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

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.

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.

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.

Mix well.

Step 2 | Add flour

Add the all-purpose flour.

Step 3 | Mix and knead

Mix and then knead until combined.

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.

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.

Step 7 | form dough

Then, form your dough as pictured.

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!

Step 9 | Pick up using lefse stick

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

Step 10 | Place on lefse grill

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

Step 11 | Grill the first side

Grill on one side for a few minutes.

The dough will start to bubble.

Step 12 | Flip and cook the second side

Flip and cook the other side for a few minutes.

Step 13 | Repeat with the remaining dough

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

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

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

Roll up and enjoy!

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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How to Make Lefse with 2 Recipes