Deruny (Ukrainian Potato Pancakes)
Local name: Деруни
In short: Crisp-edged pancakes of grated potato and onion fried in sunflower oil until deep golden, served with sour cream. 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
- 300 kcal
Deruny are the potato pancakes of Ukrainian kitchens, eaten for breakfast, lunch or a quick supper. Raw potato and a little onion are grated, bound with egg and a spoon of flour, and fried until the edges are lacy and crisp. They are served at once with sour cream, and sometimes with fried mushrooms. Squeezing out the liquid is the one step that decides whether they come out crisp or soggy.
Instructions
- Grate the potatoes on the fine side of a box grater into a bowl. Pour them into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as you can into a second bowl. Let the squeezed liquid stand for 2 minutes, then pour off the water and keep the white starch at the bottom.
- Mix the potatoes with the onion, egg, flour, salt, pepper and the saved starch.
- Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Spoon in about 3 tablespoons of batter per pancake and flatten each to about 9 cm (3.5 in) across.
- Fry for 4 minutes per side, until deep golden with crisp edges. Flip only when the underside is well browned, so the pancakes hold together.
- Drain on paper towels and keep warm in a 100°C (210°F) oven while you fry the rest, adding oil between batches. Serve hot with sour cream.
Tips
- Squeeze the grated potato hard in a towel. Drier potato makes crisper pancakes, and the saved starch helps bind the batter.
- Fry in a hot, well-oiled pan and do not crowd it. Crowding drops the heat and the pancakes turn greasy.
Questions and answers
How do I stop deruny from turning dark?
Grated potato browns quickly, so mix the batter just before frying. The onion also slows the browning.
Can I make deruny ahead of time?
Fry them, cool and refrigerate for up to 2 days, then reheat on a tray at 200°C (400°F) for 8 to 10 minutes to bring back the crisp edges.
What do you serve with deruny?
Sour cream is the classic partner. Fried mushrooms or a simple cucumber and dill salad also go well, and the pancakes work for breakfast or supper.
How long does it take to make Deruny (Ukrainian Potato Pancakes)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Deruny (Ukrainian Potato Pancakes)?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
