Air Fryer German Potato Pancakes
Air Fryer German Potato Pancakes, or Kartoffelpuffer, are a fun and simple way to enjoy a classic dish without spending all morning in the kitchen. These little golden cakes are made from shredded potatoes mixed with a few pantry ingredients, then crisped in the air fryer for a light and crunchy finish.
Please continue scrolling down to find the recipe card below, which contains the complete list of ingredients with measurements, detailed recipe instructions, additional notes, and nutritional information.
They’re versatile; you can serve them for breakfast, as a side dish for lunch or dinner, or even as a snack when you want something quick and filling.
One of the great things about cooking them in an air fryer is that they turn out evenly crispy with less oil. They stay tender on the inside while the outside gets that golden, lightly crunchy texture that makes them so appealing. You can keep the toppings simple with a little sour cream or yogurt, sprinkle some fresh herbs, or try a touch of smoked paprika for a different flavor twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Potatoes – Peeled and grated. Use starchy potatoes such as Maris Piper, Russet, King Edward, or Desiree for the best crispiness, just like when making Air Fryer Hash Browns From Scratch.
- Onion – Grated for mild flavor and a little extra moisture.
- Egg – A fresh free-range egg helps hold the potato mixture together.
- Flour – Plain/all-purpose flour gives structure without weighing down the pancakes.
How to Make Air Fryer German Potato Pancakes
Important Note
Before you start cooking, note that times may differ among air fryers. I develop my recipes using a Cosori 6.8 air fryer. If you’re using a different air fryer, view my recipes as a general guide and tweak the cooking time—add a bit more or cook slightly less as needed.
Grate the potatoes and onion, then put them in a clean kitchen towel or fine sieve and press out most of the liquid.
In a medium bowl, combine the grated potatoes and onion with the starch from squeezing the potatoes, egg, flour, salt, and pepper.
Quick Tip!
Keep a small amount of starch on the bottom as it helps the pancakes hold their shape.
Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and gently flatten it into a small patty. You can make them bigger or smaller depending on your preference. Lightly brush them with oil. Set the air fryer to 374°F (190℃) for a few minutes.
Lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil or line it with baking paper to prevent sticking. Place a few pancakes in the basket without overcrowding. Cook for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Serve immediately with your favorite toppings or let them cool slightly and enjoy on their own.
Recipe Tips From the Chef
- Use the right type of potatoes; avoid waxy varieties as they are very watery. Opt for floury potatoes like Maris Piper, Russet, King Edward, or Desiree for the best texture in your pancakes.
- After grating the potatoes, squeeze out as much moisture as possible using a clean kitchen towel. This will help your potato pancakes crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
- Avoid stacking the pancakes in the air fryer. Cook in batches for even crisping.
- To prevent sticking and help browning, lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil before air frying.
- Place cooked pancakes on a wire rack in a low oven while cooking the rest so they stay crisp.
Storage Advice
Freezer: Flash-freeze uncooked pancakes on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the air fryer time.
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back crispiness.
Serving Ideas
- Classic: sour cream and chives
- Sweet: applesauce or a light drizzle of honey
- Savory: smoked salmon or mushroom sauce
- Brunch combo: chopped pancakes stirred into scrambled eggs
Recipe FAQs
Most likely too much moisture. Squeeze the grated potatoes well and add a bit more flour if needed to bind.
Use starchy potatoes, avoid overcrowding the air fryer, brush with some oil, and flip them halfway through cooking.
Yes. Cook them in a non-stick pan over medium heat with a little oil. Flip carefully when the edges start to turn golden.
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Please give us a five-star rating and leave a comment below.
I hope you enjoy the process of preparing these delicious and crispy Air Fryer German Potato Pancakes just as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂
Bon appétit!
Air Fryer German Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs floury potatoes (750 grams)
- 1 small grated onion
- 1 medium egg
- 3-4 tbsp plain white flour / all-purpose flour
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1½ tbsp vegetable oil or sunflower oil
Instructions
- Grate the potatoes and onion, then put them in a clean kitchen towel or fine sieve and press out most of the liquid. Keep a small amount of starch on the bottom as it helps the pancakes hold their shape.
- In a medium bowl, combine the grated potatoes and onion with the egg, flour, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture and gently flatten it into a small patty. You can make them bigger or smaller depending on your preference. Lightly brush them with oil. Set the air fryer to 374°F (190℃) for a few minutes.
- Lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil or line it with baking paper to prevent sticking. Place a few pancakes in the basket without overcrowding. Cook for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite toppings or let them cool slightly and enjoy on their own.
Notes
- Use the right type of potatoes; avoid waxy varieties as they are very watery. Opt for floury potatoes like Maris Piper, Russet, King Edward, or Desiree for the best texture in your pancakes.
- After grating the potatoes, squeeze out as much moisture as possible using a clean kitchen towel. This will help your potato pancakes crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
- Avoid stacking the pancakes in the air fryer. Cook in batches for even crisping.
- To prevent sticking and help browning, lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil before air frying.
- Place cooked pancakes on a wire rack in a low oven while cooking the rest so they stay crisp.
