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German Potato Pancakes Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 93 reviews

Authentic German Potato Pancakes, crispy on the outside and tender inside, made from grated potatoes and onions, seasoned simply and fried to golden perfection. Served warm with sweet apple sauce or savory toppings like sour cream or yoghurt, these pancakes are a versatile and comforting traditional dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound of potatoes
  • 1 small onion
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of pepper (optional, for savory flavor)
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 medium-sized egg
  • Oil for frying (about 2 tablespoons plus extra as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Potatoes and Onion: Wash and peel one pound of potatoes, then peel one small onion.
  2. Grate the Vegetables: Using the grating side of a four-sided grater, grate the potatoes into a bowl. Grate the onion as well; if this is difficult, finely chop the onion instead.
  3. Drain Excess Water: Squeeze the grated potatoes to remove excess water that collects; drain some of the potato liquid if too watery.
  4. Add Seasonings and Binding Ingredients: Add a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper if desired, 3 tablespoons of flour, and one medium-sized egg to the grated vegetables.
  5. Mix the Batter: Combine all ingredients thoroughly using clean hands for best mixing, until the batter is evenly blended.
  6. Heat the Oil: Heat about two tablespoons of oil in a frying pan over medium heat to prepare for frying the pancakes.
  7. Form and Fry the Pancakes: Scoop about two tablespoons of batter per pancake into the hot oil, spreading to ensure pancake isn’t too thick or too large; typically 2-4 pancakes fit in the pan at once.
  8. Cook Until Golden Brown: Fry each side of the pancake for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then remove from pan and place on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
  9. Keep Warm: Place cooked pancakes in a preheated oven to keep warm while frying remaining pancakes, adding more oil to the pan as needed.
  10. Serve: Serve immediately with apple sauce for a sweet option or sour cream, yoghurt, or quark for a savory taste.

Notes

  • For best texture, remove as much moisture from grated potatoes as possible before mixing.
  • Adjust seasoning to taste; pepper is optional based on preference for sweet or savory pancakes.
  • Use a non-stick or well-seasoned pan to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
  • Keeps warm in a low oven (approximately 200°F or 90°C) while frying remaining pancakes.
  • Serve with traditional German sides like applesauce or quark for authenticity.

Keywords: German Potato Pancakes, Kartoffelpuffer, traditional German recipe, crispy potato pancakes, fried potato pancakes, savory pancakes, easy potato recipe

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/german-potato-pancakes-recipe/