German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer)
German Potato Pancakes, known as Kartoffelpuffer, are a delightful twist on comfort food that transports you straight to Germany with every crispy bite. These golden-brown fritters are simple to prepare and can be enjoyed at any time of day—whether for breakfast, brunch, or as a savory side dish at gatherings. With a satisfying crunch on the outside and a soft, flavorful interior, they are perfect for customizing with toppings like sour cream or applesauce. Whip them up in just 30 minutes and savor the warm goodness that makes Kartoffelpuffer a family favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 servings (about four pancakes) 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium potatoes (550g)
- 1 small yellow onion (90g)
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 medium egg
- 1/4 cup cooking oil (for frying)
- Chives for garnish
Instructions
- Wash and peel the potatoes, then grate them finely using a grater or food processor.
- Wring out excess moisture from the grated potatoes using a kitchen towel.
- Grate the onion and squeeze out moisture similarly.
- In a bowl, mix grated potatoes and onion with flour, salt, white pepper, smoked paprika, and egg to form a batter.
- Incorporate reserved potato starch from the drained liquid into the batter.
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake into the pan and flatten slightly.
- Fry for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pancake (approx. 85g)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg