Perfect Crispy Potato Pancakes! The Only Potato Pancakes Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Stack of five golden brown pancakes on a white surface with soft natural lighting

Summary:

  • These potato pancakes are crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and perfect for any mealtime.

  • Choose waxy potatoes, grate finely, and remove moisture to achieve the ideal texture for your pancakes.

  • Mix ingredients carefully, fry in warm oil, and serve hot for the crispiest, most delicious potato pancakes.

Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside these potato pancakes are comfort food at its finest. Using just a few basic ingredients and some clever tricks, you can ensure your pancakes are always perfectly crispy. Perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner, these easy potato pancakes will become a family favourite you won’t tire of.

 

Ingredients

Five potatoes, two brown eggs, piles of flour, and small amounts of red and green spices on a white surface

To make these crispy potato pancakes, you’ll need a few pantry staples. You’ll need fresh potatoes, a binder such as eggs and flour. Spices provide taste, and oil is used to fry them to that perfect golden brown.

 

Choosing The Right Potatoes

Six yellow potatoes on a light surface with soft shadows and natural lighting

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You’ll want waxy potatoes, which crisp up nicely. Waxy potatoes have more moisture and will lead to mushy pancakes.

 

Prepping The Potatoes

Close-up of cooked yellow couscous grains on a white surface.

Finely grate the potatoes and then squeeze out any excess moisture using a cloth or paper towel. This prevents the pancakes from frying to a crispy finish.

 

Mixing The Batter

Pile of uncooked couscous grains on a gray surface with a plain background

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Add the grated potatoes to a mixture of eggs, flour and spices. Mix just enough to bind everything together without overworking the mixture, which can affect the final texture of your pancakes.

 

Getting the Oil Temperature Right

Empty metal baking sheet on stovetop with two stainless steel saucepans in the background

Warm oil in a skillet until it shimmers, but not to the point where it is smoking. This will help the pancakes cook properly, giving them a crisp exterior with a fluffy interior.

 

Shaping the Pancakes

Rows of thin, round yellow corn tortillas drying on a flat surface with sunlight and shadows.

Use a small amount of the batter and spread it thinly. This ensures even cooking and a crispy texture without an undercooked (and dense) center.

 

Frying to Perfection

Four golden brown potato latkes frying in a black cast iron skillet with oil bubbles visible

Flip and cook until both sides are golden brown. Don’t overfill the pan, as this can reduce the oil’s temperature and lead to less crisp pancakes with an inconsistent texture.

 

Draining and Serving

Four golden brown potato latkes on white parchment paper with a rolled white towel in the background

Drain the oil from the cooked pancakes onto paper towels. It is best to serve them as soon as they’re ready while they’re hot to maintain the crunch.

 

Flavor Variations

Golden brown potato latkes with herbs on a white plate

You can enhance the flavor by adding grated onions, herbs, or spices to the mixture. You can also add cheese or garlic to the mix for a different twist.

 

Pro Tips for Extra Crispiness

close-up of a golden brown, crispy pancake with a textured surface on a dark plate

Ensure you get as much moisture out of the potatoes as possible and don’t stack them once cooked. Serve immediately after cooking for the best flavour and top with your favourite condiment or even a small serving of yogurt

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