Kartoffelpuffer are German potato pancakes fried up crisp and golden in a skillet and traditionally served with applesauce.

Though this is a traditional German recipe, it is still popular in the United States in areas with German heritage, such as Wisconsin. Requiring only simple ingredients, this recipe is inexpensive to make which may explain part of its longevity in rural areas such as where I grew up.

Kartoffelpuffer

Kartoffelpuffer are potato pancakes popularized in Germany. They are made with shredded potatoes dusted in flour, egg, and seasonings. I use a box grater and coarsely shred them the same way I do when making homemade hash browns. However, you can shred them finer if you prefer.

Potato pancakes are very similar to latkes, separated by only a few nuanced differences, and depending on the recipe variation sometimes there are no differences at all other than Kartoffelpuffer being a German creation and latkes being a Jewish dish.

German potato pancakes ingredients

• 2 pounds russet potatoes - You want to use starchy baking potatoes, such as russets. Waxy potatoes don't work very well, and almost taste goey.
• 2 eggs - Eggs are used as a binder to create a batter and hold everything together.
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour - Flour combines with the eggs to act as a batter and binder.
• ¾ teaspoon salt - Anyone who has ever eaten French fries knows that fried potatoes taste best generously salted.
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper - You can adjust black pepper to taste.
• ⅓ cup finely grated onion - The potato pancakes will carry a noticeable onion flavor, however, onion can be omitted if desired.
• ¼ cup canola oil - Any neutral oil is good for frying, canola is great because it also has a high smoke point.

How to make Kartoffelpuffer

Begin by peeling and shredding your russet potatoes. As they are shredded add them to a large bowl of water. Soaking them in water prevents them from oxidizing and turning gray, brown, and black. In a separate dish combine flour, eggs, and seasonings. Mix together. Squeeze the potatoes of excess liquid then add the potato and onion to the flour mixture and stir to fully combine.

Fry the potato pancakes in a skillet set over medium heat. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the skillet in a thin layer, then add ½ cup of the pancake mixture. Press it flat into a disc and let cook for 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. You will likely have to work in batches to cook it all. You can keep the finished pancakes warm in a 250 degree oven.

What to serve with potato pancakes

Applesauce is the most common accompaniment to German potato pancakes. However, these are also frequently served with yogurt or sour cream. Alternatively, it can be served as a sweet dish with powdered sugar, however, I would personally omit the grated onion if I were serving them with sugar.

More German recipes

• Wiener Schnitzel - A popular breaded veal cutlet served with a lemon dill sauce.
• Homemade Spaetzel - A cross between a dumpling and a noodle.
• German Skillet - A flavorful one-skillet meal feature sausage, potatoes, and onion in a mustard cream sauce.
• Homemade fermented sauerkraut - More crunch and more flavor than store-bought canned sauerkraut.