These delicious German Potato Pancakes are the perfect appetizer or side dish for any meal. Made with crispy potatoes, smoked ham, and onions they are sure to please! Enjoy Kartoffelpuffer with applesauce, sour cream, or your favorite condiment. Either way, you're going to love this easy German Potato Pancakes recipe.
Enjoy Traditional German Potato Pancakes Today!
Try making these German potato pancakes with ham for your next party, potluck, or family dinner. Not only are they delicious, but they also make for a great conversation starter about the origins of this traditional dish
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🥘 Ingredients
To make Kartoffelpuffer with ham, you will need the following ingredients:
- Potatoes: Russet potatoes provide the necessary starchiness, forming the pancake's foundation.
- Egg: Acts as a binding agent, keeping the potato mixture intact.
- Carrot: Grated carrot injects a touch of sweetness and color.
- Thyme: Adds an aromatic subtlety to the pancakes.
- Fresh Herbs: Parsley and chives enhance the dish with their fresh flavors.
- Salt & Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that fine-tune the taste.
- Oil or Butter: Used for frying, they ensure a crispy, golden exterior.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- If you don't have or want to use ham then you can substitute bacon, chorizo or any other type of sausage.
- You can also omit the meat and add extra vegetables like bell pepper, , grated onion, mushrooms, or even sweet potatoes for a vegetarian option.
- Another great substitute is smoked salmon which can be added to your Kartoffelpuffer recipe.
🔪How To Make German Potato Pancakes
- Step 1: Peel the potatoes and chop. Place potato pieces into a steamer or Instant Pot and add thyme. Cook potatoes for 25 minutes on the stovetop or 8 minutes in the pressure cooker. If you have leftover mashed potato mixture, then you can use this instead.
- Step 2: Cut the ham into small cubes, ensuring they are evenly sized to cook uniformly. Use a sharp knife for precision, and consider the dish you'll be adding them to for the desired size.
- Step 3: Shred the carrots and place them in a bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoon of water and cook in the microwave for 3 minutes. The grated carrot will become softer but will remain al dente.
- Step 4: Transfer the potatoes to a bowl and mash them. Add salt, pepper, and egg. Stir the mixture.
- Step 5: In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, starch, chopped herbs, ham, and carrots. Using a spatula or your hands, thoroughly mix the ingredients until smooth. The mixture should be thick and slightly sticky. Divide the mass into 8 parts. Roll each part into a ball. Place the balls on a board greased with vegetable oil.
- Step 6: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly coat it with olive oil or cooking spray. Place the pancakes in the skillet, cooking several at a time without overcrowding. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. Aim for a crispy outside while warming the inside.
- Step 7: When the pancakes are nicely crisp and golden on both sides, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve these authentic German potato pancakes warm, either on their own or with Greek yogurt, a drizzle of olive oil, or sprinkled with extra chopped herbs for a touch of freshness.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Be sure to chop the potatoes into small cubes so they cook faster and evenly.
- Boil or steam the potatoes ahead of time for easier preparation.
- Don't over-mix the mixture, as this will make it too sticky.
- If you are using grated potato then add extra starch and egg to bind the mixture together.
💭FAQ'S
Kartoffelpuffer is a traditional German dish made from mashed potatoes, eggs, flour, and onions. The German pototo pancake mixture is then formed into small pancakes or patties and pan-fried in butter or oil.
This dish can be served with various accompaniments and is a popular side dish or snack. Kartoffelpuffer is easy to make at home and is a great way to use up leftover Mashed Potatoes.
Kartoffelpuffer are popular in many parts of Germany, but it is particularly well-known in the North. Hamburg, Bremen, and Schleswig-Holstein are some of the regions where you will find this potato dish served very commonly.
The dish can also be found in various restaurants throughout the country. Kartoffelpuffer is a great way to experience German cuisine and it's an easy dish to make at home.
Wondering how to prounce Kartoffelpuffer? Here is a break down of the sounds: Car-tawf-el-pooffer.
Yes! Of course you can use grated potatoes or shredded potatoes instead of mashed. The main difference is the texture.
Grated potatoes will give you a crunchier outside while mashed potatoes will give a softer inside.
Be sure to squeeze out any excess moisture from the grated potatoes before adding them to the mixture.
If using grated potatoes, increase the amount of starch and egg to bind the mixture.
The best potatoes for Kartoffelpuffer are starchy varieties like russet potatoes or Yukon golds. These types of potatoes will hold up better during the cooking process and will help give your pancakes a nice crispy texture.
For this recipe, you can either boil the potatoes first or use already cooked mashed potatoes for an easier preparation. Either way these German pancakes will be amazing.
No. Potato pancakes, also known as Kartoffelpuffer, are different from Latkes.
Latkes are usually made with grated potatoes and onions and typically served with applesauce or sour cream. They are a traditional dish of Eastern European Jewish cuisine.
Kartoffelpuffer is a German potato pancake that includes mashed potatoes, ham and herbs. It is usually served as a side dish or snack. Both are delicious and worth trying! Enjoy!
Kartoffelpuffers are delicious served on their own but adding a sauce can really take this dish to the next level. Here are some of our favorite sauces and condiments to serve with Kartoffelpuffer:
Apple Sauce
Sour Cream
Ketchup
Mustard
Apple cider vinegar
Maple syrup
Yogurt Herb Sauce
Cranberry Sauce
🧂Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite side dishes to serve with German Potato Pancakes:
- Applesauce: A classic pairing with Kartoffelpuffer, the sweetness of the applesauce complements the savory flavor of the potato pancakes. You can serve it on the side or even dollop it on top for extra indulgence.
- Sour Cream: Another traditional accompaniment, sour cream adds a creamy and tangy contrast to the crispy Kartoffelpuffer. You can garnish it with chopped chives or dill for a pop of freshness.
- Beet Cured Salmon: For a more gourmet touch, serve Kartoffelpuffer with thinly sliced smoked salmon and a dollop of crème fraîche. The combination of flavors and textures is simply divine.
- Charred Corn Salad: A light salad of mixed greens dressed with a simple vinaigrette is a refreshing side dish that balances the richness of the potato pancakes. You can add cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and radishes for extra crunch and color.
- Bratwurst or Sausages: Serve Kartoffelpuffer alongside grilled bratwurst or your favorite sausages for a hearty and satisfying meal. It's a classic combination that never disappoints.
🍽 Related Recipes
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German Potato Pancakes With Ham
Ingredients
- 2 Potatoes
- ½ cup Diced Smoked Ham
- 1 Small Carrot
- 1 Egg Beaten
- 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 Sprigs Thyme
- ¼ Cup Fresh Herbs Finely Chopped
- Pinch Salt And Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil For Cooking
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and chop. Place potato pieces into a steamer or Instant Pot and add thyme. Cook potatoes for 25 minutes on the stove top or 8 minutes in the pressure cooker.
- If you have left over mashed potato mixture then you can use this instead.
- Cut the ham into small cubes.
- Shred the carrots and place them in a bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoon of water and cook in the microwave for 3 minutes. The grated carrot will become softer but will remain al dente.
- Transfer the potatoes to a bowl, mash them. Add salt, pepper and egg. Stir the mixture.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, starch, chopped herbs, ham and carrots.
- Using a spatula or your hands, thoroughly mix the ingredients until smooth. The mixture should be thick and slightly sticky.
- Divide the mass into 8 parts. Roll each part into a ball. Place the balls on a board greased with vegetable oil.
- Step Seven: Cook The German Potato Pancakes
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add a little olive oil or use cooking spray to lightly coat the surface.
- Place the pancakes int he large skillet.
- Depending on the size of the pan, you can cook several pancakes at a time, but don't overload the pan.
- Cook the pancakes for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side or until golden brown. Gently flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the other side. The goal is to achieve a crispy outside while warming the inside at the same time.Serve and enjoy: When the pancakes are nicely crisp and golden on both sides, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serve these authentic german potato pancakes warm, either on their own or with Greek yogurt, a drizzle of olive oil, or sprinkled with extra chopped herbs for a touch of freshness.
Notes
Nutrition
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wonderful i am now addicted
These German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer) are a crispy, savory delight! I love how the smoked ham adds a rich flavor to the traditional recipe. They're perfect with a dollop of sour cream or a side of applesauce. Let me know if you give them a try!