Crispy Golden German Potato Pancakes Recipe for Breakfast Joy

Crispy, golden german potato pancakes bring comfort straight to your plate with their irresistible aroma and satisfying crunch.

These traditional kartoffelpuffer delight taste buds with simple ingredients found in most kitchen pantries.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this beloved recipe, passing down techniques that make each bite memorable.

Shredded potatoes mix with eggs and seasonings, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.

Served hot and accompanied by applesauce or sour cream, these pancakes transform an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Weeknight dinners or weekend brunches become special moments when you share these delectable potato pancakes.

Embrace the warmth and deliciousness of this classic German comfort food that promises to tantalize your senses.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 10

Potato Pancake Ingredient Essentials

• Potatoes: Hearty tubers that create the classic crispy texture, choose starchy varieties like Russet for best results.
• Onion: Provides a subtle sharp flavor and helps bind the mixture, select fresh firm onions with no soft spots.

• Eggs: Act as the essential glue holding the pancake together, use fresh room-temperature eggs for smooth incorporation.
• Flour: Helps create structure and crispiness, all-purpose flour works perfectly for consistent pancake formation.
• Salt, Pepper: Elevate the natural potato flavors, freshly ground black pepper adds extra aromatic warmth.

• Butter: Contributes rich, golden taste and helps achieve beautiful browning, select unsalted for precise seasoning control.
• Vegetable Oil: Prevents burning and helps create an even, crispy exterior, choose a neutral oil with high smoke point.

Tools That Crisp Each Side to Golden Brown

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients smoothly and thoroughly.
• Fine Grater: Perfect for creating fine potato and onion shreds with minimal effort.
• Kitchen Towel: Crucial for squeezing out excess moisture from grated potatoes to ensure crispy pancakes.
• Non-stick Skillet: Key for evenly cooking pancakes without sticking and achieving golden-brown perfection.
• Spoon: Great for measuring batter and gently flattening pancakes in the pan.
• Paper Towels: Helpful for draining excess oil from freshly cooked pancakes.

Fry German Potato Pancakes Until Crunchy

• Unleash Potato

Grab fresh potatoes and transform them into crispy delights. Grate the potatoes finely and squeeze out every drop of moisture using a clean kitchen towel. This secret technique guarantees perfectly crunchy pancakes.

• Create Flavor Fusion

Blend grated potatoes with onion, eggs, flour, salt, and pepper in a big mixing bowl. Stir everything together until the mixture looks uniform and promises deliciousness.

• Sizzle and Shine

Warm a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Pour a combination of butter and oil to create a golden cooking surface that prevents burning and adds irresistible flavor.

• Craft Crispy Perfection

Scoop potato mixture into the hot skillet, gently pressing it into pancake shapes. Let each side develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust, cooking approximately 3-4 minutes per side.

• Plate and Celebrate

Rescue your golden pancakes and place them on paper towels to blot away extra oil. Serve immediately while they’re hot and crackling with deliciousness.

Flavor Add-Ons for This Buttery Favorite

• Pat potatoes extremely dry before mixing to achieve maximum crispiness and prevent soggy pancakes.
• Add fresh chopped chives or parsley into the batter for an herbal twist and extra depth of flavor.
• Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
• Bake pancakes in a preheated oven at 425°F on a parchment-lined baking sheet for a lower-fat alternative to traditional frying.
• Create a vegan version by substituting eggs with ground flaxseed mixed with water or using chickpea flour as a binding agent.

Plate Pancakes with Sour Cream or Applesauce

• Cozy Comfort Companions: Creamy applesauce adds a sweet contrast to the savory pancakes, balancing the rich buttery flavor with fruity freshness.
• Weekend Brunch Brilliance: Top these crispy pancakes with a dollop of sour cream and fresh chives for a gourmet breakfast experience that feels both elegant and comforting.
• Hearty Side Kick: Serve alongside roasted bratwurst or grilled kielbasa to create a classic German-inspired meal that celebrates traditional comfort food flavors.
• Protein Power Plate: Pair with a crisp green salad or poached eggs to transform these potato pancakes into a complete and satisfying meal that keeps you full and happy.

Store and Reheat for Crispy Results

• Enjoy these golden potato pancakes immediately after cooking for maximum crispiness and warmth. They're best served straight from the skillet with a dollop of sour cream or applesauce.
• Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Crisp up cold pancakes in a preheated oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make them soggy and lose their delightful crunch.
• Freeze uncooked potato mixture or fully cooked pancakes for up to 1 month. Wrap tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap or place in sealed containers to prevent freezer burn.

FAQs

• Why is squeezing out moisture from potatoes important?

Removing excess water helps the potato pancakes become crispy and golden brown instead of soggy. The less moisture in the batter, the better the pancakes will fry and develop a crunchy exterior.

• Can I use a different type of potato for this recipe?

Starchy potatoes like Russet or Idaho work best because they hold together well and create a crisp texture. Waxy potatoes like red or new potatoes might make the pancakes too dense and less crispy.

• How do I know when the pancakes are perfectly cooked?

Look for a golden brown color on both sides and a crispy edge. The pancake should be firm when you touch it and not feel soft or mushy in the center. Cooking about 3-4 minutes per side usually achieves the ideal texture.

• Is it necessary to use both butter and oil when frying?

Yes, combining butter and oil prevents the butter from burning while adding rich flavor. The oil raises the burning point of butter, allowing you to cook at a higher temperature without scorching the pancakes.

Golden German Potato Pancakes Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Kartoffelpuffer, a classic German potato pancake, delights palates with crispy edges and golden-brown perfection. Served alongside applesauce or sour cream, these traditional pancakes offer a comforting taste of German culinary heritage you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 1 lbs (900 g) potatoes, peeled and grated
• 1 small onion, grated
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• 3 tbsps butter (for frying)
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil (for frying)

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Instructions

1. Potato Preparation: Grate potatoes using a fine grater, capturing a uniform texture. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture thoroughly to ensure crispy pancakes.
2. Batter Formation: Combine grated potatoes, minced onion, eggs, flour, and seasonings in a mixing bowl. Blend ingredients until a smooth, consistent mixture develops with no visible lumps.
3. Skillet Preparation: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium flame. Create a cooking surface with a combination of butter and vegetable oil to prevent sticking and enhance flavor profile.
4. Cooking Process: Ladle potato mixture onto the heated skillet, spreading gently to form circular pancakes. Cook until edges turn deep golden brown and crisp, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Flip carefully to ensure even browning and complete cooking.
5. Finishing Touch: Transfer pancakes to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Allow brief resting to maintain crispness and structural integrity. Serve immediately with traditional accompaniments like applesauce or sour cream for an authentic german culinary experience.

Notes

• Moisture Management: Thoroughly squeeze out potato liquid using a clean towel to prevent soggy pancakes and ensure maximum crispiness.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, allowing even cooking and crisp edges.
• Batter Consistency: Mix ingredients until just combined, avoiding overmixing to prevent dense, tough pancakes that lack delicate texture.
• Serving Strategy: Serve immediately after cooking to preserve the perfect crispy-crunchy texture and optimal temperature for best flavor experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 169
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 185 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 62 mg