I’ve been messing around in the kitchen lately and decided to whip up these Kartoffelpuffer from scratch, and let me tell you, they’re the kinda crispy, golden goodness that totally brightens up even the dullest day when you need a little comfort food fix.

I love Klassische Kartoffelpuffer Erdaepfelpuffer because they’re simple yet tasty. I use about 1 kg of mehligkochend potatoes, a finely grated onion, eggs, flour, salt, pepper and sometimes a pinch of nutmeg.
I think frying them in oil creates a delightful crispness and balanced nutritional meal.
Ingredients

- Kartoffeln give lots of carbs and fiber for a hearty meal.
- Zwiebel adds a tangy, slightly sweet kick and loads of flavor.
- Eier bring in protein and help bind the whole mix together.
- Weizenmehl offers structure and extra carbs, making the batter just right.
- Salz lifts all the natural tastes without overpowering the dish.
- Pfeffer adds a bit of spice to keep things interesting.
- Muskatnuss, though small, adds a warm, nutty note overall.
- Öl fries the puffers to a delightfully crisp golden finish.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 kg Kartoffeln (am besten mehligkochend, grob gerieben)
- 1 mittelgroße Zwiebel (fein gerieben, gut ausdrücken)
- 2 Eier
- 2-3 EL Weizenmehl
- 1 TL Salz
- Frisch gemahlener schwarzer Pfeffer nach Geschmack
- Eine Prise Muskatnuss (optional für extra Geschmack)
- Öl zum Braten (zum Beispiel Sonnenblumen- oder Rapsöl)
How to Make this
1. First, peel your potatoes if they aren’t already prepared then grate them coarsely – it’s best to use mealy ones for a nicer texture.
2. Grate the onion finely into a bowl and be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible so your patties wont turn soggy.
3. In a big bowl, mix the grated potatoes and onion together.
4. Crack the eggs right into the bowl and stir them in well.
5. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of wheat flour, one teaspoon of salt, and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
6. For an extra kick, throw in just a pinch of nutmeg if you like its flavour.
7. Preheat a good amount of oil (sunflower or canola works best) in a frying pan over medium heat.
8. Scoop generous spoonfuls of your mixture into the pan and gently flatten them out to form round patties.
9. Fry each side for about 3 to 4 minutes or until they turn a nice golden brown and crispy.
10. Once done, transfer the patties onto a paper towel to remove excess oil then serve hot and enjoy these delicious Kartoffelpuffer!
Equipment Needed
1. Vegetable peeler – to peel the potatoes
2. Box grater – preferably one with both coarse and fine sides for potatoes and onion
3. Medium bowl – for finely grating the onion and squeezing out excess moisture
4. Large mixing bowl – to combine the grated potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and spices
5. Whisk or fork – to beat and mix the eggs thoroughly into the mixture
6. Measuring spoons – to accurately add salt, pepper and nutmeg
7. Spoon – to scoop generous spoonfuls of the mixture onto the pan
8. Frying pan – a good sized pan for frying the patties in enough oil
9. Slotted spatula – to carefully flip the patties
10. Plate with paper towels – to drain the patties from excess oil once they’re done frying
FAQ
-
Q: What kind of potatoes should I use?
A: It’s best to go with starchy potatoes since they give a fluffier texture when grated. -
Q: Do I need to drain the grated onion?
A: Yes, absolutely. Make sure you squeeze out as much moisture as possible to avoid soggy puffers. -
Q: How do I know when the puffers are done frying?
A: They should turn a nice golden color and feel crispy around the edges; then it’s time to flip them. -
Q: Can I use a different kind of flour?
A: You could try other types, but wheat flour is the classic choice to hold the ingredients together. -
Q: Is the seasoning important?
A: Yes, the salt, pepper, and even a pinch of nutmeg really bring out the flavors of the potatoes and onion. -
Q: What oil should I use for frying?
A: I like using a neutral oil like sunflower or rapeseed oil because it lets the natural flavors shine.
Klassische Kartoffelpuffer Erdaepfelpuffer Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Weizenmehl: If you dont have regular wheat flour or need a gluten-free option, you can replace it with rice flour or buckwheat flour.
- Eier: If you dont have real eggs or need a vegan version, try using a flax egg (mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water) as a substitute.
- Zwiebel: If you want a milder taste, you can substitute a medium onion with one or two shallots or even a couple of green onions.
- Öl: If you dont have sunflower or rapeseed oil handy, vegetable oil or even canola oil works just fine for frying.
Pro Tips
1. One thing that really helps is to squeeze every bit of water out of your grated onion cuz extra moisture can make your patties soggy. It might seem tedious but trust me, it makes a huge difference in how crunchy the Kartoffelpuffer turn out.
2. Another pro trick is to let your potato and egg mix rest for about 5 minutes before you start forming and frying. This gives the flavors a chance to blend and helps the flour to absorb any extra moisture, making your patties hold together better.
3. When you’re ready to fry, don’t crowd the pan. Frying in small batches means each patty gets enough space and heat to turn out golden and crispy all around instead of getting steamed in a crowded pan.
4. Lastly, keep an eye on the heat. If the oil gets too hot, the patties might burn on the outside while still being raw inside. Adjusting the temperature as needed is key for getting that perfect balance between a crispy crust and a cooked-through interior.

Klassische Kartoffelpuffer Erdaepfelpuffer Recipe
My favorite Klassische Kartoffelpuffer Erdaepfelpuffer Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Vegetable peeler – to peel the potatoes
2. Box grater – preferably one with both coarse and fine sides for potatoes and onion
3. Medium bowl – for finely grating the onion and squeezing out excess moisture
4. Large mixing bowl – to combine the grated potatoes, onion, eggs, flour and spices
5. Whisk or fork – to beat and mix the eggs thoroughly into the mixture
6. Measuring spoons – to accurately add salt, pepper and nutmeg
7. Spoon – to scoop generous spoonfuls of the mixture onto the pan
8. Frying pan – a good sized pan for frying the patties in enough oil
9. Slotted spatula – to carefully flip the patties
10. Plate with paper towels – to drain the patties from excess oil once they’re done frying
Ingredients:
- 1 kg Kartoffeln (am besten mehligkochend, grob gerieben)
- 1 mittelgroße Zwiebel (fein gerieben, gut ausdrücken)
- 2 Eier
- 2-3 EL Weizenmehl
- 1 TL Salz
- Frisch gemahlener schwarzer Pfeffer nach Geschmack
- Eine Prise Muskatnuss (optional für extra Geschmack)
- Öl zum Braten (zum Beispiel Sonnenblumen- oder Rapsöl)
Instructions:
1. First, peel your potatoes if they aren’t already prepared then grate them coarsely – it’s best to use mealy ones for a nicer texture.
2. Grate the onion finely into a bowl and be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible so your patties wont turn soggy.
3. In a big bowl, mix the grated potatoes and onion together.
4. Crack the eggs right into the bowl and stir them in well.
5. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of wheat flour, one teaspoon of salt, and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
6. For an extra kick, throw in just a pinch of nutmeg if you like its flavour.
7. Preheat a good amount of oil (sunflower or canola works best) in a frying pan over medium heat.
8. Scoop generous spoonfuls of your mixture into the pan and gently flatten them out to form round patties.
9. Fry each side for about 3 to 4 minutes or until they turn a nice golden brown and crispy.
10. Once done, transfer the patties onto a paper towel to remove excess oil then serve hot and enjoy these delicious Kartoffelpuffer!

















