Bramboráky (Czech Potato Pancakes)
In short: Crisp-edged pancakes of grated potato, garlic and marjoram fried in oil until golden, a Czech street and pub favorite eaten hot. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 360 kcal
Bramboráky are Czech potato pancakes, flavored with garlic and marjoram and fried until the edges are lacy and crisp. They are everyday food: sold hot at festivals, served beside goulash, or eaten as a meal with sauerkraut, smoked meat or a fresh cabbage salad. Squeeze the grated potato dry and fry the batter at once so it stays pale and does not turn gray.
Instructions
- Grate the potatoes on the fine side of a box grater into a bowl. Tip them into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as you can into a bowl, letting the starch settle at the bottom.
- Pour the water off the settled starch. Return the potatoes to the bowl, add the starch, garlic, egg, flour, marjoram, salt and pepper and mix quickly so the potatoes do not darken.
- Heat 3 tbsp of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Spoon about 3 tbsp of batter per pancake into the pan and flatten to rounds about 10 cm (4 in) across and 5 mm (1/4 in) thick. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden and crisp.
- Drain on paper towels and add more oil to the pan between batches.
- Serve hot, straight from the pan.
Tips
- Squeeze the potatoes well, because extra moisture makes soggy pancakes. Grate them right before frying, or they darken.
- Do not let the heat climb above medium-high, so the potato cooks through before the surface burns. Thin pancakes crisp better than thick ones.
Questions and answers
Can I make bramboráky ahead?
They are best fried fresh. You can keep them on a rack in a 120°C (250°F) oven for up to 30 minutes, or reheat them in a hot oven for 8 minutes.
What do you serve with bramboráky?
Sauerkraut, smoked meat, goulash gravy or a simple cabbage salad. Some people eat them with sour cream or grated cheese.
Can I freeze bramboráky?
Yes. Freeze cooked pancakes in a single layer and reheat from frozen at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes.
How long does it take to make Bramboráky (Czech Potato Pancakes)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bramboráky (Czech Potato Pancakes)?
About 360 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 41 g of carbohydrates and 19 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 360 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Fat | 19 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 600 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
