German potato pancakes, also known as kartoffelpuffer are fried potato patties made from finely grated potatoes, flour, eggs, grated onion and salt. These can be made using a frying pan or waffle iron.

Commonly served with sweet applesauce, these can also be used as a side dish for any entree.

German potato pancakes (kartoffelpuffer) on a white plate with a bowl of yogurt beside it.

Easy Kartoffelpuffer Pancakes

These pancakes originating from Germany can served with any main dish including rinderroulade, bratwurst, schweinshaxe and sauerkraut.

These pancakes have a savory flavor that lends well to sweetness from apple sauce, apple butter, sour cream or plain yogurt.
Potatoes are shredded in less than 5 minutes using a cheese grater or food processor.
This is a budget-friendly recipe using only 5 simple ingredients. Potatoes are inexpensive and create the perfect crispy exterior.
These are similar to hash browns or latkes but are rounder and thinner.
This recipe uses flour but can easily be substituted with a gluten-free flour, arrowroot flour or corn flour.

Recipe Ingredients

POTATOES: Best potatoes to use are waxy potatoes with middle levels of starch like yukon gold potatoes. I used russet potatoes.
ONION: This is grated in a similar way that the potatoes are.
FLOUR: All-purpose flour is traditionally used in these pancakes. I was able to use gluten-free flour successfully as well. You can also try potato starch, arrowroot flour, or corn flour instead.
VARIATIONS: Try these with leftover cooked mashed potatoes for a variation of the recipe. Chopped green onions, parsley or chives can also be added to the batter.

Four images showing various steps to make the recipe. A white bowl before and after all ingredients are dumped in and mixed. A frying pan with raw pancake patties and then golden brown patties.

How To Make Classic German Potato Pancake Recipe

These crispy cakes are pan fried on each side for golden brown perfection.

Grate potatoes, squeeze out excess liquid according to the full recipe card instructions below.
Add shredded potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and salt to a large bowl. Mix together.
Scoop potato mixture onto a hot pan with butter or oil. Cook on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Serve and enjoy!

TO SERVE: Traditionally these are served with applesauce or sour cream, but also taste wonderful with gravy, apple butter, a spoonful of plain yogurt, salsa or ketchup.

Leftover German pancakes store well in the fridge in an airtight container. These can be reheated in the microwave or pan fried to revive their crispiness.

HOW TO FREEZE: Cooked pancakes can also be frozen! First, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Add to the freezer for 1-2 hours. Then add these frozen cakes to an airtight freezer bag and seal tightly. These will keep for up to 3-4 months for maximum freshness.

Four images showing steps to shred potatoes. First is a pile of grated potato beside a cheese grater. Second is four potaotes, some are peeled with a vegetable peeler. Third image is shredded raw potato in kitchen towel. Four is bowl of brown liquid with kitchen towel and grated potatoes inside.

How To Shred Potatoes

Medium-sized potatoes are easy to shred, but will produce excess liquid.

Wash and scrub the outside of each potato. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the outer skin.
Shred each potato by pressing down the side of a cheese box grater. Keep a towel near as the potatoes will produce excess liquid during this step.
Add the potatoes to a bowl lined with a clean dish towel. Twist the towel with the shredded potatoes inside. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible using your hands to help strain it into a bowl.
Open up the towel and add potatoes to the recipe.

A stack of german potato pancakes close up

Recipe Tips

Do not cook the potatoes before shredding. Raw potatoes are used to make the best kartoffelpuffer.
Strain as much liquid from shredded potatoes as possible. This step is worth it because it will produce the crispiest recipe results.
The frying pan should be hot before adding the pancakes to cook. Adding butter or oil helps fry these rounds extra crispy.
Use a ¼ cup to measure out the batter on to the frying pan. Press each mound flat with a spatula.
Look for golden brown color before flipping the pancakes to the other side. This will take 1-3 minutes.
Store pancakes in between paper towels to absorb excess oil while baking.

A pile of german potato pancakes on a white plate.

More Potato Recipes

Microwaved Potatoes are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. Don't knock it til you try it as these are very delicious!
Potatoes Au Gratin are tender and coated in a cheesy sauce and breadcrumbs.
Crispy parmesan potato wedges are simple and easy.
Air fryer potatoes are crispy and so fast to make.