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    Home » Recipes

    German Potato Pancakes

    Updated: Jul 5, 2021 · Published: Jul 5, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    german potato pancakes
    german potato pancakes
    german potato pancakes

    German Potato Pancakes, also known as Kartoffelpuffer, are crispy pan-fried pancakes made with shredded potatoes. Serve these potato pancakes up with a dollop of sour cream, green onions, etc. 

    fork in a stack of german potato pancakes
    In this Article:
    • How to Make German Potato Pancakes 
    • Tips & Tricks For German Potato Pancakes 
    • Variations To German Potato Pancakes
    • German Potato Pancakes FAQs
    • Recipe

    Potato pancakes are a big favorite in our home. Whip these up to serve up as a side or even appetizer.

    Serve your potato pancakes alongside something sweet like a smoothie or a breakfast cookie. Or, when I'm feeling really indulgent, I like to whip up this fruity breakfast pizza for a sweet breakfast treat.

    These pancakes are a dippable, delicious potato recipe that will leave you wanting one more bite!

    These German Potato Pancakes are... 

    • Gluten-free
    • Made with 6 simple ingredients 
    • An easy side dish or appetizer 
    • Simple to prepare 

    How to Make German Potato Pancakes 

    how to make german potato pancakes collage
    1. Preheat oil in a heavy duty skillet. While pan is warming up, grate your potatoes and onion.
    2. Squeeze out excess liquid from potatoes and onions with a towel. Add the other ingredients to the bowl and mix well. 
    3. Place the pancakes in a skillet and cook until golden brown, about 3–4 minutes per side.
    4. Remove cakes, sprinkle with salt, and serve up with sour cream and green onions. 

    Full directions for these German Potato Pancakes are in the printable recipe card below. 

    Tips & Tricks For German Potato Pancakes 

    german potato pancakes frying in a pan

    Grating Potatoes and Onions

    I used a cheese grater for grating my potatoes and onions. You want the pieces to be thin and small. The smaller they are, the easier they are to shape together with the egg and the flour mixture. 

    If you have an electric grater, using that will definitely speed up your prep time.

    Heavy-duty Pan 

    Make that you fry up these potato cakes in a heavy-duty pan. You want your pancakes to cook evenly. If your skillet cooks unevenly, you will find some areas can be overcooked while other areas of the pancake are undercooked.

    Variations To German Potato Pancakes

    bite taken out of stack of german potato pancakes

    Seasonings 

    Feel free to add in different spices and seasonings to change up the flavor of your potato cakes. I used a simple salt, but you could try Creole, lemon pepper, etc. 

    Mashed Potatoes 

    If you have leftover mashed potatoes, go ahead and use them instead of grated potatoes. The mashed potatoes will work just as well as grated; they will just have a fluffier texture on the inside when you bite into the cakes.

    Gluten-Free Option 

    Reach for a gluten-free flour blend instead of using classic flour. This will allow the potato pancakes to become gluten-free!

    German Potato Pancakes FAQs

    stack of german potato pancakes

    What is a potato pancake? 

    Potato pancakes are shredded potatoes with onion, egg, and flour, that is shaped into a pancake and cooked till nice and crispy in the skillet. They make for a savory side dish or appetizer!

    How do you store leftover potato cakes? 

    If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. You will find that the potatoes will soften up quite a bit, but you can reheat them in the microwave or the oven. 

    What is the best variety of potato to use? 

    I recommend using Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes. You will find the pancakes made with these potatoes hold up best when cooked and will give you that golden crispy crust you are wanting. 

    Recipe

    german potato pancakes

    German Potato Pancakes

    All She Cooks
    German Potato Pancakes, also known as Kartoffelpuffer, are crispy pan-fried pancakes made with shredded potatoes. Serve these potato pancakes up with a dollop of sour cream, green onions, etc.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 pancakes
    Calories 209 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1.5 lbs russet potatoes 5 small or 3–4 large
    • 1 medium onion
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½–½ cup oil for frying

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat a skillet over medium heat with enough oil to make a ⅛” layer on the bottom.
    • While oil preheats, wash and peel the potatoes and onion.
      german potato pancakes
    • Using a grater, shred the potatoes and onion, then stir together in a large bowl.
      german potato pancakes
    • Using a clean kitchen towel or some paper towels, squeeze out as much liquid as you can from the potatoes and onion, then return to bowl and set aside.
    • Use a fork to mix together the egg, flour, and salt.
      german potato pancakes
    • Pour wet mix into potato shreds and stir well.
      german potato pancakes
    • Use a scoop or large spoon to transfer the potato mixture into the preheated pan full of oil, then flatten scoops of potato mixture with a spatula.
      german potato pancakes
    • Allow potato pancake to cook 3–4 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown, then flip and continue cooking an additional 3–4 minutes.
      german potato pancakes
    • Repeat until all the potato shreds have been used up—you may need to add additional oil between batches.
      german potato pancakes

    Notes

    • Do not rinse the potato shreds—the starch will help the pancake stick together.
    • Both sides of the pancakes should be golden brown.
    • You can keep your finished potato pancakes in the oven in a baking dish at 200°F while you finish cooking the rest of them.
    • Garnish your potato pancakes with sour cream and green onions.
    • You can add some of your favorite seasonings to the potato mixture to change it up a bit!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 159mgPotassium: 384mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 35IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword german potato pancakes
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    Nicole is a recipe developer, food photographer, and published cookbook author. At All She Cooks, she shares simple recipes to make every day a little bit more delicious. About Us →


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