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German Potato Pancakes

German Potato Pancakes

German Potato Pancakes are golden, crispy, and packed with comforting flavor. Featuring perfectly crunchy edges and tender interiors, this recipe offers an easy way to enjoy delicious, authentic German comfort food that works for breakfast, brunch, or dinner. Made with simple pantry staples like russet potatoes, onion, eggs, and flour, these pancakes are versatile, customizable, and irresistibly satisfying every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4 large Russet potatoes, peeled and grated
  • 1 medium onion, peeled and grated
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour/potato starch for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Vegetable or canola oil, for frying (about 1/4 cup)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Potatoes and Onion: Peel and finely grate the russet potatoes and onion. Transfer the grated mixture to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible to ensure crispy pancakes.
  2. Mix Ingredients Together: Place the drained potato and onion into a large bowl. Add eggs, flour, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until combined into a sticky batter, taking care not to overmix to maintain some texture.
  3. Heat the Pan and Add Oil: Warm a generous amount of vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when you add the batter but not smoking.
  4. Form and Fry the Pancakes: Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of batter per pancake into the skillet. Flatten lightly with a spatula for even thickness. Fry each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  5. Serve Warm and Enjoy: Serve German Potato Pancakes immediately while warm and crispy with desired garnishes or sides.

Notes

  • Dry the potatoes thoroughly to avoid soggy pancakes.
  • Use fresh oil to prevent burning and maintain crispiness.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches for even frying.
  • Maintain medium heat to ensure pancakes cook through without burning.
  • Batter can be prepared ahead and chilled for up to 1 hour for better flavor blending.

Nutrition

Keywords: German potato pancakes, crispy potato pancakes, traditional German recipe, Kartoffelpuffer, gluten free potato pancakes, comfort food, easy potato pancakes