Crispy Potato Pancakes

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🥔 Crispy Potato Pancakes (German-Style Kartoffelpuffer)

These crispy potato pancakes are golden brown on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, and incredibly flavorful. They make a delicious breakfast, side dish, or light meal served with sour cream or applesauce.

📝 Ingredients

  • 4 large russet potatoes (about 2 lb / 900 g), peeled
  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for extra crispiness)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Butter (optional, for extra flavor)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Potatoes

  • Grate the potatoes using the large holes of a box grater or a food processor.
  • Place the grated potatoes in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  • Let the squeezed liquid sit for 5 minutes, then carefully pour off the water and keep the white potato starch left at the bottom. Add it back to the potatoes if desired.

2. Make the Batter

  • In a large bowl, combine:
    • Grated potatoes
    • Grated onion
    • Eggs
    • Flour
    • Cornstarch
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    • Garlic powder
    • Parsley
  • Mix until everything is evenly combined.

3. Fry the Pancakes

  • Heat about ¼ inch (6 mm) of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Scoop about ¼ cup of the potato mixture into the pan and flatten it into a pancake about ½ inch thick.
  • Fry for 3–4 minutes per side, or until deep golden brown and crispy.
  • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

4. Serve

Serve hot with your favorite toppings:

  • 🥣 Sour cream
  • 🍎 Applesauce (traditional)
  • 🧀 Shredded cheese
  • 🥓 Crispy bacon
  • 🌿 Fresh chives
  • 🥚 Fried or poached eggs

💡 Tips

  • Squeezing out the potato moisture is the secret to extra crispy pancakes.
  • Fry in batches without overcrowding the pan.
  • Keep cooked pancakes warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven while finishing the rest.
  • For extra richness, fry with a mixture of butter and oil.

⏱️ Time

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes

🍽️ Servings

Makes 8–10 potato pancakes (4 servings)

Golden, crispy, and irresistibly delicious, these homemade potato pancakes are best enjoyed fresh from the skillet! 🥔✨

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