Ultimate Crispy German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer)
Make the best potato pancakes with this easy recipe for crispy German Kartoffelpuffer. You achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and a tender interior every time. This is true comfort food!
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: About 12 pancakes 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Pan Frying
- Cuisine: German
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs Russet potatoes, peeled
- 1 medium yellow onion, grated
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying
Instructions
- Grate the potatoes using the coarse side of a box grater.
- Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of cheesecloth. Gather the edges and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This step is crucial for crispy potato pancakes.
- Transfer the dried potatoes to a large bowl. Add the grated onion, beaten eggs, flour, salt, and pepper. Mix everything until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Carefully drop spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon to form 3-inch pancakes. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Fry for 4 to 6 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the potato pancakes from the skillet and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt immediately.
- Serve your golden brown fritters hot with traditional accompaniments like applesauce or sour cream.
Notes
- For extra crispy potato pancakes, you can keep the cooked pancakes warm on a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you finish frying the remaining batches.
- If you are using leftover mashed potatoes, mix 2 cups of cold mashed potatoes with 1 egg, 1/4 cup flour, and seasonings, then proceed to the frying steps.
- If you enjoy Polish potato pancakes (Placki Ziemniaczane), you can add a pinch of marjoram to the batter for a slight flavor variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 40