Potato Pancakes (Draniki) in a Skillet with Egg
Delicious, golden, and appetizing for the whole family! Potato pancakes (draniki) in a skillet with egg are the most famous and beloved dish of Belarusian cuisine. They are very easy to make with affordable, simple ingredients. The egg makes the batter more stable so the pancakes don’t fall apart when flipped.
Updated : 10 September, 2025
Easy
About 45 min.
Ingredients
4
Potato
0.5
Onions
1
Eggs
2 tablespoon
Wheat flour
to taste
Ground black pepper
to taste
Salt
Frying
2 tablespoon
Vegetable oil
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
The amount of potatoes depends on their size. This recipe uses 4 large or 6 medium potatoes. Onion is optional, but it helps prevent the potato mass from darkening.
Step 2
Wash the potatoes thoroughly under running water with a brush. Peel them. Grate on the finest grater (which turns them almost into puree). This is the most authentic way, though grating coarsely makes a chunkier texture. Drain any excess liquid released after grating to avoid runny batter.
Step 3
Grate half of a small onion. Add salt and pepper to taste. Crack in an egg.
Step 4
Add flour. It helps bind the batter so the pancakes hold their shape. Adjust the amount depending on batter consistency - it should be like thick sour cream.
Step 5
Mix the potato mass well. Let it rest for 10 minutes so the flour absorbs excess liquid. The batter may separate slightly - just stir it again to restore consistency.
Step 6
Heat a thick-bottomed skillet over high heat. Add vegetable oil. Spoon the batter into the hot oil, shaping round pancakes. Don’t make them too thick, so the potatoes cook through.
Step 7
Fry the draniki until golden on medium heat, then flip and fry the other side. Remove onto a plate; you can place paper towels underneath to absorb excess oil. Continue frying until all batter is used, adding oil as needed (I added after two batches, then again after two more).
Step 8
Serve hot with sour cream. Enjoy!