Easy Golden Potato Pancakes Recipe: Your Crispy Breakfast Win

Crispy potato pancakes craft humble ingredients into a delectable culinary experience that promises comfort and satisfaction.

These golden-brown delights blend rustic charm with culinary creativity, offering a delightful twist on traditional comfort food.

Skilled home cooks appreciate how potato pancakes combine simple ingredients with remarkable texture and flavor.

The magic lies in their versatile nature, equally suited to breakfast tables or evening gatherings.

Ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious dish that speaks to both tradition and innovation.

potato pancakes represent more than just a recipe—they embody cultural heritage and personal connection to home cooking.

Crisp edges, soft centers, and a rich golden hue make these pancakes irresistible for anyone seeking a hearty and memorable meal.

Potato Pancakes That Hit the Comfort Spot

• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: These potato pancakes deliver crispy golden exteriors with soft, tender interiors that instantly win over family and friends at any gathering.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: Simple grating and squeezing technique ensures maximum crispiness without complicated steps, making this recipe perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Versatile Comfort Food: Enjoy these pancakes as a delightful breakfast, satisfying side dish, or hearty appetizer that works wonderfully with classic condiments like applesauce or sour cream.
• Super Fast Preparation: From start to finish, these potato pancakes come together in under 30 minutes, offering a quick and delicious solution for hungry hungry crowds craving something warm and crispy.

All the Ingredients for Golden Potato Cakes

• Potatoes: Starchy base that provides texture and substance for the pancakes, choose firm and fresh potatoes without sprouts or green spots.
• Onion: Adds sharp flavor and aromatic depth to the potato pancakes, select fresh onions with no soft spots.
• Eggs: Crucial binding agent that helps hold the pancakes together, use fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Flour: Helps create structure and crispness in the pancakes, all-purpose flour works best.
• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential seasonings that enhance overall flavor profile, choose fresh and high-quality spices.
• Vegetable Oil: Provides medium-high heat for frying and creating crispy golden-brown exterior, neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil are ideal.
• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil and absorbing grease from cooked pancakes.

• Applesauce: Sweet and tangy condiment that complements the savory pancakes.
• Sour Cream: Creamy topping that adds richness and cooling contrast to the crispy pancakes.

How to Make Pancakes with a Crisp Exterior

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Wash and peel the potatoes. Use a box grater with large holes to shred potatoes and onion into a clean kitchen towel.

Step 2: Remove Excess Moisture

Twist the kitchen towel tightly to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the potato and onion mixture.

Step 3: Create the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, flour, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until the mixture is completely smooth with no flour clumps.

Step 4: Combine Potato Mixture

Fold the shredded potato and onion into the egg batter, mixing thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Step 5: Heat the Cooking Surface

Place a 12-inch skillet on the stove and pour vegetable oil to cover the bottom. Heat over medium-high until the oil shimmers and looks hot.

Step 6: Form the Pancakes

Carefully drop quarter-cup portions of the potato mixture into the hot oil. Listen for a satisfying sizzle- this means the oil is perfect.

Step 7: Shape and Cook

Use a spatula to gently press down the potato mixture, creating a flat pancake shape. Cook for 3-5 minutes on each side until a deep golden brown color develops.

Step 8: Drain and Season

Transfer the cooked potato pancakes to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Sprinkle with an extra pinch of salt.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the crispy potato pancakes and serve immediately with a side of applesauce or sour cream if desired.

Smart Tips for Flipping Without Breakage

• Squeeze Out Moisture: Thoroughly wring the potato and onion mixture in a clean kitchen towel to remove excess liquid, ensuring crispy and golden pancakes.
• Check Oil Temperature: Listen for a sizzle when adding potato mixture to the skillet- this indicates the perfect heat for creating a crunchy exterior.
• Don't Overcrowd Pan: Fry only four pancakes at a time to maintain oil temperature and prevent soggy results.
• Press for Thin Crispiness: Gently flatten the potato mixture with a spatula to create thin, extra-crispy pancakes with maximum golden-brown edges.
• Season Immediately: Sprinkle salt right after cooking to enhance flavor and help the seasoning stick to the hot surface of the pancakes.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Place cooled potato pancakes in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual pancakes in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag for maximum 1 month.
• Reheat: Crisp potato pancakes in a preheated 375°F oven for 10 minutes, or warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through and crispy.

Pairing Ideas That Complement These Pancakes

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: A chilled, slightly sweet German Riesling cuts through the potato pancakes' richness, balancing the crispy texture with its bright, acidic notes.
• Match with Tangy Dill Yogurt: Whip up a quick dip using Greek yogurt, fresh dill, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice to complement the pancakes' savory profile.
• Serve alongside Roasted Beet Salad: A light, earthy beet salad with goat cheese and toasted walnuts provides a refreshing contrast to the golden, crispy potato pancakes.
• Complement with Apple Chutney: A homemade spiced apple chutney adds a sweet-tart dimension that elevates the traditional sour cream or applesauce accompaniment.

Fun Variations on This Savory Classic

• Herbed Potato Sensation: Add fresh chopped dill, chives, and parsley to the potato mixture for an aromatic herb-infused version that brings bright, garden-fresh flavors to traditional potato pancakes.
• Cheesy Potato Crunch: Mix in shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese before frying, creating a crispy exterior with melted cheese pockets that add richness and depth to each bite.
• Spicy Southwest Potato Rounds: Incorporate diced jalapeños, ground cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper into the batter, then serve with a zesty salsa or cilantro-lime sour cream for a bold, southwestern-inspired take on classic potato pancakes.
• Smoky Bacon Potato Pancakes: Fold in crispy, crumbled bacon bits and a touch of smoked paprika to introduce a savory, smoky element that elevates the traditional recipe with irresistible meaty undertones.

Potato Pancakes Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Polish potato pancakes deliver crispy golden perfection with rustic charm. Sizzling from the skillet, these latkes promise a delightful journey through traditional Eastern European comfort that welcomes you to savor each expertly crafted bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 russet potatoes, peeled and grated (approx. 4 cups)
• 1 medium sweet onion, peeled and grated
• 2 large eggs

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Ingredient:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) vegetable oil (more may be needed)

Serving Options:

• Sour cream
• Applesauce

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly scrub and remove the skin from the potatoes, ensuring no blemishes remain.
2. Select a sturdy box grater and carefully shred the potatoes and onion using the largest cutting surface, creating delicate, wispy strands.
3. Position the shredded potato and onion mixture into the center of a pristine kitchen towel, gathering the edges tightly.
4. Apply firm pressure while twisting the towel, extracting maximum moisture until the mixture appears significantly drier.
5. Prepare a spacious mixing bowl and whisk together eggs, flour, seasonings until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency.
6. Fold the dehydrated potato-onion blend into the egg mixture, ensuring thorough and uniform integration.
7. Select a generously sized skillet and warm the cooking oil over medium-high temperature, watching for slight shimmer and subtle rippling.
8. Test oil readiness by listening for an immediate, enthusiastic sizzle when potato mixture contacts the surface.
9. Carefully deposit rounded portions of the mixture into the hot oil, using a spatula to gently flatten into circular shapes.
10. Allow pancakes to transform into a rich, golden-brown color, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, adjusting heat as necessary.
11. Transfer crispy pancakes onto an absorbent paper towel surface, delicately seasoning with a final salt sprinkle.
12. Complement the potato pancakes with traditional accompaniments like tangy applesauce or creamy sour cream.

Notes

• Squeeze out excess moisture from potatoes and onions to ensure crispy, golden-brown pancakes that don’t turn soggy.
• Check oil temperature by listening for a sizzle when adding potato mixture, which guarantees perfect texture and even cooking.
• Press down gently with a spatula while frying to create uniform, thin pancakes that crisp up beautifully.
• Use a clean kitchen towel to remove maximum liquid, preventing splatter and helping pancakes achieve maximum crunchiness.
• Serve immediately after cooking for the best taste and texture, with optional toppings like applesauce or sour cream.
• Adjust heat if pancakes brown too quickly, ensuring a crisp exterior without burning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Jewish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 70mg