• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
My Dinner
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Main Course

    Bratkartoffeln Recipe – German Fried Potatoes

    Published: Feb 11, 2021 · Modified: Jan 13, 2022 by Marita · 16 Comments

    723 shares
    • facebook
    • whatsapp
    • yummly
    Jump to Recipe

    Let’s get talking about this Bratkartoffeln recipe - my favourite German fried potato dish. It is quick and simple to make, yet packed with flavours and goodness. It is so versatile and can be used as a side dish for schnitzel, goulash, or any other meat, or even as a main course on its own. 

    Bratkartoffeln in a Pan

    What are German Fried Potatoes (Bratkartoffeln)?

    Bratkartoffeln means literally translated to “fried potatoes". Other descriptions for these German fried potatoes would be “German home fries” or “German skillet potatoes”. These are pan-fried boiled potatoes usually accompanied by onions, bacon and eggs. 

    This dish can be used as a side dish or main course. In restaurants in Germany, they are often served as a side dish alongside Goulash, Schnitzel or other hearty meats. 

    In German homes, this is a favourite way of using up leftover boiled potatoes. However, it can also be made with raw potatoes. 

    German Fried Potatoes in a Pan

    How to Make Bratkartoffeln (German Fried Potatoes) 

    There are many ways to make this dish. This is a basic bratkartoffeln recipe, but I will note some recipe ideas for you further on. 

    Germans will fry their potatoes traditionally in Butterschmalz (clarified butter). I was never able to find it when I lived in England, so I substituted this with butter (although Ghee is similar. It is cooked for longer, so tastes nuttier than Butterschmalz) You can also use vegetable oil to fry your potatoes. (I found this brilliant article on how to make clarified butter at home).  The advantage of using clarified butter or oil for frying your potatoes is that they can heat up a lot hotter than butter.

    Ingredients for 4 people as a side dish

    • 1 onion 
    • 150 g / 5 oz smoked bacon 
    • 600 g / 21 oz boiled potatoes best boiled the day before - sliced about 0.5 cm
    • 2 tbsp butter
    • salt
    • pepper
    • handful parsley – finely chopped.

    Bratkartoffeln Recipe

    1. Cube the onion and the bacon.
    2. Heat 1 teaspoon butter in the frying pan and first start frying the bacon, then add the onion and fry until the onion is translucent. (Make sure that the onion does not burn, as this will leave a bitter taste). 
    3. Remove both from the pan and set aside. 
    4. Peel the potatoes (optional) and slice into 0.5 cm thick slices. Melt the remaining tablespoon butter in the pan and fry the potatoes on medium heat until crispy. When adding the potatoes to the frying pan, make sure that each potato has space in the pan. This will ensure that they fry evenly. If your pan is too small to fry all potatoes at once, then fry in batches. 
    5. Do not stir the potatoes but carefully turn them individually. 
    6. After approximately 20 minutes add the onions and bacon and fry for a further 2 minutes while carefully turning with a spatula. 
    7. Season with salt and pepper. Before serving, mix in the chopped parsley. 
    How to make German Fried Potatoes  - Step by Step instructions
    How to make German Fried potatoes

    Alternative ways of cooking German fried potatoes

    Can I make Bratkartoffeln from raw potatoes? 

    Yes, you can make German fried potatoes from uncooked potatoes. 

    If you want to use raw potatoes, peel and slice them very finely. I would advise you to fry them in oil or clarified butter, as this will take higher heat than butter.  Follow the recipe above until point three.

    1. Heat the oil in the pan and add the uncooked potato slices to the pan. Cover with a lid and leave to fry on a medium to low heat for around 8-10 minutes. 
    2. Carefully turn the potatoes and then fry until golden brown. Lower to heat and steam the potatoes for a further 18-20 minutes. 
    3. Add the onion and bacon and fry for a further 2 minutes while carefully turning with a spatula. 
    4. Season with salt and pepper. Before serving, mix in the chopped parsley. 

    Make Bratkartoffeln in the Oven

    Yes, it is possible to make German fried potatoes in the oven. However, I feel this is closer to the British dish “Roast potatoes”. Making the Bratkartoffeln in the oven is healthier, as you use less fat. Also, it is easier to cook for a larger group. 

    1. Preheat the oven to 200°C or 392°F .
    2. Fry the bacon and onions in a pan, as described in the original recipe.
    3. Coat the boiled, sliced potatoes with some oil using a pastry brush (affiliate link).
    4. Season with salt, pepper and any seasoning you fancy.
    5. Leave to roast in the oven for around 30-45 minutes. 
    6. Mix in with the fried bacon and onions and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
    Bratkartoffeln with Egg
    Bratkartoffeln with Egg

    More Bratkartoffel Recipe Ideas

    • Bratkartoffeln with egg – as a main course add some scrambled eggs to your fried potatoes. Alternatively, serve with a fried egg. 
    • Bratkartoffeln with rosemary or paprika – these are the two popular seasonings for fried potatoes if you fancy a bit of change. 
    • Vegan Bratkartoffeln – fry the potatoes and onions in vegetable oil. Omit Bacon. 
    • Bratkartoffeln with fresh herbs – try substituting the parsley with either chives or dill.
    Wiener Schnitzel Recipe with Bratkartoffeln
    Wiener Schnitzel with a side of Bratkartoffeln

    How to store fried potatoes? 

    You can eat the Bratkartoffeln up to two days after you have cooked them, as long as it was stored in the fridge in an airtight container. 

    You can freeze the German fried potatoes in an airtight container for up to three months. To serve, ensure that they are thoroughly defrosted. Then crisp them up again, by frying them in a pan. 

    More German Side Dishes you might like

    • Spätzle Recipe
    • German Red Cabbage
    • Cucumber Radish Salad with Apple
    • German Potato Salad with Apple and GherkinsGerman Potato Salad with Apple
    • German Pasta Salad

    This post was first published in February 2015 and updated in February 2021. Here is the old picture for your reference.

    German Bratkartoffeln

    Bratkartoffeln - German Fried Potatoes

    Marita
    A delicious German classic - fried potatoes can be eaten as a main course or side dish
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine German
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 286 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 onion
    • 150 g smoked bacon 5 oz, breakfast bacon or bacon lardons can be used.
    • 600 g boiled potatoes 21 oz, best boiled the day before - sliced about 0.5 cm
    • 3 tablespoon clarified butter or use sunflower oil and a teaspoon of butter.
    • salt
    • pepper
    • 1 handful parsley finley chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Cube the onion and the bacon.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon clarified butter in the frying pan and start frying the bacon, then add the onion and fry until the onion is translucent. (Make sure that the onion does not burn, as this will leave a bitter taste). 
    • Remove both from the pan and set aside. 
    • Peel the potatoes (optional) and slice into 0.5 cm thick slices. Melt the remaining tablespoon butter in the pan and fry the potatoes on medium heat until crispy. When adding the potatoes to the frying pan, make sure that each potato has space in the pan. This will ensure that they fry evenly. If your pan is too small to fry all potatoes at once, then fry in batches. 
    • Do not stir the potatoes but carefully turn them individually. 
    • After approximately 20 minutes add the onions and bacon and fry for a further 2 minutes while carefully turning with a spatula. 
    • Season with salt and pepper. Before serving, mix in the chopped parsley.
    • PS. These quantities are meant for a side dish. For a main dish just quantify the ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 286kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 11gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 350mgPotassium: 806mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 88IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Pfannkuchen Recipe – German Pancakes
    Easy German Rye Bread with Yeast (Roggenbrot) »
    723 shares
    • facebook
    • whatsapp
    • yummly

    Filed Under: Main Course, Side Dishes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Elke

      March 22, 2021 at 2:34 pm

      I make these frequently however i use the bacon grease to fry my potatoes .I know not very healthy but oooh soo good!

      Reply
      • Marita

        March 22, 2021 at 4:24 pm

        That seems to be a delicious alternative as well. Your potatoes will have a great flavour. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    2. Bernard Peek

      March 16, 2021 at 12:03 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      Clarified butter is widely available here in the UK. It’s sold as an ingredient for Indian foods. They call it Ghee.

      Reply
      • Marita

        March 17, 2021 at 8:35 am

        Hi Bernard, thanks for your comment. You are right Ghee is very similar to clarified butter, but because it is cooked longer it has a nuttier taste. I will update my post to add it as as an alternative. THanks for pointing this out. Marita

        Reply
    3. Marissa Schaumloffel

      March 03, 2021 at 3:45 am

      5 stars
      Oh I just love these, reminds me of my Oma!

      Reply
      • Marita

        March 03, 2021 at 7:26 pm

        Thank you

        Reply
    4. Gita

      February 23, 2021 at 5:01 pm

      5 stars
      I’m always looking or different ways to spice up my potatoes. Definitely trying this for the family!

      Reply
    5. Janice

      February 23, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, fantastic recipe! All the delicious flavours of the bacon absorbed into the potatoes.

      Reply
    6. Mihaela|https://theworldisanoyster.com/

      December 03, 2020 at 1:14 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      I love any German salad! You just sorted my dinner tonight, thanks!:)

      Reply
    7. Gina

      December 03, 2020 at 3:08 am

      5 stars
      Yes, please. Fry potatoes are awesome!

      Reply
    8. Alyssa

      December 02, 2020 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      This looks so simple and flavorful! Bacon and potatoes are a fabulous combo!

      Reply
    9. Lindsay

      December 02, 2020 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars

      5 stars
      Looks so delicious. I think I’d love it for breakfast with some eggs. Bacon just makes everything better!

      Reply
    10. Sue

      December 02, 2020 at 5:05 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      These potatoes are calling my name!

      Reply
    11. Arica

      December 02, 2020 at 4:07 pm

      5 stars
      We love making fried potatoes, but we’ve never tried it with bacon. That sounds amazing. Great recipe 🙂

      Reply
    12. Cindy Mom, the Lunch Lady

      December 02, 2020 at 3:09 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      Potatoes, onions and bacon! Is there anything better in life? This looks absolutely delicious!!

      Reply
    13. Kalin

      December 02, 2020 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      Yum! I love fried potatoes, especially at breakfast, and would love to try a variation of this with eggs like you suggested! They also sound like they’d be amazing with schnitzel — I’ve never made it myself but would love to try

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Marita Headshot

    Hi - I'm Marita!

    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. I love making German recipes and exploring the cultural history behind each dish.

    Learn more about me →

    Let's get social

    Popular Posts

    • Traditional German Cheesecake (Käsekuchen)
    • Moist Streuselkuchen (German Crumb Cake)
    • Donauwelle (Danube Cake / Schneewitchen Kuchen)
    • German Poppy Seed Cake (Mohnkuchen)
    An advert for a free Mini German Cookbook

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 My Dinner

    • 647