Easy Kartoffelpuffer Pancakes

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Kartoffelpuffer pancakes are a traditional German holiday food.

Often served in the Christmas Markets in Germany, these simple and delicious potato pancakes have a crispy crust on the outside and are fluffy soft on the inside.

From breakfast to dinner, Kartoffelpuffer Pancakes are a great addition to any holiday meal.

This year, I’ve decided to explore some German recipes to celebrate my husband’s German heritage.

And one of the first things I had to try making were these yummy potato Pancakes.

Two German kartoffelpuffer pancakes on a plate. Kartoffelpuffer means potato.

Making potato pancakes is easy!

You won’t believe how simple these are!

All you do is grate up some potatoes and mix them with eggs, flour, and seasonings.

Flatten them out in hot oil and fry them until they are brown and crispy.

Of course, a delicious German Potato Pancake belongs on your Oktoberfest Buffet Menu.

What to serve with kartoffelpuffer pancakes?

Kartoffelpuffer Pancakes are a wonderful cold weather comfort food.

In the Christmas Markets, these are served with apple gravy.

But they are a great side dish with a dinner entree like Pork Schnitzel, too.

While this isn’t a traditional pairing, they even goes great with some yummy Orange and Rosemary Cornish Hens.

Another great side to serve opposite potato pancakes is sauerkraut or pickled cabbage.

And you can even serve Kartoffelpuffer Pancakes as a small and simple meal with a nice dark beer – one of my favorites is Warsteiner’s Dunkel.

In fact, the only way to go wrong with these tasty German treats is if you don’t make them!

The potato pancakes come together very simply and are great to serve the rest of the year too!

Kartoffelpuffer Pancakes aka Potato Pancakes

Potatoes have always been a staple in German cuisine, so it’s no surprise that there is a delicious potato pancake recipe that has become popular throughout the country.

In fact, many European cuisines have a variation of a potato pancake recipe.

Other names for potato pancakes

A pancake by any other name would taste as good…

You’ll find them called not only Kartoffelpuffer pancakes, but you’ll also see them referred to as Latkes, Placki, Draniki and Rarakor pancakes.

Depending on the cuisine, they may be served with apple gravy, apple sauce, sour cream, and even lingonberry jam.

Potato pancake recipes are often very similar.

Most potato pancakes are made with shredded (or even mashed) potato using egg as a binder.

Latkes often have onions in them, and you can adjust this recipe by adding two grated onions.

Kartoffelpuffer pancakes are a traditional holiday food.

Often served in the Christmas Markets in Germany, these simple and delicious potato pancakes have a crispy crust on the outside and are fluffy soft on the inside.

Ingredients you need to make the recipe

Kartoffelpuffer pancakes require few ingredients and can be made quickly.

When you want a hearty dish but don’t have a lot of time, these Kartoffelpuffer pancakes are the perfect solution.

They only require a few simple ingredients, and they can be made quickly.

Plus, they’re delicious and filling.

So give them a try the next time you’re in a hurry.

Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 20 minutes

  • 3 potatoes, peeled
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons of flour
  • 2 tablespoons garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • Vegetable Oil for Frying

How to make the recipe

Using a grater or a grater attachment on a Kitchen Aid mixer grate the peeled potatoes.

Do this to all three potatoes.

If you don’t have a mixer to grate the potatoes, it’s perfectly fine to grate them by hand.

Place potatoes into a bowl with two eggs, flour, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Mix all of the ingredients together well using your hands or a spoon.

A bowl with grated potato, an egg, and seasoning being mixed together.

Heat oil to medium heat and place some of the mixture into the pan.

Using a spatula, flatten out the pancake.

Cook for a few minutes on each side till they are a golden brown.

Serve with a good dark beer.

Variations on the recipe

This isn’t the only way to make potato pancakes.

You can also use boiled potatoes and them put them through a potato ricer before making them into patties.

Another way to make them is to fry them in clarified butter or duck fat. 

You can also add different types of cheese, meats, and vegetables.

Sneaking in some shredded zucchini to get a few more of your daily 5 when your kid isn’t looking? We won’t tell.

You can also customize the batter by adding different spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg. .

Once you’ve mastered this classic German dish, you’ll be able to unleash your inner German!

Kartoffelpuffer pancakes are a quick, easy, and tasty breakfast or side dish option.

You can make them with just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen.

The best part is that they only take a few minutes to cook, so they’re perfect for when you need something fast.

More delicious German Recipes

You may enjoy serving them with some other traditional Germany dishes too.

We particularly enjoy serving them with schnitzel and sauerkraut with some yummy desserts too like Black Forest Cake, Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), and Pfeffernusse cookies.

try it and share!

Please let us know how you enjoy our potato pancake, aka Kartoffelpuffer pancake recipe.

A close up of a potato pancake on a white plate.

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Easy German Kartoffelpuffer Pancakes

Jennifer Quisenberry
Kartoffelpuffer pancakes are a traditional German holiday food. Often served in the Christmas Markets in Germany, these simple and delicious potato pancakes have a crispy crust on the outside and are fluffy soft on the inside.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine German
Servings 8
Calories 89 kcal

Equipment

  • Bowl
  • Grater or grater attachment on a stand mixer
  • Spatula or spoon
  • Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 3 potatoes peeled
  • 2 eggs
  • 4 tablespoons of flour
  • 2 tablespoons garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • Vegetable Oil for Frying

Instructions
 

  • Using a grater or a grater attachment on a Kitchen Aid mixer grate the peeled potatoes. Do this to all three potatoes.
    3 potatoes
  • Place potatoes into a bowl with two eggs, flour, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well with your hands.
    3 potatoes, 2 eggs, 4 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
  • Heat oil to medium heat and place some of the mixture into the pan.
    Vegetable Oil for Frying
  • Using a spatula, flatten out the pancake.
  • Cook for a few minutes on each side till they are a golden brown.

Notes

Please note that nutrition facts are subject to changed based on your choice of ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcal
Keyword Easy Kartoffelpuffer Pancakes, Latkes, Potato Pancakes
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