🥔🧀 French Cheesy Potato Pancakes (Galette de Pommes de Terre au Fromage)
Crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside — a perfect side dish or brunch treat with a French flair.
🛒 Ingredients (Makes ~8 pancakes)
- 2 cups grated potatoes (about 2 medium potatoes), drained of excess water
- ½ cup shredded Gruyère, Emmental, or cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion, finely grated or chopped
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2–3 tbsp butter or oil for frying
- Optional: fresh herbs (chives, parsley, or thyme)
🥣 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare Potatoes
- Peel and grate potatoes.
- Place in a clean towel or paper towel and squeeze out excess moisture to ensure crispiness.
2️⃣ Mix the Batter
- In a large bowl, combine grated potatoes, onion, cheese, eggs, flour, salt, pepper, and herbs if using.
- Mix until well incorporated.
3️⃣ Heat Pan
- Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
4️⃣ Form & Fry Pancakes
- Scoop ¼ cup of the mixture and flatten into a 3–4 inch pancake in the skillet.
- Cook 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
- Repeat with remaining batter, adding more butter/oil as needed.
5️⃣ Serve
- Serve warm with sour cream, applesauce, or a light salad.
🔥 Tips & Variations
Extra Crispy
- Fry on medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Squeeze potatoes very dry before mixing.
Cheese Variations
- Gruyère or Emmental for nutty French flavor
- Cheddar for sharper, more familiar taste
Herbs & Flavor Boosters
- Chives, parsley, thyme, or a pinch of nutmeg in the batter
Make Ahead
- Assemble pancakes and refrigerate for 30 minutes before frying to firm up.
- Reheat in a skillet or oven to retain crispiness.
If you want, I can also give you:
- Mini appetizer version
- Oven-baked version for less oil
- Extra cheesy indulgent version
- French-style brunch platter ideas
Do you want them thin and ultra-crispy or thicker and extra cheesy inside?
