Delightfully crispy and flavorful, these authentic German potato pancakes, Kartoffelpuffer, are fun to make and even more delicious to eat! They can be sweet or savory depending on the toppings you choose or what you serve them with.
A quintessential German treat beloved across every region of Germany, Kartoffelpuffer (German potato pancakes) are not only a favorite dish to serve at home but are also a popular street food found at local Volksfests and holiday events like Fasching, Karneval and Christmas markets.
In particular these German potato pancakes bring back memories of going to my Oma and Opa’s house. Throughout my childhood and through young adulthood my Oma would regularly make these when we went over to their house. My brother and I would play cards at kitchen table with my Opa while my Oma stood over the stove with the crackling sounds and smells of frying Kartoffelpuffer filling the air. Before long, plates of hot Kartoffelpuffer were set out on the table and we helped ourselves to a sprinkle of powdered sugar and generous heaps of applesauce. My Oma knew to make big batches of these Kartoffelpuffer because my brother and I could rarely get enough of them.
What Are Kartoffelpuffer?
Depending on the region of Germany, Kartoffelpuffer are also known as Reibekuchen, Reibeplätzchen, Reiberdatschi and Grumbeerpannekuche.
You may also be familiar with Swiss Rösti. But those are something different. The key difference lies in the size of the grated potatoes: Rösti are shredded whereas Kartoffelpuffer are finely grated. Also, with Rösti the potatoes are sometimes grated raw but more often are parboiled whole in their skins for a few minutes so that the center is still hard, then peeled and grated once they’ve cooled down. Because the potatoes are grated/shredded on the largest setting (in German, “grob geraspelt”) to get large, long strands, parboiling them first prevents the outside of the Rösti from burning before the potatoes are thoroughly cooked through. Grated onions are usually added and sometimes bacon and cheese, depending on the region. Rösti are also fried longer until they are light brown and crunchy.
Kartoffelpuffer on the other hand are made from potatoes that are grated raw and grated finely (allowing them to cook quickly and evenly). The shredded potatoes are wrung out in a clean dish towel and then mixed with egg, finely grated onion and flour and then fried to light golden. The end result is a crispy exterior and soft interior.
Kartoffelpuffer can be served sweet or savory. Most commonly they’re served with apple sauce or other fruit compote, and/or dusted with powdered sugar, but are also served savory-style with a yogurt-herb sauce or with meat as part of a meal.
In a word, they’re simply DELICIOUS!
Kartoffelpuffer Recipe
Let’s get started!
Use a grater or food processor to finely grate the potatoes. You don’t want thick strands. Either place the grated potatoes in a colander and thoroughly squeeze the liquid out with your hands or place them in a clean dish towel and wring it to squeeze out the liquid.
Place the drained grated potatoes in a bowl along with the grated onion, eggs, flour and salt. Use your hands to knead the mixture together until you have a thick, tacky mass. Don’t let this mixture sit for long before frying it.
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Heat some oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1/3-1/2 cup (depending on size preference) of the potato mixture to the frying pan and flatten it with the back of a spoon to form pancakes. Fry the Kartoffelpuffer on both sides (about 3-5 minutes) until golden brown. Place the fried potato pancakes on paper towels to briefly blot them and then immediately serve them while hot.
Serve with applesauce, fruit compote, or powdered sugar or serve it savory-style with some herbed yogurt, quark or creme fraiche or with meat and gravy.
Guten appetit!
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For more authentic German recipes be sure to try our:
- Spaetzle
- Kaesespaetzle
- Schnitzel
- Jagerschnitzel
- German Goulash
- Currywurst
- Sauerbraten
- Rouladen
- Rotkohl
- Maultaschen
- German Potato Soup
- Swabian Potato Salad
- Semmelknödel
- German Potato Dumplings
- Zwiebelkuchen
- German Bread (Vollkornbrot)
- Bratwurst
- Obatzda
Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Pancakes)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds starchy potatoes, peeled and very finely grated (RAW, not cooked)
- 1 small yellow onion, very finely grated
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- neutral-tasting oil for frying
Instructions
- Thoroughly wring out the liquid in the grated potatoes by placing them in a colander and squeezing them with your hands or by placing them in a clean dish towel and wringing out the liquid.
- Place the drained grated potatoes in a medium-sized bowl with the grated onion, eggs, flour and salt and use your hands to work it into a tacky mixture. Add a little more flour if needed. Do no let the mixture sit for long before using it, use it immediately.
- Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat and place 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the mixture (depending on size preference) in the hot pan and flatten into pancakes with the back of a spoon. Fry on both sides for 3-5 minutes until the Kartoffelpuffer are golden. Place them briefly on paper towels.
- Serve immediately while hot with applesauce, fruit compote or powdered sugar. For a savory version serve with herbed yogurt, quark or creme fraiche or with meat and gravy as part of a meal.
Nutrition
Originally published October 24, 2017
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I love food that brings back memories of family! This is a great recipe and can’t wait to try it!
Marie Czarnecki says
Love good potato pancakes, and my Polish Grandmother made them all the time, and they go with anything and everything. Will get around to making them, of course I am by myself with my “SERVICE DOGGIES” they will love them too for a little treat.. They eat what I cook, no dog food!!!
Duane says
Ha Ha!!! I was about to write the same thing…
My Polish Grandmother (From Wilkes Barre, PA)used to make these 2 or 3 times a month….
The only difference I see is that she would add an onion to the grated potatoes….
I did prefer the potatoes shredded rather than grated….
Katya says
I know this was AGES ago, but I noticed you said you were going to feed these to your doggies. I believe you are not supposed to feed onions to dogs. Please double check before feeding them onions. :o)
Anonymous says
The acadien people make them all the time in the old day still going strong now
Spike says
These are screaming for cheese! No sweet stuff :-)
eat good 4 life says
I have wanted to do this for ever. I must make sure I do sometime soon. Awesome recipe!
alyssa | everydaymaven says
These remind me of Potato Latkes – so similar and so delish!!
Jessica | The Novice Chef says
This will be perfect when my family comes! This is right up their alley!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Haven’t had these in forever. They bring back such great memories!
Cori Landon says
I made these for the “clan” this morning and they were a huge hit! They’re already requesting this become a breakfast regular :)
Michelle says
Those look really wonderful! Potato pancakes are always a holiday favorite around here!
Delaney | Melanie Makes says
These pancakes look so delicious!
Natalie Loftus says
I whipped these up for a light dinner (staple ingredients I always have on hand) and boy were they delicious! I haven’t had these in YEARS and I’m so glad you reminded me of what I was missing.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Natalie, thanks so much!
Barbara Anderton says
Hi Kimberly. Thank you so much for this recipe. I used to
Have them at my beloved nana’s house as a special treat in
the 60’s!
Can’t wait to try them later, will let you know how I get on.
Barbara
Ramona says
Awesome!!! My German Oma added some marjarpm for the savory ones!!
Amanda says
I love a great potato pancake, so I’m definitely trying these out!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
I have never had these and I definitely need to try them. Amazing!
Dorothy Reinhold says
My grandmother used to make these all the time! I had forgotten how much I love them!