Want to know the secret to the crunchiest, most mouthwatering snack ever? Say hello to these Vegan Potato Fritters!
With just a few simple ingredients from your pantry (hello, potatoes and onions!), you can whip up these crispy little wonders in no time. Whether they're stealing the show at dinner or saving you from those afternoon snack cravings, these fritters are here to make your day better!
I’ve always had a soft spot for potato fritters, and this recipe really takes me back to my childhood! Growing up in Germany, my grandma would make big batches of these golden, crispy fritters for the whole family. There’s something so comforting about the way they crisp up in the pan, filling the kitchen with their irresistible aroma. And let’s not forget the classic pairing with apple sauce - it’s a match made in heaven!
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❤️ What's Great About this Recipe
- 🥔 Crispy and Flavorful: These Vegan Potato Fritters are perfectly golden and packed with savory flavor. A true comfort food classic!
- ⏱️ Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes!
- 🍴 Versatile Crowd Pleaser: Enjoy them as a snack, side dish, or even for dinner. They're a potato dish everyone will love - so they're perfect for sharing with friends or family too!
- 🌱 Simple Ingredients: Made with everyday staples like potatoes, onion, and flour – no fancy ingredients required.
- 😋 Satisfying and Moreish: These fritters are so good, you’ll want to make them again and again!
🌱 Ingredients for Vegan Potato Fritters
- Potatoes - Use large ones, preferably high in starch like russet or baking potatoes, for the best texture when shredded. This helps the fritters hold together.
- Onion - Shred finely to blend well into the potato mixture and add a wonderful depth of flavor.
- Nutmeg, salt, and pepper - These seasonings bring a subtle warmth and balance to the fritters. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your personal taste.
- Flour - Acts as a binding agent for the fritters. Regular flour works well, but you can experiment with gluten-free alternatives if needed.
- Vegetable oil - Choose an oil with a neutral flavor, like rapeseed or sunflower oil, as it’s used for frying the fritters to golden perfection.
- Apple sauce - Traditionally served as a dipping sauce with these fritters. Ready-made options are convenient, but you can also make your own for a fresh, homemade touch.
Pro tip: All potatoes can be shredded, but for the best result you'll want a high starch content so that those starchy shreds of spud cling together. So, you might want to use russet potatoes or any variety referred to as 'baking potatoes'.
🔪 Equipment
- Large Skillet - Use this for frying the fritters. A non-stick skillet is ideal to avoid sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Grater - Needed to shred the potatoes and onion. Choose a sturdy one for easy grating.
- Large Bowl - For mixing the shredded potatoes, onion, and other ingredients.
- Colander or Cheesecloth - To squeeze out excess water from the shredded potatoes. This is essential to help the fritters hold together.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula - For mixing and flipping the fritters while frying.
- Frying Pan - An alternative to the skillet if you want to fry multiple fritters at once.
- Paper Towels - For draining excess oil from the fritters after frying.
🧑🍳 How to Make Vegan Potato Fritters
Step 1: Shred and Prep Potatoes
Shred large potatoes and remove excess water. Shred onion and mix with the potatoes.
Step 2: Season and Mix
Combine salt, pepper, nutmeg, and flour with the potato mixture. Mix well.
Step 3: Form Patties
Shape the mixture into small patties that hold together.
Step 4: Fry Until Golden
Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Fry patties on medium heat until golden brown on both sides.
Step 5: Serve with Apple Sauce
Serve warm with apple sauce for a traditional German touch!
🍽️ How To Serve
Serve the vegan potato fritters warm. Pair them with apple sauce for a classic, simple combination. You can also enjoy them as a snack or a light meal or serve them as a side dish for a roast dinner.
❄️ Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Vegan Potato Fritters in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a non-stick pan over medium heat until crispy again.
Avoid microwaving as it may make them soggy. Keep them fresh by storing the fritters and apple sauce separately.
💡 Tips & Tricks
Following these tips will help you make the most out of this Vegan Potato Fritters recipe, ensuring crispy, golden fritters every time:
- Choose Starchy Potatoes: Use high-starch potatoes like russet or baking potatoes for the best texture. These hold together better when shredded and fried, ensuring your potato fritters don’t fall apart.
- Remove Excess Water: After shredding the potatoes, make sure to squeeze out as much water as possible! This step is crucial for achieving crispy fritters that hold their shape.
- Fry at Medium Heat: Keep the pan at medium heat to ensure the fritters cook evenly. Too hot, and they’ll burn on the outside while staying raw inside; too cool, and they’ll soak up excess oil.
- Form Uniform Patties: Shape the fritters into even-sized patties for consistent cooking. Smaller patties are easier to handle and less likely to break apart.
- Work in Batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan while frying. Frying in smaller batches ensures each fritter cooks evenly and crisps up nicely.
- Keep Warm Before Serving: If you’re making a large batch, keep the cooked fritters warm in the oven at a low temperature (around 200°F / 90°C) until ready to serve.
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🔜 Related Recipes
If you enjoyed these Vegan Potato Fritters, you might also love my Vegan German Potato Salad or Vegan Schnitzel recipes! They’re packed with flavor and perfect for trying more plant-based German-inspired dishes.
📖 Recipe Card
Vegan Potato Fritters
Equipment
- large skillet
- grater
- large bowl
- fine colander or cheesecloth
- wooden spoon or spatula
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 4-5 large potatoes (28-35 oz; 800-1000g) e.g. Maris Piper
- 1 large onion finely diced
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup flour (60g)
- vegetable oil for frying enough to cover the pan
For Serving (optional):
- 7 oz Ready-made apple sauce (200g) or make your own
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and shred them using a grater. Make sure to use russet or baking potatoes for the best results. Once shredded, remove as much water as possible by squeezing the potatoes with a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Shred the onion finely and mix it with the potatoes in a large bowl.
- Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg to the potato and onion mixture. Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Stir well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed. If you like, you can add other herbs or spices for extra flavor.
- Sprinkle the flour over the seasoned mixture. Mix everything together thoroughly until the ingredients start to stick together. The flour helps to bind the potato fritters so they hold their shape when frying.
- Take small handfuls of the mixture and shape them into flat, round patties. Make sure the fritters are compact to prevent them from falling apart while cooking.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, carefully place the fritters into the pan. Fry each side for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure even cooking.
- Once the fritters are cooked, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve warm with a side of apple sauce for dipping. Enjoy your delicious homemade vegan potato fritters!
Notes
- Serving - Serve the Vegan Potato Fritters warm with a generous side of apple sauce for a traditional touch. They also pair well with other dips or a fresh salad for a light meal. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main dish.
- Storage - Store any leftover Vegan Potato Fritters in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the apple sauce separate to maintain freshness.
- Reheating - Reheat the fritters in a non-stick pan over medium heat to restore their crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it can make them soggy. Alternatively, reheat in the oven at a low temperature to keep them warm and crunchy.
- Tips for Success -
- Use starchy potatoes, such as russet or baking potatoes, to help the fritters hold together during cooking.
- Be sure to remove excess water from the shredded potatoes to achieve the perfect texture and prevent them from falling apart.
- Fry the fritters in small batches to ensure even cooking and crispy results.
- Customize the seasoning with your favorite herbs and spices for a personal twist on the recipe.
- If making a larger batch, keep the cooked fritters warm in the oven at a low temperature until ready to serve.
- Additional Ideas - While traditionally served with apple sauce, you can experiment by pairing the fritters with vegan sour cream, a tangy yogurt-based dip, or even a spicy chutney for a unique flavor combination.
Looking for more delicious vegan dinners and snacks? Try some of my other favorite recipes below:
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Marie
Absolutely in love with these fritters! My grandma used to make them and this recipe brought back so many memories 🙂