Deruny Recipe

Liliya Balinska

By Liliya Balinska

Lastest Updated June 24, 2024
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Deruny, or draniki, is the recipe for Ukrainian potato pancakes that you can whip up at the drop of a hat. This recipe is just the ticket. All it takes is some raw shredded potatoes and a handful of other easy-to-find ingredients. In under 30 minutes, you’ll be feasting on these delectable savory treats.

Here’s the best part: these pancakes are totally customizable! Whether you prefer them on the fluffier side, with an extra crunch, or want to mix in different veggies or herbs, you’re only limited by your imagination.

But one thing’s for sure – they’re absolutely tasty and ideal for a savory breakfast, a quick snack, or as an accompaniment to your main meal.

Got leftovers? No problem! Just warm them up on a skillet for a couple of minutes, and they’re as good as new.

And for those concerned about keeping meals balanced and nutritious, don’t you worry. I’ve got a handful of handy tips up my sleeve on how to turn these potato pancakes into a healthful, satisfying dish.

So, let’s cook up some scrumptious memories with deruny!

Potato Pancakes1

What Exactly Are Deruny?

Deruny, affectionately known as draniki or potato pancakes, hold a cherished place in the heart of Ukrainian food culture. With potatoes being a pantry staple across Ukraine, it’s no wonder that deruny is a dish that brings back a nostalgic taste of childhood for many.

Potato Pancakes
Potato Pancakes1
Potato Pancakes2

Traditionally, this potato-based dish graced the table as a star player for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. However, it’s not uncommon these days to see it served up as a scrumptious appetizer or side dish alongside meat and fish.

Interestingly, you’ll find variations of this dish peppered across different cultures. Take the US, for instance, where Hash Browns are a breakfast favorite, or Germany, where Reibekuchen is a beloved traditional dish.

The beauty of deruny is its versatility. You can come across recipes with or without baking powder, and some even have a green twist with the addition of zucchini.

Now, if you’ve been scratching your head about how to sneak more veggies into your kids’ diet, then here’s a golden opportunity. Transforming vegetables into pancake form? It’s a tried-and-true trick that kids can’t resist.

What Are Must-Have Tools for Deruny?

Here are the essential tools you will need for cooking Ukrainian potato pancakes:

  • Grater: This standard vegetable and cheese grater is a must.
  • Cutting Board and Knife: A fundamental duo for any kitchen.
  • Large Spoon: Perfect for combining all the ingredients.
  • Large Bowl: This will be your mixing hub for all the ingredients.
  • Frying Pan: A medium-sized nonstick pan is ideal for frying up your pancakes.
Potato Pancakes Tools

Key Ingredients for Perfect Deruny

You will only need a few simple ingredients to make these Ukrainian potato pancakes:

  • Potatoes: As the backbone of the dish, potatoes are filling and packed with potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.
  • Flour: Regular all-purpose flour binds all the ingredients together.
  • Baking Powder: This is your secret weapon for fluffy pancakes. If you’re after a crispier texture, feel free to skip this one.
  • Eggs: A fantastic source of protein, eggs bring a wealth of nutrition to the table.
  • Onion: Teaming up with potatoes, onions add texture, juiciness, and a robust flavor profile to your pancakes.
  • Garlic: A culinary companion to onions, garlic imparts a rich flavor to virtually any dish.
  • Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream: The perfect partner for these pancakes. The tangy note of the yogurt or sour cream lends a refreshing element to the dish.
  • Fresh Parsley: A sprinkle of fresh parsley for the final touch and an extra flavor boost.
Potato Pancakes Ingredients

How To Make Perfect Deruny? 5 Easy Steps to Follow

Now that you have all the tools and ingredients, you are ready to make the pancakes. You will need less than 30 minutes for this one. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Grate the Potatoes, Onion, and Garlic

After peeling, finely grate the potatoes, the onion, and the garlic.

Potato Pancakes Step 1 Grate the Potatoes

Step 2: Add Egg and Dry Ingredients

Add to the large bowl:

  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tbsp of all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp of baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Then mix well.

Potato Pancakes Step 2 Add the Egg Add the Dry Ingredients

Step 3: Optionally Add Fresh Parsley

For some extra freshness, you can add finely chopped fresh parsley to the mixture.

Potato Pancakes Step 3 Optionally Add the Fresh Parsley

Step 4: Fry the Pancakes

Add one spoon of the mixture to a preheated frying pan and let it fry for about 2 minutes on each side. Repeat with the rest of the batter.

Potato Pancakes Step 4 Fry the Pancakes

Step 5: Serve the Pancakes

Serve this dish with some Greek yogurt or sour cream and some fresh parsley on top.

Potato Pancakes

Notable Tips and Serving Suggestions for Ukrainian Potato Pancakes

If you want to make the best potato pancakes, I prepared a few tips that can be useful for you:

  • To make these pancakes healthier, instead of using a frying pan, you can prepare them on an air-fryer. These will still make them crunchy without adding extra oil.
  • For a vegan version of the dish, use an alternative to eggs and a plant-based yogurt.
  • In case you are gluten intolerant, use gluten-free flour.
  • If you want lighter and more juicy pancakes, replace one potato with half a zucchini.
  • If you want to add some extra protein and flavor, you can add finely chopped ham, tofu, bacon, etc to the batter.
  • Feel free to experiment by adding different herbs and spices to the mixture.
  • These pancakes can be enjoyed as breakfast or a main dish, served with Greek yogurt or sour cream. But you can also use 1-2 pancakes as a side dish for meat, fish, and other savory treats.

Proper Storage for Your Ukrainian Potato Pancakes

Just like regular pancakes, these are best enjoyed when just made. Although you can still enjoy them 1-2 days after, they will tend to lose their texture and flavor.

  • In the fridge: You can store the batter for up to 1 day, and once made, the pancakes for about 2 days.
  • In the freezer: Honestly, these pancakes are not suitable for freezing. You can try storing them in the freezer, but I don’t recommend doing so, as their taste and texture become unappealing after thawing.

FAQs

Starchy potatoes, such as Russets, are often recommended due to their high starch content, which helps to hold the pancakes together.

Latkes are a traditional Jewish dish often associated with Hanukkah. They are typically made with potatoes, eggs, onion, matzo meal, or breadcrumbs and are fried in oil.

On the other hand, potato pancakes, like the Ukrainian Deruny, can come from various other cultural traditions and might incorporate different ingredients and seasonings.

The main difference between potato cakes and potato pancakes lies in the texture and the preparation method. Potato pancakes are usually made from raw, grated potatoes, resulting in a texture that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Potato cakes, however, are often made from mashed or leftover boiled potatoes, which results in a softer, more cake-like texture.

Potato pancakes can turn black due to oxidation, which happens when the potatoes are exposed to air after being grated. The grated potatoes release starch, which reacts with the air and causes discoloration.

To prevent this, you can place the grated potatoes in a bowl of cold water until you’re ready to use them. Alternatively, adding a bit of acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar, to the potatoes can help reduce oxidation.

Remember to drain well or pat dry before adding to your recipe to prevent sogginess.

Ready, Set, Cook!

Ready to cook deruny? Using the simplest ingredients, without any fancy kitchen gadgets, and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a culinary dream come true. These pancakes are perfect for any meal, to share with your loved ones, or just to savor solo.

Brimming with satisfying, healthy carbs, these pancakes are bound to keep you feeling full for hours. Lastly, don’t hesitate to like, share this recipe and drop your thoughts in the comments section!

Potato Pancakes

Deruny Recipe (Ukrainian Potato Pancakes)

Wouldn’t it be great to include tasty deruny (Ukrainian potato pancakes) in any meal, including lunch and dinner? With these savory treats from Ukrainian cuisine, you can!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Keyword: Deruny, Draniki, Ukrainian Potato Pancakes
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Dietary Preference: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Calories: 407kcal

Equipment

  • Grater
  • Knife
  • Chopping Board
  • Pan
  • Large bowl
  • Large spoon

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric
  • 3 medium potatoes finely grated
  • 1 small onion grated
  • 2 garlic cloves grated
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional: fresh parsley; Greek yogurt or sour cream

Instructions 

  • After peeling, finely grate the potatoes, the onion, and the garlic.
    Potato Pancakes Step 1 Grate the Potatoes
  • Add the egg, the flour, the baking powder, and the seasoning (salt and pepper) and mix well..
    Potato Pancakes Step 2 Add the Egg Add the Dry Ingredients
  • For some extra freshness, you can add finely chopped fresh parsley to the mixture.
    Potato Pancakes Step 3 Optionally Add the Fresh Parsley
  • Add one spoonful of the mixture to a preheated frying pan, and let it fry for about 2 minutes on each side. Repeat with the rest of the batter.
    Potato Pancakes Step 4 Fry the Pancakes
  • Serve this dish with some Greek yogurt or sour cream and some fresh parsley on top.
    Potato Pancakes

Video

Notes

  • The total time and the ingredient quantities are based on 2 servings of potato pancakes.
  • If you are vegan, you can substitute the egg for a vegan option and the Greek yogurt for a plant-based yogurt.
  • If you want lighter and juicier pancakes, replace one potato with half a zucchini.
  • If you want the pancakes to look more like hash browns, thinner and crispier, don’t add the baking powder, and add less mixture when frying.

Nutrition

Calories: 407kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 2485mg | Potassium: 1481mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 127IU | Vitamin C: 68mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 4mg
Liliya Balinska

Liliya Balinska

Content Writer

Expertise

Content Writer, Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Translator & Proofreader

Education

Universidade do Minho, Portugual

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Oriental Languages and Cultures
  • Focus: The languages, cultures, and societal aspects of Eastern countries.

Nankai University, China

  • Program: Exchange Program, Chinese Studies
  • Focus: Improving understanding of Chinese language, culture, history, and possibly other specific areas related to Chinese studies.

Universidade do Minho, Portugual

  • Program: Master’s degree, Intercultural Studies Portuguese/Chinese
  • Focus: Preparing students for markets involving Chinese and Portuguese cultures, focusing on linguistic skills, communication, and cultural sensitivity

Escolas do Turismo de Portugal

  • Program: Culinary Arts
  • Focus: preparing students for technical and managerial roles in food service and restaurant business. It emphasizes solid technical training, creativity, and ethical awareness, with the goal of promoting sustainable development in the tourism and hospitality sectors​.
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Liliya Balinska, based in Lisbon, is a culinary content writer with an impressive educational background in Oriental and Intercultural Studies, complemented by a specialization in Culinary Arts. Her broad expertise enables her to cover a wide array of cuisines, from European classics to global dishes, captivating food lovers worldwide with her deep cultural knowledge and captivating writing style.

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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