European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (2024)

ByEdyta

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These European Style Potato Pancakes are a very popular dish throughout Europe. In Poland, they are known as ‘Placki Ziemniaczane,’ in Germany as ‘Kartoffelpuffer,’ in the Czech Republic as ‘Bramboracky,’ and of course, every Jewish deli refers to them as ‘Potato Latkes.’

This Potato Pancake recipe is super easy. The old fashion way of making them required shredding by hand. However for this recipe, there’s no shredding of potatoes involved….the blender does the job for you.

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European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (1)

Potato Pancakes – Very Popular Dish Across Europe

I grew up in Poland where Potato Pancakes (Placki Zimeniaczane) are among the most popular dishes. And I know for a fact that Kartoffelpuffer (German Potato Panaces) and Bramboracky (Czech Potato Pancakes) are equally popular in their respective countries. Every kid I know loves them!

Yet, in Poland the kids usually favor them sprinkled with some sugar. Although this is a really popular way of serving Potato Pancakes, it wasn’t really my cup of tea. I don’t know why, but I’ve always preferred savory over sweet, so I like my Potato Pancakes with sour cream and scallions.

I also love them as a side dish. See below suggestions on what to serve these best Potato Pancakes with.

European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (2)

How to Make Potato Pancakes

The worst part of making Potato Pancakes was shredding the potatoes and the onions and cloves of garlic. It was time-consuming, hard, and also dangerous (you could shred your knuckles). I’ve since found a much easier way to make them. And their taste and texture are still phenomenal. I use a simple blender.

For the Ingredients you will need:

  • About 3 cups of cubed potatoes (yellow or white potatoes are best for this recipe);
  • Half of a medium sized Sweet Onion;
  • 1 garlic clove;
  • 1 egg;
  • 1/3 cup of flour;
  • And some salt & pepper.

European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (3)

Easy Steps to Make Potato Pancakes

Step 1:Add potatoes to the blender and blend for a few minutes, until they release their juices.

Step 2: Then add onions and garlic and blend for a few more minutes.

Step 3: Once it’s completely blended, pour the mixture through a thin mesh strainer and let it sit for about 10 minutes. You want to get rid of the extra moisture.

European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (4)

Step 4: After 10 minutes, pour the mixture into a bowl and add egg, flour, salt, and pepper, then mix together.

Step 5:Heat up a little bit of oil in a pan and fry up a test pancake.

European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (5)

Sep 6: Flip it and fry it on the other side.

Step 7: Then take it out and place it on a paper towel, dry out and taste it. If the pancake needs more salt or pepper, you should adjust seasoning and fry up the remaining pancakes.

European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (6)

And here they are…beautiful, golden brown, scrumptious Placki Ziemniaczane, Kartoffelpuffer, Bamboracky or Potato Latkas. Can you resist them?

What to serve Potato Pancakes with?

As I mentioned above you can sprinkle them with sugar and serve with sour cream, or for a savory version sprinkle them with some scallions. You can also serve them as a side dish. Here are a couple of my suggestions:

European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (7)

Equipment Needed To Make Potato Pancakes

Here are a couple of items that are needed to make these pancakes. You probably have most of these items already at home:

  • Blender, to process potatoes, onions, and garlic;
  • Strainer, to release the moisture from potatoes;
  • Measuring Cup, to measure the potatoes and the flour;
  • Glass Bowl, to mix the batter in;
  • Frying pan, to fry up your pancakes.

Other Famous European Recipes to Try

European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (8)

European Style Potato Pancakes

These European Style Potato Pancakes are a very popular dish across Europe. In Poland, they are known as Placki Ziemniaczane, in Germany as Kartoffelpuffer, in Czech Republic Bramboracky as well as in every Jewish deli, known as "Potato Latkes".

This Potato Pancakes recipe is super easy. The old fashion way of making them required shredding by hand. There is no shredding of potatoes involved. The blender does the job for you.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Czech, European, German, Polish

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Straining time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 3

Calories: 284kcal

Author: Edyta

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Potatoes Cubed, yellow or white
  • 1/2 Onions Sweet, chopped in big cubes
  • 1 clove Garlic
  • 1/3 cup Flour
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Cooking Oil for frying
  • Sour cream optional for serving
  • Scallions optional for serving

Instructions

  • Place the potatoes in a blender and blend for 2 minutes until they release moisture

  • Add onions and garlic and blend for another minute

  • Pour the mixture through a thin mesh strainer and let it sit for 10 minutes

  • After 10 minutes pour the mixture into the bowl

  • Add egg, flour, salt, and pepper and mix together

  • Heat up a tablespoon of oil and fry up a test pancake

  • Taste it and adjust seasoning of the mixture if needed

  • Add oil as needed and fry up the remaining of the pancakes

Notes

From this recipe, I made about 10 pancakes. I calculated per person as a serving. If you need more, double the ingredients.

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 818mg | Potassium: 929mg | Fiber: 5g | Vitamin A: 80IU | Vitamin C: 25.6mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 7.7mg

Tried this recipe?Show me @eatingeuropean or tag #eatingeuropean!

Read about the author Edyta here or follow Eating European on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

This post was originally published on March 6, 2016, and since then was updated to provide additional information.

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European Style Potato Pancakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between latkes and German potato pancakes? ›

The potato pancake is much simpler, with nothing but raw grated potatoes, egg, and all-purpose flour. The latke, on the other hand, adds baking powder, matzo meal, and even a splash of milk, according to Cooktoria. Surprisingly, the potato pancake has a longer preparation time due to the simplicity of its batter.

What country is potato pancakes from? ›

Although many Americans associate potato pancakes with Hanukkah, they have more broad origins. They originated in the eastern European countries of Germany Austria, Russia and Poland as a peasant food. Potatoes were cheap, plentiful and easy to store, making them a staple and necessitating inventive potato recipes.

What is the difference between potato cakes and potato pancakes? ›

This comes from the way they are prepared. Pancakes are made from finely grated potatoes, whereas, latkes are larger gratings. This makes the latkes crunchier than the pancakes. Both contain binding ingredients such as eggs and flour.

What is the best oil for potato pancakes? ›

Vegetable oil or canola oil is usually best, because of its high smoking point. Latkes were traditionally made with schmaltz, or chicken fat, so if you have access to it, you should certainly add it in, because it does contribute to the flavor.

Why do Jews make latkes? ›

These potato pancakes (called latkes) are meant to symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah, when the oil of the menorah in the ransacked Second Temple of Jerusalem was able to stay aflame for eight days even though there was only enough oil for one day. The symbolism comes in the form of the oil in which latkes are fried.

Why are my German pancakes not fluffy? ›

Why Didn't My Dutch Baby Puff Up? Like popovers and Yorkshire pudding, the thing that gives Dutch babies their signature puff is steam. In order for that steam to work the pancake into its signature peaks and valleys, you need two things: enough air in a well-developed batter and a piping-hot pan and oven.

Why do my potato pancakes fall apart? ›

If the potato pancakes are falling apart while you're shaping them before you start cooking, they are either either too wet or they need more flour to hold them together. You can also mix the flour a little more the mix to develop gluten and then let it rest before cooking.

What are Dutch pancakes made of? ›

A Dutch pancake is usually larger and much thinner than the thick and fluffy American pancakes. If you order a Dutch pancake at PANCAKES Amsterdam, you will get a delicious thin pancake with a diameter of 32 centimeters. Pancakes are made of basic ingredients, namely flour, milk, salt, and eggs.

Why do Jews eat applesauce with latkes? ›

Tradition says so. Latkes are usually served at dinnertime along with a meaty main, like brisket. Mixing milk and meat at the same meal is a no-no for those who keep kosher, so sour cream would be out as a latke condiment leaving the underdog apple sauce victorious.

What culture eats potato pancakes? ›

It is the national dish of Belarus, Ukraine and Slovakia. In Germany, potato pancakes are eaten either salty (as a side dish) or sweet with apple sauce, or blueberries, sugar and cinnamon; they are a very common menu item during outdoor markets and festivals in colder seasons.

How do you reheat potato pancakes so they are crispy? ›

– Always serve latkes hot and fresh if possible.

When ready to reheat, place in a 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes (7 if using a convection oven) until heated through just prior to serving. A convection oven setting will produce a more crispy result.

What are potato cakes called in America? ›

In some states it's known as a 'potato scallop', in others it's a 'potato cake', and for years the debate has been bantered back and forward between protagonists. “It might be a 'scallop' of potato but let's not confuse it with a serve of scallops!

What are potato cakes called in England? ›

What do British people call potato cakes? - Quora. It seems the Irish call them Potato bread, the English call them potato cakes (Lancashire), Scottish call them potato scones (tottie scones).

What do British people call potato cakes? ›

Bubble and Squeak (or Potato Cakes) is a British classic, and an easy and flexible recipe. You can make it from scratch OR use up leftover veggies. Flavorful, colorful, fluffy, creamy and so so good. Perfect as a breakfast or brunch recipe!

Why are they called German pancakes? ›

German pancakes and Dutch babies are essentially the same thing, but the dish is said to have originated in Germany, not the Netherlands. The term “Dutch baby” was coined by an American restaurateur whose use of “Dutch” was a corruption of the word “Deutsch” (“German” in German).

What is another name for German pancakes? ›

A Dutch baby pancake, sometimes called a German pancake, a Bismarck, a Dutch puff, Hooligan, or a Hootenanny, is a dish that is similar to a large Yorkshire pudding.

What's the difference between German and American pancakes? ›

How are German Pancakes different than American Pancakes? German pancakes use a whole lot more eggs and no added leavening agent. German Pancakes are also baked in the oven to a golden perfection.

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