrumbs just before frying.
• How to Serve Pinto Bean Cakes: These pinto bean cakes can be served as a side dish, as an entrée or on toasted buns as a sandwich. I like to top them with Southern Chow Chow and sour cream just before serving. You may also like to top them with salsa.

Recipe Variations

• Cajun Seasoning: Different Creole and Cajun seasoning blends have varying amounts of sodium. Adjust the amount of salt used in the recipe depending on the brand you use.
• Adjust the Seasonings: It’s also important to take into consideration how the pinto beans were seasoned. If they were heavily salted, you may want to omit salt or taste and adjust to your personal preference.
• Herbs: You could use fresh chives in place of green onions or add fresh parsley or cilantro.
• Protein: You can omit the bacon for a vegetarian bean cake or add diced ham in place of bacon.
• Beans: You can replace the pinto beans with black beans for black bean cakes or use the same amount of light red kidney beans.
• Butter: You may choose to use the bacon grease to saute the veggies.
• Black Pepper: You can replace the cayenne pepper with black pepper to your taste.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store leftover pinto bean cakes in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: You can reheat in an air fryer or in the microwave. You can also reheat in a nonstick pan in oil. Please note, the panko breadcrumb coating will soften once chilled.
• Freezer: You can make and freeze the bean cakes prior to frying. Place them onto a parchment paper lined sheet pan and freeze them until solid, then package. Thaw in the fridge and fry just before serving.

More Southern Style Recipes Using Beans to Make

Beans are a regular rotation in my kitchen in various forms and flavors.  More recipes using beans you may like to try:

• This recipe for the Best Pinto Beans features fresh herbs and seasonings to elevate a Southern classic.
• This recipe for mixed Calico Beans is all the rage for potlucks.
• 5 Bean Salad is a retro refrigerator salad that everyone will love.
• Turn holiday leftovers into this Ham and 15 Bean Soup recipe.
• You can have this recipe for Instant Pot Beef and Bean Chili ready for  game day snacking in no time flat.
• Creole Red Beans and Rice are full throttle flavor.
• Black Bean and Corn Salsa from Southern Living.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Skillet
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Knives and Chopping Board