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The Recipe · No.291 · Potato Pancakes

Potato Pancakes, and where to source it

Potato Pancakes — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Potato Pancakes German 5best2buy.com

Starchy russets and ruthless draining are the whole game; wet batter steams instead of crisping. Wring the grated potato in a towel until it stops dripping, then work fast before it oxidizes gray.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook15 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineGerman
Cost$$
Vegetarian
Contains  dairy · eggs · gluten
Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Russet potatoes
High-starch potatoes bind themselves and fry crisp; waxy ones stay soggy.
2 lb
Eggs
Two eggs bind the shreds so the cakes hold together in the pan.
2
Flour
A couple spoonfuls soaks up stray moisture and helps them set.
3 tbsp
Sour cream
The traditional cool, tangy partner dolloped over the hot cakes.
1 cup
Onion
Grated in with the potato, it seasons from the inside and slows browning-gray.
1
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence.
EffortEasy
Cook it with
Stovetop
The Method
  1. GrateGrate potatoes and onion on the large holes; pile into a clean towel.
  2. WringTwist the towel hard and wring out every drop of liquid you can; this is what makes them crisp.
  3. BindMix in egg, flour, and salt quickly, before the potato turns gray.
  4. FryFry thin mounds in a quarter-inch of hot oil at 350F until deep gold, 3 to 4 minutes a side.
The Toolkit

Box grater · Potato ricer towel · Cast iron skillet · Fish spatula · Wire rack

Straight Answers
Can you make Potato Pancakes in an air fryer? — Not really

Not really — loose batter spreads and needs a flat, hot surface. Keep this one on the stovetop or griddle.

Can you freeze Potato Pancakes? — Not ideal

You can, but the crisp coating softens. Freeze the cooked pieces, then re-crisp them in a hot oven or air fryer — never the microwave.

Can you make Potato Pancakes ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Potato Pancakes gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Potato Pancakes vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has dairy and egg. Make it vegan: use plant milk, oil, or a vegan cheese for the dairy, and a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

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