To make potato pancakes, shredded potatoes are mixed with flour and seasonings, bound together with an egg, shaped into patties, and then pan fried to perfection.
Potato pancakes are versatile and make a tasty side with hearty soups and stews and meaty mains, or alongside a hot breakfast.Like homemade Tater Tots, potato pancakes provide a fun, individual potato serving.While this recipe is easy, if you are looking for more of a shortcut, Hash Brown Casserole utilizes pre-shredded, frozen hash browns, cooked in one go in a casserole dish.
How to Make Easy Potato Pancakes
Shredding and draining the potatoes is the biggest step, then you just mix, form patties, and cook! These pancakes are superb straight off the griddle.
The Ingredients
Potatoes. Russet potatoes are the best potatoes for potato pancakes because they are extra starchy and bind and crisp up well. Yukon gold potatoes are denser. Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamin C, as well as vitamin B6, potassium and manganese.
Eggs. The essential ingredient for potato pancakes to bind everything together.White Whole Wheat Flour. One of my subtle, healthy swaps is white whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour, as whole wheat has more fiber and protein content than all purpose.
Seasoning. Fairly bland on their own, potatoes must be seasoned. Onion powder, freshly ground black pepper, and plenty of salt give them a perfect savory flavor. No lingering garlic breath with my potato pancakes!Canola Oil. A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point is the ticket for pan frying.
Plan Greek Yogurt. I could really be a saleswoman for Greek yogurt. It is a no-brainer healthy swap for sour cream; no fat, plus a punch of protein.Applesauce. The sweetness of the applesauce lightens up the crispy potato pancake and makes them perfectly balanced. Homemade is worth it! For an easy recipe, whip up some Crockpot Applesauce or Instant Pot Applesauce.
The Directions
Tips for the Best Potato Pancakes
Wring out as much moisture as possible from the shredded potatoes to ensure they crisp.Sufficiently heating oil in the pan prior to placing the patty in the pan is the key to a properly crispy potato pancake.The oil is hot enough when you drop a small amount of the potato mixture onto the surface and it sizzles.
Storage Tips
To Store. After cooling, leftover potato pancakes can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.To Reheat. Reheat leftovers in the oven at 400 degrees F for five to 10 minutes.To Freeze. Potato pancakes can be frozen for up to 2 months. First flash freeze by laying pancakes flat on a baking sheet and placing in the freezer for 30 minutes, and then transfer to a freezer Ziploc bag. Reheat in oven directly from frozen for 15 to 20 minutes at 400 degrees F.
What to Serve with Potato Pancakes
Potato pancakes are scrumptious on their own, dipped in the traditional sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and applesauce. You can also pair them with breakfast and dinner items, such as the following:
Canola oil, vegetable oil, peanut oil, and grapeseed oil would all work.I prefer canola oil as it is the most heart healthy and is always in my cabinet.
Salsa and the Best GuacamoleCooked, crumbled Air Fryer Bacon bits or Baked Bacon and shredded cheddar cheesePickled OnionsJalapeñosChives and plain Greek yogurt or sour creamAir Fryer Onion RingsMashed avocado and a fried eggSmoked Salmon Dip
Breakfast Favorites. Crustless Quiche; Eggs in Purgatory; Savory Crepes.Salmon. For a twist on lox and cream cheese. Try Poached Salmon, Broiled Salmon, or Baked Salmon.BBQ. Crispy potatoes (like Air Fryer French Fries) and BBQ are besties. Try Slow Cooker Pulled Pork or Crockpot BBQ Chicken.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Mandolin. This multi-blade veggie chopper and grater really does it all. A food processor is also an easy way to quickly shred potatoes.Oil Dispenser. It’s nice storing cooking oils in these containers to keep them fresh and make for easy pouring when cooking.Nesting Mixing Bowls. I use these bowls for all my baking and cooking. They all fit together for easy storage and wash well in the dishwasher.
If you have never tried potato pancakes, I’m thrilled to introduce you to your new favorite side dish! Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.
Homemade Fries
45 mins
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Oven Roasted Potatoes
1 hr 10 mins