Introduction
German Potato Pancakes, known as Kartoffelpuffer or Reibekuchen in Germany, are a beloved comfort dish—crispy on the outside, tender within, made with shredded raw potatoes, onion and a simple binder of eggs and flour. Whether served sweet with applesauce or savory with sour cream or gravy, they’re perfect for snack, side or main.
Prep Time: ~15 minutes
Cook Time: ~15 minutes
Total Time: ~30 minutes
Ingredients
2 pounds starchy potatoes, peeled and finely grated
1 yellow onion, peeled and finely grated
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil for frying
Applesauce or sour cream, for serving (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
➜ Peel and finely grate the potatoes and the onion.
➜ Transfer the grated potatoes and onion to a colander or a clean dish cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. If desired, reserve the potato starch from the drained liquid and fold it back into the mixture.
➜ In a large bowl combine the drained potatoes and onion with the eggs, salt, pepper, ground nutmeg and flour. Stir until well combined.
➜ Heat about ¼ inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
➜ Scoop about ⅓ to ½ cup of the potato mixture into the hot oil and flatten into a pancake shape using the back of a spoon.
➜ Fry each pancake for about 3-5 minutes per side until deeply golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
➜ Serve immediately while hot, with applesauce, sour cream, or a savory accompaniment of your choice.
Pro Tips (FAQ-style)
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes—after frying, keep pancakes warm in a low oven (about 200°F) on a baking sheet until ready to serve. They also freeze well when cooled and stored in freezer-safe containers and reheated in a skillet.
What type of potatoes should I use?
Starchy varieties like Russet or Idaho give the best crisp crisping results.
Serve sweet or savory?
For sweet, dust with powdered sugar and serve with applesauce. For savory, serve with sour cream, chives or smoked salmon.
Nutrition Summary
Crispy shredded potato pancakes with a tender interior, great as a snack or side.
Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar
2 pancakes | ~339 kcal | ~8 g | ~43 g | ~16 g | ~6 g | ~3 g
Nutrition facts are estimated.
