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    Home » Breakfast » German Potato Pancakes

    German Potato Pancakes

    Last updated on July 3, 2021. Originally posted on August 16, 2017 By Elaine 12 Comments

    466 shares
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    These German potato pancakes are comfort food at its finest. Slightly savory but incredibly delicious, these pancakes satisfy even the pickiest eater. They are that good.

    Close up of four pancakes with syrup poured on them

    Years ago, my German grandmother’s handwritten recipe book went missing. No one in the family knows what happened to it.

    This recipe was in it. I have tried over the years to duplicate it but it always was off a little bit. Until now.

    I can’t begin to tell you how delighted we all were when I finally figured it out. I also figured out how to make her apple pancakes.

    I’m so smart, aren’t I!?

    These pancakes are satisfying, soft, flavorful and with just a hint of maple syrup, you have a treat for a breakfast meal.

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.

    How to make German potato pancakes

    Pre-step

    Get a food processor or grater, mixing bowl, two spatulas – one rubber and one metal and cast iron skillet.

    Step one

    Gather the ingredients – potatoes, egg, flour and salt.

    Potatoes, onion, flour and salt on a grey table

    Step two

    Wash and peel two potatoes. (I wasn’t sure how many potatoes I needed, but two were enough because they are large.)

    Step three

    Cut the potato so they fit in the food processor and process on high for 2 minutes until the potatoes are pulverized.

    A food processor filled with processed potatoes with salt in the background

    Although I didn’t measure the potatoes but I’d say that it was 2 ½ to 3 cups.

    Step four

    Transfer the potatoes to a mixing bowl, add flour, salt and an egg and mix together with a rubber spatula.

    The flour, potatoes, eggs and salt in a glass bowl with a sauté pan in the background

    Red versus green

    You’ve probably grated or processed potatoes before, so you will have noticed that the potato oxidizes, which means it turns a little reddish in color.

    Now, the funny thing is, when you cook the potato pancakes, they turn greenish.  I have no idea why!

    Step five

    Heat a sauté pan on medium. Once it heats up add olive oil and once that shimmers, take a ladle like one you use for gravy and ladle the pancake batter into the pan. I only cook four pancakes at a time.

    Step six

    Cook for 3 minutes on each side.

    Step seven

    As you remove them from the pan to a plate, add a little butter between the pancakes.

    Continue until all the batter is gone.

    This recipe makes 16 potato pancakes.

    Here they all are stacked on a plate.

    A white plate with four stacks of pancakes. There is another plate, syrup and butter in the background

    Now just for fun, I’m going to stack eight of these beauties on a plate together.

    A white plate filled with pancakes with another plate, syrup and butter in the background

    I pour on maple syrup.

    Maple syrup poured on a stack of four pancakes with a plate filled, butter, syrup and a potato in the background

    Let me cut into the pancakes.

    A fork with cut pancakes on it with a plate filled with them and maple syrup in the background

    I can’t talk anymore, I have to eat now.

    But before I do, I hope you enjoyed this German potato pancake recipe.

    And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

    If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below.  I love hearing from you!  You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST  to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!

    A fork with cut pancakes on it with a plate filled with them and maple syrup in the background - square

    German Potato Pancakes

    These potato pancakes are so delicious and easy to make!  They are comfort food for me.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: Breakfast
    Keyword: latke, potato pancakes
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 24 minutes
    Servings: 16 Pancakes
    Calories: 120kcal
    Author: Elaine Benoit

    Ingredients

    • 2 Russet potatoes I used 2 large potatoes
    • 1 egg
    • ½ cup flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil or more as needed

    Instructions

    What to Do

    • Wash and peel potatoes
    • Place potatoes in food processor and process for at least 2 minutes
    • Scrape potatoes in a mixing bowl and add potatoes, egg, flour and salt.  Use a rubber spatula and stir until combined
    • Heat sauté pan on medium heat
    • Add oil and heat it up
    • Use the ladle and scoop a dollop of batter in the pan.  I do four at a time
    • Cook for 3 minutes on each side, until they are browned
    • Keep adding batter until all the batter is used up
    • Butter each pancake
    • Plate four pancakes
    • Pour maple syrup on pancakes
    • Eat pancakes
    • Smile
    • Enjoy

    Equipment

    food processor
    8 cup measuring bowl
    rubber spatula
    sauté pan
    See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

    Notes

    Calories and nutritional do not include the maple syrup you will put on the pancakes!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4Pancakes | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 119mg | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 1.5mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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    This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you,  if you click the link and buy. You can read my disclosure here.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish

      August 16, 2017 at 10:41 am

      Never tried potato pancakes! Now, I must!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 16, 2017 at 11:45 am

        They are so good Suzy!

        Reply
    2. Michele

      August 16, 2017 at 10:55 am

      I love family meals that are about recipes of loved ones. My Dad had compiled all of the family recipes for years, so were lucky we don’t have to recreate them. One of our recipes is for potato pancakes too… ours didn’t have any starch in it, but it makes me want to give this a try to see how it affects the texture! They look so good!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 16, 2017 at 11:45 am

        Thank you Michele! That’s fun with no starch, I’ll have to check your site to see the difference! Thank you for the comment!

        Reply
    3. Deanna

      August 16, 2017 at 11:49 am

      I love potato pancakes!!! I love with sour cream and we eat with applesauce!! This are fab!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 16, 2017 at 12:34 pm

        Deanna, I can imagine sour cream would be delish! I can’t remember if my family ate it like that. I’m feeling yes.

        Reply
    4. Ginny

      August 16, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      I haven’t thought of using my food processor for potato pancakes. Great idea and thanks!

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 16, 2017 at 12:34 pm

        Thank you Ginny! Makes it easier than grating it by hand, that’s for sure.

        Reply
    5. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

      August 16, 2017 at 5:53 pm

      Recreating those “treasured” recipes can be a challenge. I have tried several times with a few from my mom, and failed miserably. When you do have “success” it is such a great feeling. I love potato pancakes, and it certainly looks like your Nana knew what she was doing.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 18, 2017 at 9:49 am

        Thank you so much Gloria!!

        Reply
    6. Christopher

      August 17, 2017 at 9:01 am

      Love the flavor and texture of these pancakes. Really satisfying.

      Reply
      • Elaine

        August 17, 2017 at 9:14 pm

        Thanks Christopher!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Elaine! I'm so glad you stopped by. Here you will find lots of tasty cocktails, comforting food and inspiration for your next meal. I LOVE chocolate, almost all foods, blogging, photography and spending time with my hubby!

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