German Potato Pancakes Recipe
Introduction
German potato pancakes, or Kartoffelpuffer, are crispy, golden treats that make for a comforting snack or side dish. Made with simple ingredients and quickly fried to perfection, they bring a delightful crunch and warm flavor to your table.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of potatoes
- 1 small onion
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper, if desired
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 medium-sized egg
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Step 1: Wash, peel, and grate the potatoes and onion. Place them in a clean cloth or fine sieve and drain excess water to avoid soggy pancakes.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the grated potatoes and onion with salt, pepper, flour, and the egg. Mix everything thoroughly until well blended.
- Step 3: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Spoon portions of the batter into the pan, flattening slightly to form pancakes.
- Step 4: Fry each side until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Step 5: Remove pancakes and drain on paper towels. Keep warm in a low oven until ready to serve.
- Step 6: Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as applesauce, sour cream, or chives.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the grated potatoes before mixing the batter.
- You can add fresh herbs like parsley or dill to the batter for added flavor.
- Try serving with smoked salmon and a dollop of sour cream for a delicious twist.
Storage
Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to restore their crispness rather than microwaving, which can make them soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pre-grated frozen potatoes?
Yes, pre-grated frozen potatoes can be used, but make sure to thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before using to avoid watery pancakes.
What oil is best for frying potato pancakes?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil for frying to achieve a crispy texture without burning.
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German Potato Pancakes Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic German Potato Pancakes are crispy, golden-brown fritters made from grated potatoes and onions, mixed with egg and flour, then pan-fried to perfection. They are perfect as a savory side dish or a comforting snack, served with sour cream, applesauce, or your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound of potatoes
- 1 small onion
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper, if desired
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 medium-sized egg
- Oil for frying (such as vegetable or canola oil)
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: Wash, peel, and finely grate the potatoes and the small onion. After grating, drain excess water from the potatoes using a clean kitchen towel or fine sieve to avoid soggy pancakes.
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the grated potatoes and onion with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add in 3 tablespoons of flour and 1 medium-sized egg. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated into a batter.
- Heat the Pan: Warm a generous amount of oil in a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when the batter is added, but not smoking hot.
- Cook the Pancakes: Spoon the batter carefully into the hot oil, forming small to medium-sized pancakes. Fry each pancake until the bottom is golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook the other side until similarly golden and cooked through.
- Drain and Keep Warm: Remove cooked pancakes from the pan and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Keep the pancakes warm by placing them in a low oven while you finish cooking the rest of the batter.
- Serve: Serve the German Potato Pancakes hot with your choice of toppings like sour cream, applesauce, or chives for added flavor.
Notes
- For best results, ensure potatoes are well drained before mixing to get crispy pancakes.
- You can substitute some or all of the flour with gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Season to taste by adding additional herbs like parsley or chives into the batter if desired.
- Use oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil for frying.
- To keep pancakes crispy, avoid stacking them before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: German
Keywords: German potato pancakes, potato fritters, crispy potato pancakes, traditional German recipe, fried potato pancakes
