Crispy Polish Potato Pancakes

Crispy Polish Potato Pancakes recipe

Here’s a traditional and crispy Polish Potato Pancakes (Placki Ziemniaczane) recipe — golden brown on the outside, tender on the inside. These are classic comfort food in Poland, often served with sour cream, sugar, or goulash.


🥔 Polish Potato Pancakes (Placki Ziemniaczane)

✅ Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds (about 900g) starchy potatoes (e.g., Russet or Yukon Gold)

  • 1 small onion

  • 2 eggs

  • 3–4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)

  • ½ tsp black pepper (optional)

  • Oil for frying (sunflower or canola oil are traditional)

Optional toppings:

  • Sour cream

  • Applesauce

  • Sugar

  • Mushroom sauce or goulash


🔪 Instructions:

1. Grate Potatoes and Onion

  • Peel potatoes and grate them on the fine or medium holes of a box grater (or use a food processor).

  • Grate the onion as well and mix with the potatoes to help prevent browning.

2. Drain Excess Liquid

  • Place the grated mixture in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible into a bowl.

  • Let the liquid sit for a few minutes; then pour off the water and keep the starchy white sediment at the bottom — add it back into the potato mixture for crispier pancakes.

3. Mix Batter

  • Combine the potatoes/onion with:

    • 2 beaten eggs

    • 3–4 tablespoons of flour (start with 3)

    • Salt and pepper to taste

  • The batter should be thick but spoonable.

4. Fry

  • Heat about ¼ inch (0.5 cm) of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

  • Drop heaping tablespoons of batter into the hot oil. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.

  • Fry until golden brown and crispy — 3–4 minutes per side.

  • Drain on paper towels.

5. Serve Immediately

  • Best served hot, straight from the pan.

  • Traditional Polish style: with sour cream or a sprinkle of sugar. Also great with savory sauces or stews.


🔁 Tips:

  • Don’t skip the draining step — it’s key for crispiness.

  • Keep finish