Potato pancakes, or deruny, are one of the most beloved dishes in Ukrainian cuisine. But even classics can get boring over time. The good news: you can easily reinvent deruny by adding new ingredients without complicating the cooking process.
In this article, you’ll find 7 tried-and-true deruny recipes — complete with exact measurements, tips, and serving suggestions. Each recipe makes 2–3 servings.
1. Green Potato Pancakes with Spinach
Ingredients:
- 400 g potatoes
- 70 g fresh spinach
- 1 egg
- 1.5 tbsp flour
- ½ tsp salt
- Pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
- Grate the potatoes and squeeze out excess liquid.
- Finely chop or blend the spinach.
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Fry over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side.
Serving suggestion: Serve with sour cream or yogurt sauce.
2. Sweet Potato Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 500 g sweet potatoes
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp paprika
Instructions:
- Grate sweet potatoes and squeeze out the liquid.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients.
- Fry until golden brown.
Tip: Delicious with avocado or a poached egg.
3. Beetroot Pancakes with Feta
Ingredients:
- 300 g cooked beetroot
- 200 g potatoes
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- 60 g feta cheese
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Grate beetroot and potatoes.
- Add egg, flour, and feta crumbles.
- Fry until crispy.
4. Classic Pancakes with Cheese Filling
Ingredients:
- 500 g potatoes
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- 100 g hard cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the potato pancake batter.
- Place a spoonful of batter on the pan, add cheese inside, cover with another spoonful.
- Fry covered until cooked.
5. Potato Pancakes with Salmon
Ingredients:
- 6 classic deruny
- 100 g cream cheese
- 80 g lightly salted salmon
- Fresh herbs
Serving suggestion: Spread cream cheese on cooked pancakes, top with salmon and herbs. No additional frying needed.
6. Spicy Garlic Pancakes
Ingredients:
- 500 g potatoes
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 garlic cloves
- Chili to taste
Tip: Add garlic right before frying to avoid bitterness.
7. Sweet Pancakes with Berries
Ingredients:
- 400 g potatoes
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- Pinch of vanilla
Serving suggestion: Top with fresh berries, honey or chocolate sauce, and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tips for Perfect Deruny
- Always squeeze out the potatoes.
- Don’t flip too early.
- Fry on a well-heated pan.
- Don’t stack pancakes; they will lose their crispiness.
These deruny recipes prove that even simple potatoes can be transformed into exciting, delicious dishes. With a little creativity, you can enjoy varied, flavorful meals while keeping preparation simple and stress-free.