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    Home » Recipes » German Side Dish Recipes

    German Fried Potatoes - Crispy Potatoes That Everybody Loves

    Published: Feb 12, 2018 · Modified: Mar 8, 2022 by Angela Schofield · 10 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Pan fried potoatoes.

    Fried Potatoes

    Crispy skillet-fried potatoes with a long history

    No one really can prove who first thought of the idea of frying small potato slices in fat.

    Among others, this is one of the legends about the apparent inventor of the Bratkartoffeln (fried potatoes).

    19th century kitchen

    Apparently, in 1907 a Viennese housewife named Henriette Josefa Braths submitted a recipe for roasted potatoes to a cooking competition in a newspaper. According to the tale, the editor was so impressed with the recipe, that he promptly named it after the author: “Brathskartoffel” (Braths potatoes).

    Shared living of a special type: the “Bratkartoffelverhältnis”

    In the years following the war, shared living spaces were often referred to as “Bratkartoffelverhältnisse” (fried potato conditions). At the time, there were dozens of soldiers returning home, who found sanction in the homes of widowed women. Officially these living conditions were declared as renting conditions, so that the widows would not lose their entitlement to their widow’s pension. The “Bratkartoffelverhältnis” became a synonym for this relationship.

    German Fried Potatoes

    How are Fried Potatoes called in German?

    Fried potatoes are called "Bratkartoffeln" (f).

    How to pronounce "Bratkartoffeln"?

    Listen to this audio file to hear how to say "Bratkartoffeln" in German.

    click play button to listen

    How to achieve the perfect fried potatoes?

    The right type of potato is crucial for fried potatoes: they should be waxy/all-purpose potatoes. If you prefer them to be crispy on the outside and softer on the inside, these potatoes are the right choice. Whether you use precooked or raw potatoes, both work. If you pre-cook them, make sure to leave them to cool, as this will make them easier to cut and help them keep their shape – cooked potatoes from the day before work perfectly for this.

    The choice of pan is also very important. If you are trying to go low fat, a coated pan is your best bet, if you prefer them nice and crispy, a cast-iron pan is the way to go. Whichever pan you chose, it is important to remember: The pan should be at a high temperature to ensure for a crispy end result, but don’t overfill your pan, less is more, to make sure they can all fry evenly. The cut potatoes will need to fry around 3 to 4 minutes per side. To avoid your fat burning in the pan, avoid butter and opt for a clarified butter or natural plant oil, for example rapeseed instead. There should be enough fat, but not so much that the potato slices are swimming in it.

    How to make German Fried Potatoes Video Tutorial

    To Pre-Cook or Not to Pre-Cook?

    Opinions often differ on this point. The fact is that both work perfectly. If the potatoes are raw, however, more skill is needed to achieve the right crispiness and cooking time at the same time. In the video tutorial you can see how I like to fry potatoes so they get crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This works best in a cast iron skillet. I use a non-stick pan in my video to demonstrate that you can get crispy skillet-fried potatoes even in a non-stick pan.

    It is easier to make fried potatoes with pre-cooked left-over potatoes method but the frying process is basically the same. If you don't have left-over potatoes but have the time plan, then you should ideally cook your jacket potatoes a day ahead. It's important that the potatoes are completely cooled through before you slice them. Whether slices or cubes, that is of course another personal preference. If you choose slices, make sure that they are not cut too thin, otherwise they will break during the frying process.

    Which Potatoes Are Best for Fried Potatoes?

    Starchy potato varieties are not suitable for fried potatoes, because they quickly fall apart. For a perfect result, firm-cooking varieties are optimal, for example Bintje, Charlotte, Maris Peer Jersey Royals, Asterix, and Viktoria. If you like crispy fried potatoes with a fluffy center, then you should go for all-purpose potatoes, such as Yukon Gold or White Potatoes. This is the best way to get this amazing bite experience of crispy and fluffy.

    Pan Fried vs. Deep Fried Potatoes

    Many people prefer deep fried potatoes because of their crispiness. But you can achieve the same crispiness using the pan fried method for a healthier version of the delicious side dish.

    The trick is the right fat and the right amount of fat.

    Butter should not be used for this purpose. It contains too much water and milk proteins, which burn quickly at high heat. The butter will turn dark, and will make the potatoes taste bitter. If you don't want to go without the delicious taste of butter, simply use clarified butter aka Butterschmalz in German. A neutral vegetable oil, for example sunflower oil, canola oil, peanut oil, or rapeseed oil, is also well suited. The right amount depends on the type of pan. With coated pans, you will definitely need less oil than with a cast-iron pan. The slices should not float in oil, but have enough fat to coat the frying side of the potato completely.

    Is This Recipe the Same Like Southern Fried Potatoes?

    Southern fried potatoes and this German fried potatoes recipe are pretty much the same. German immigrants brought the delicious side dish all over the world and you will find similar recipes in countries all over the world. The addition of smoked paprika is very popular in the US. The main ingredients are usually potatoes and onions, but often upgraded with slices of sausage, bacon, ham, or cheese.

    Authentic German Fried Potatoes Recipe

    Recipe

    Fried Potatoes Recipe

    German Fried Potatoes

    Angela Schofield
    Roasted or fried potatoes are a classic side dish that complements a wide variety of meals.
    4.74 from 19 votes
    Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Side Dishes
    Cuisine German
    Servings 6 Portions
    Calories 213 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pounds firm potatoes i.e. Yukon Gold, Red Bliss, Carola, Inca Gold, Rose Gold etc.
    • 1 large onion
    • 2 tbsp. clarified butter Butterschmalz
    • 2 tbsp. neutral vegetable oil
    • salt, pepper, and paprika powder to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Peel potatoes and cut into equal ½-inch slices or cubes.
    • Add the potatoes to a bowl with water to wash off the starch. This makes sure that you will get nice and crispy potatoes.
    • Heat oil and clarified on medium-high in a large pan.
    • Drain the potatoes, add them to the pan and cover with a lid.
    • Fry for about 5 min. before you stir the potatoes for the first time.
    • With the pan covered, fry for about 20 minutes and stir occasionally.
    • In the meantime, cube the onions and add on top of the potatoes – don´t stir.
    • Fry for about 5 min. with pan covered.
    • Mix potatoes and fry for about 5 more minutes without a lid.
    • Season with salt, pepper and paprika powder to taste.

    Nutrition

    Yield: 1PortionCalories: 213kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 3gFat: 10gFiber: 4gSugar: 2gNet Carbohydrates: 25g
    Keyword budget friendly, traditional
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Serving Tip

    To make this dish even better add some bacon cubes to the pan and fry them translucent before you add the potatoes.

    For a gourmet version add small cubes of authentic Black Forest ham at the last five minutes of frying to the potatoes.

    black forest ham

    More German Side Dish Recipes

    • Rahmspinat with fried eggs on a white plate.
      Rahmspinat - German Creamed Spinach From Frozen
    • Kroketten on a white plate with a green-white napkin in the left corner on a white wooden table.
      Kroketten - German Croquettes
    • Beer sauerkraut with brats and pretzel.
      Braised Beer Sauerkraut with Stove Cooked Brats
    • German nudelsalat in a white bowl, garnished with a slice of egg, on a wooden board.
      Nudelsalat - German Pasta Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rob says

      June 02, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      Love watching recipe videos every morning!

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        December 09, 2021 at 10:36 am

        Me too 🙂

        Reply
    2. alan sparks says

      October 12, 2020 at 6:27 am

      What in the H--- is butterschmalz?

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        October 12, 2020 at 10:03 am

        Butterschmalz is German clarified butter aka ghee. You can make it yourself https://alltastesgerman.com/german-basic-recipes/german-butterschmalz-clarified-butter/

        Reply
    3. Christopher Cook says

      December 31, 2020 at 11:48 pm

      Absolutely loved these, easily and terribly addictive <3 I added some chopped up speck and mixed herbs then topped it with a soft boiled egg - definitely making into my regular meal rotation

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        January 01, 2021 at 4:30 pm

        I love your additions, Christopher. Thanks for mentioning these, I need to give that a try, sounds very tasty!

        Reply
    4. Cokie B says

      May 24, 2021 at 5:35 pm

      My mom used to make this growing up and so now it’s also a comfort food in my household! We add summer sausage and top with lots of cheese, sour cream, and Cholula (or however it’s spelt) and we tear up leftovers for days! Thanks for the helpful reminder to rinse the potatoes with water after chopping! That’s where I always go wrong 😂

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        May 26, 2021 at 11:04 am

        Thanks for visiting. Love the idea of adding summer sausage and lots of cheese is always a great addition 🙂

        Reply
    5. Laurie says

      July 23, 2021 at 3:44 pm

      Have A Good Day

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        July 26, 2021 at 8:32 pm

        Thank you Laurie, you too!

        Reply

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    Herzlich willkommen! I'm glad you've stopped by.

    It is a joy to share with you some of my all-time favorite authentic German recipes and tell you a little bit about the cultural background of my home country, Germany.

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