German Potato Pancakes or Reibekuchen

German Potato Pancakes or “Reibekuchen” is a special German potato dish for all occasions. They are also called “Kartoffelpuffer” or in the South “Kartoffelküchle”. The little pancakes are very popular during the so called “Fastnachtszeit” (during German carnival), and in the Rhineland there is always a booth on the fairs selling them fresh from the skillet. If you like potatoes you should try this simple recipe.
In Germany we like them combined with apple sauce, and the best is to make apple sauce from scratch. – Go to the Recipe for apple sauce –
There are 2 versions to make the potato pancakes: With cooked or raw potatoes. The regular size of one of these pancakes would be comparable to an American pancake. Happy Cooking!

Ingredients Potato Pancakes

With Raw Potatoes
800 g potatoes (Russet)
2 eggs
2 medium sized onions
salt, pepper, nutmeg to taste
2 tbsp flour
clarified butter or taste neutral oil to fry such as avocado oil

Cooking Instructions German Potato Pancakes

– Peel potatoes.
– Chop onions fine.
– Grate potatoes.
– Mix potatoes with eggs, onions and flour.
– Spice to taste.
– Heat oil/butter in a non-stick skillet and add about 2 tablespoons of the potato mix.
– Flatten pancake with a wooden spoon.
– Fry each side until pancake is golden brown.
– Keep the fried pancakes warm but don’t stack them; place them on a plate or baking sheet next to each other. If you stack them they will get soggy.

Serve them on a warm plate with apple sauce.
How To Make Apple Sauce – Recipe

Using Cooked Potatoes

– Boil potatoes, peel and grate them very fine. You can also squeeze them through a potato press.
– Add 2 eggs, copped onions, chopped herbs (2 tbsp parsley and 1 tbsp fresh or dried marjoram)
– Spice with salt, white pepper, nutmeg to taste.
– If needed add 1/4 cup milk (if dough is not smooth enough).
– Make small pancakes.
– Fry them like in instructions above.