Here’s a complete guide to potato pancakes—classic, crispy, and flavorful:
Crispy Potato Pancakes Recipe
Potato pancakes, also called latkes in Jewish cuisine or kartoffelpuffer in German cooking, are a simple, satisfying dish made from grated potatoes. They can be served as a side, a snack, or even a main course.
Ingredients (Makes 4–6 pancakes)
- 2 large potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold work best)
- 1 small onion
- 1 large egg
- 2–3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or potato starch)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or sunflower oil works well)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, applesauce, smoked salmon, or chives
Instructions
- Grate the potatoes and onion
- Peel the potatoes and grate them using a box grater or food processor.
- Grate the onion as well.
- Remove excess moisture
- Place the grated mixture in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This ensures crispy pancakes.
- Mix the batter
- In a bowl, combine the grated potatoes and onion with the egg, flour, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Heat the oil
- Pour enough oil into a large skillet to cover the bottom (about 2–3 tablespoons) and heat over medium-high heat.
- Fry the pancakes
- Spoon the mixture into the skillet, shaping small patties about 2–3 inches wide.
- Fry 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Adjust heat as needed to avoid burning.
- Drain and serve
- Remove the pancakes and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve hot with sour cream, applesauce, or your favorite topping.
Tips for Perfect Potato Pancakes
- Grate finely: The finer the potatoes, the crispier the pancakes.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in batches for even cooking.
- Keep warm in oven: If making multiple batches, keep cooked pancakes in a low oven (about 200°F / 95°C) to stay warm and crispy.
- Variations: Add garlic, herbs like parsley, or grated cheese to the batter for extra flavor.
Would you like me to also make a quick 5-minute version of potato pancakes for when you’re short on time?