Deruny (Ukrainian Potato Pancakes)
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, these classic Ukrainian potato pancakes are made from grated potatoes and onions, fried until golden brown. Typically served with sour cream or mushroom sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Potatoes(starchy varieties like Russet recommended, peeled)
- 1 medium Onion(peeled)
- 1 large Egg
- 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 0.5 cup Vegetable oil(for frying)
- 1 cup Sour cream(for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Grate the peeled potatoes and onion using the fine side of a box grater or a food processor. It's crucial to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the grated mixture. You can do this by placing it in a cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and wringing it out.
💡 Tip: Squeezing out the liquid is key to achieving crispy deruny. Reserve the potato starch that settles at the bottom of the liquid for extra crispiness. - 2
Transfer the squeezed potato and onion mixture to a bowl. Add the egg, flour, salt, and pepper. If you reserved the potato starch, add it back to the mixture now. Mix well until everything is combined.
- 3
Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot but not smoking.
💡 Tip: A cast-iron skillet is ideal for even heating and crisping. - 4
Spoon portions of the potato mixture into the hot oil, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon to form thin pancakes. Don't overcrowd the pan; fry in batches.
- 5
Fry for about 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
⏱️ 5 minutes💡 Tip: Flip carefully to ensure even browning on both sides. - 6
Remove the cooked deruny from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
💡 Tip: Keep the cooked deruny warm in a low oven (around 200°F/95°C) while you fry the remaining batches. - 7
Serve the deruny immediately with a dollop of sour cream. Optional: serve with a side of mushroom sauce or a sprinkle of fresh dill.
💡 Tip: Deruny are best enjoyed fresh and hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For extra flavor, you can add finely chopped garlic or herbs like dill or parsley to the batter.
- ✓If you don't have sour cream, plain yogurt or a dollop of crème fraîche can be used as a substitute.
- ✓Ensure the oil is hot enough before adding the batter; otherwise, the deruny will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
🔄 Variations
- Add grated cheese (like cheddar or Swiss) to the batter for cheesy potato pancakes.
- Serve with a side of smoked salmon for a more decadent appetizer.
- For a sweeter version, serve with applesauce or a drizzle of honey.