Belarusian Draniki

Traditional Belarusian draniki are made primarily from finely grated raw potatoes, onions, eggs, and a small amount of salt. The mixture is then pan-fried in hot oil until it forms a savory, crispy pancake. They are widely regarded as a national dish of Belarus.

Draniki are most commonly served hot with a generous dollop of sour cream, known locally as smetana. In Belarus, they are also frequently paired with savory toppings like mushroom sauce or machanka, a traditional thick pork stew. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

While they are similar to Jewish latkes, traditional draniki often omit flour or matzo meal entirely, relying strictly on the starch released by the grated potatoes to bind the pancake. Belarusians traditionally use specific local, high-starch potato varieties to achieve the perfect texture. The focus remains purely on the savory potato flavor rather than added fillers.

Yes, many modern home cooks add ingredients like grated carrots, garlic, or minced meat directly into the potato batter. Another popular variation involves folding a meat filling between two thin potato pancakes, a dish known as draniki with machanka. However, the pure potato version remains the most traditional baseline.