Potato griddle cakes are a timeless comfort food that showcases the humble potato in its simplest and most delicious form. This recipe uses grated raw potatoes bound with flour and seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Traditionally pan-fried in bacon grease or shortening, these crisp golden cakes became popular in rural and farmhouse kitchens throughout America, where resourceful cooks turned basic pantry staples into hearty meals. Loved for their versatility, they can be served at breakfast with eggs, as a side dish for dinner, or even enjoyed on their own with a dollop of sour cream or applesauce. Their rustic charm and savory flavor make them a staple of old-fashioned home cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 cups grated raw potatoes (grated, about 2 large)
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 dash pepper
- 2 tbsp fat (bacon grease or shortening, for frying)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Potatoes
- Peel and grate raw potatoes. Measure about 2 cups.
Step 2: Mix Ingredients
- In a bowl, combine grated potatoes, flour, salt, and a dash of pepper. Mix until smooth.
Step 3: Heat Fat
- In a skillet, heat bacon grease or shortening until hot. Use about 2 tbsp of fat for each batch.
Step 4: Fry Cakes
- Drop about 1 tbsp of potato batter into the hot fat for each cake. Spread batter slightly with a knife to form thin, uneven cakes.
Step 5: Cook Until Golden
- Fry until golden brown on each side, about 2–3 minutes per side.
Step 6: Serve
- Serve hot with bacon or applesauce.
Tips
- Squeeze excess liquid from grated potatoes for crisper cakes.
- Add finely chopped onion for classic savory flavor.
- Substitute bacon grease with oil for a lighter version.
- Serve with sour cream or applesauce as suggested on the card.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for best browning.
- Keep cooked cakes warm in a low oven while finishing batches.
- Add fresh herbs (parsley or chives) for color and freshness.
- For extra crispiness, flatten batter thinly with a spatula while frying.
- Try mixing in a beaten egg for extra binding if desired.
- These make a great side for breakfast meats or roasted chicken.
Nutrition
Calories: 190kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 310mgPotassium: 470mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg
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