German Fried Potatoes Recipe – Oma's Bratkartoffeln Rezept (2024)

Mutti had several German pan-fried potato recipes, aka Bratkartoffeln, that she used to make. They were all variations on the one listed below. Each slightly different. All delicious!

The aroma in the house was mouth-watering whenever she made these. For her, this was a quick and easy lunch. For me? I just plain loved pan fried potatoes! It's German food I LOVE!

There are so many German recipes using potatoes, but this one for Bratkartoffeln, also known as German fries or German home fries, is truly among the most popular.

Perhaps it's because this easy pan-fried potatoes recipe makes for a wonderful main course, as well as a delicious side dish!

How to make this German fried potatoes recipe

I'm going to show you three different ways to prepare the potatoes, before frying. The first method makes the BESTBratkartoffeln, but the other two are mighty delicious as well. :)

3 ways to prepare your potatoes depending on how much time you have

1. Start the day before for the best Bratkartoffeln

For the absolutely BESTBratkartoffeln, the type you'll get in the best German restaurants, start your potatoes the day before. Boiled potatoes need to chill in the fridge overnight because cold potatoes make the best fried potatoes.

• Select potatoes of the same size. Scrub. Put whole potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Add 1 teaspoon salt.

• Cook until tender (check with a knife inserted into the potato ... it should slide in easily). Depending on the size of your potatoes, this may take 20 to 30 minutes.

• Drain and let cool or run under cold water.

• Once cool enough to handle, peel. Cover and put into fridge until the next day.(Or put them in the freezer for 35 to 40 minutes if you don't want to wait till the next day.)

• When ready to makeBratkartoffeln, cut potatoes into thick slices. Continue with the recipe below.

2. Great way to use leftover potatoes

If you have leftover boiled potatoes,this recipe is a perfect way to use them up.Or, perhaps, if you are planning to make boiled potatoes for dinner, make extra to have leftovers in order to make this German fried potatoes recipe later on in the week. In fact, this is the way my Mutti always made them, and the way I usually make them as well.

• Slice leftover cooked potatoes and continue with the recipe below.

3. Start with raw potatoes

What do you do when you'vegot aBratkartoffelncraving and no pre-cooked potatoes, and you don't have a whole lot of time? Just use raw ones!

• Peel and slice raw potatoes.
• Proceed as above. You'll just need to let them cook a bit longer (I cover the pan to help speed things up, removing the lid just before they are done so that they crisp up a bit.)

Once your potatoes are ready, it's time to get cooking

1. In a large pan, heat some butter or saute thin slices of bacon until nice and crispy. Using a slotted spoon move bacon pieces to a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Add potatoes to the bacon grease and fry over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes to brown potato slices. Turn, adding sliced onions and continuing to gently turn as needed. Add more butter, if needed. (If using raw potatoes, cover slightly during cooking.)
3. After potatoes are browned (and tender if using raw potatoes), add reserved bacon and season with salt and black pepper.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy

Best potatoes to usefor Bratkartoffeln

There are 3 types of potatoes:

• waxy potatoes: These are low in starch and high in moisture, and hold their shape after cooking. New white or red potatoes are examples of low-starch potatoes.
• starchy potatoes: These are high in starch and low in moisture and tend to fall apart when boiled. Russet and Idaho potatoes are good examples.
• all-purpose potatoes: These are your middle-of-the-road potatoes that have about the same amount of starch and moisture and can be used in any recipe that calls for waxy or starchy potatoes. Yukon Gold potatoes are a classic example.

You'll need potatoes that retain their shape after boiling and pan-frying, therefore waxy potatoes are best, as well as all-purpose varieties.

Are potatoes really German?

Oh, yes! Potatoes have been a staple in German cuisine for centuries. Did you know that the average German will eat roughly 130 to 140 pounds of potatoes a year? We sure do love our potatoes!

From fried to mashed, baked, or boiled, you will see all of these and more as you venture through Germany. Potatoes have been a part of German heritage since the mid-17th century when they were introduced to the country. When you take a stroll through the markets of the more southern regions like Bavaria, you'll find loads of different varieties of potatoes as well.

Sometimes in Canada, it can be hard to find potatoes reminiscent of what we had in Germany, simply because they offer more variety there. But there's always an alternative that's close enough and just as yummy.

It's no wonder they became so popular so quickly. You can do a lot with potatoes and make a variety of dishes, like this lecker Bratkartoffeln recipe!

How to store your potatoes

Don't forget that the bag of fresh, plump, delicious potatoes you just bought were once grown underground. They love being kept in cool, dark spaces. Perhaps a cool garage shelf if you have access to your own or a lower cupboard that doesn't get much bright natural light.

Potatoes thrive underground, but, when picked, they need to avoid moisture, or they will spoil quickly. That's why it is important for them to be in a dry, dark space and in a loose bag as well.

Do try not to make a habit of bringing your potatoes home and putting them in a sealed container or storage bin. You want your potatoes to have breathing room. The airflow will prevent moisture from getting into your potatoes, which, as mentioned above, can lead to spoiling!

You certainly wouldn't want the potatoes to spoil too quickly. This fried potato recipe is delicious, but even it can't make spoiled potatoes good again. ;) So, let's take care of our hard-working farmers' potatoes and store them in a cool, dry, and dark area so they can thrive well for your fried potato dish!

Oma says,

If you're a camper, you can make this German fried potatoes recipe using raw potatoes, over a campfire. We always did when we were camping.

Just be ready to feed the rest of the campers in the campground as they come by, because they'll be enticed by the wonderful aroma of fried onions and potatoes wafting through the air!

What to serve withGerman fried potatoes

This easy recipe makes a great side dish to most German meat dishes. Here are some of my favorites to get you started:

• Tasty German Hamburgers
• Baked Pork Chops with Sauerkraut
• Oven-Fried Chicken
• Slow Cooker Roast Beef (tastes just like Rouladen!)

Or consider serving this traditional German side dish at your next Oktoberfest celebration along with German sausages, pork hocks,or Schnitzel.

More German potato recipes

• Authentic German Potato Salad
• German Potato Pancakes
• German Potato Dumplings
• Schupfnudeln ~ German Potato Noodles

Ready to make this Bratkartoffeln recipe?

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