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–+ servings

German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer)

Crispy, golden potato pancakes with a savory twist, perfect for pairing with applesauce!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: German
Calories: 339
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds potatoes peeled and finely grated, use Yukon Gold for best texture
  • 1 yellow onion peeled and finely grated
  • 2 eggs used for binding the dough
  • 1 teaspoon salt for seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper for seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg for a hint of spice
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil for frying, add more as needed
  • Applesauce for serving, or smoked salmon for a savory twist

Equipment

  • 1 Box Grater or Food Processor For grating the potatoes and onions
  • 1 Fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag To drain the grated ingredients and separate the starch
  • 1 Large Skillet or Frying Pan For pan-frying the pancakes
  • 1 Paper towels For draining excess oil from the fried pancakes
  • 1 Heavy-bottomed pan (cast iron recommended) For even heat distribution and achieving a golden, crispy texture

Method
 

  1. Peel and grate the potatoes and onion finely. You can use a food processor to make this faster.
  2. Place the grated potatoes and onions into a fine mesh strainer. Squeeze out the excess moisture and let it sit for a few minutes to separate the potato starch.
  3. Transfer the drained ingredients into a bowl. Add the eggs, salt, pepper, and ground nutmeg. Stir everything until well mixed.
  4. Carefully pour out the excess water from the bowl, keeping the potato starch at the bottom. Add the potato starch to the mixture and stir until fully incorporated.
  5. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the pan, shaping them into pancakes. Continue until the pan is full.
  6. Cook the pancakes for 7-10 minutes on each side, turning them golden and crispy. Remove them from the pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels. If necessary, add more oil and repeat the process with the remaining mixture.
  7. Serve the potato pancakes with applesauce or your preferred side and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 2gCalories: 339kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 8gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 627mgPotassium: 1030mgFiber: 6gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 126IUVitamin C: 47mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 2mg

Notes

These crispy potato pancakes are a classic German comfort dish, best enjoyed with applesauce or smoked salmon. Don't forget to adjust the heat to get the perfect golden crunch!

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