SEO Meta Description: These healthy deruny are baked not fried — only 130 calories each. Golden crispy Ukrainian potato pancakes with authentic flavour and none of the grease. Gluten-free adaptable. Read Time: 9 min read Difficulty: Easy Servings: 4 servings (3 pancakes each)

Healthy Deruny — Baked Ukrainian Potato Pancakes (130 kcal Each, Crispy Without the Oil)

Deruny are Ukrainian potato pancakes — crispy, golden, deeply satisfying, traditionally cooked in generous oil until the edges are lace-thin and crunchy. A beloved traditional dish eaten for breakfast, as a starter, or as a light lunch with smetana and chives. Traditional deruny can be 350–450 calories for three pancakes. My baked version comes in at approximately 130 calories each — 390 calories for three — with a genuinely crispy exterior and all the authentic flavour. The entire secret is in the moisture removal technique.

Ingredients

• 800g floury potatoes (Maris Piper, Russet) — peeled
• 1 medium onion, finely grated
• 2 eggs
• 100g low-fat cottage cheese (tvaroh), well-drained
• 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tbsp plain flour OR oat flour (gluten-free option)
• 1/2 tsp salt, pinch of black pepper
• Olive oil spray for the baking tray
• TO SERVE: low-fat sour cream, fresh chives, sauerkraut

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 220°C / 425°F. Line two large baking trays with parchment. Spray lightly with olive oil.
• Coarsely grate the potatoes and onion into a large bowl.
• Transfer to a clean tea towel. Twist and squeeze firmly — twice — extracting as much liquid as possible. The mixture should be nearly dry.
• Return to a dry bowl. Add eggs, cottage cheese, dill, flour, salt, and pepper. Mix until the batter holds together.
• Scoop 2 tbsp batter per pancake onto trays. Flatten to approximately 1cm thickness with a wet hand.
• Bake on the TOP shelf for 15 minutes until undersides are deep golden.
• Flip carefully and bake 10–12 minutes until second side is equally golden and edges are crisp.
• Serve immediately with low-fat sour cream, fresh herbs, and sauerkraut.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (3 deruny with 1 tbsp low-fat sour cream):

DIET LABELS: Vegetarian | Gluten-Free (oat flour) | Lower Fat than Traditional

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are my baked deruny not crispy? A: Four common causes: not enough moisture squeezed out; oven too cool (minimum 220°C); tray overcrowded (steam builds up); pancakes too thick (max 1cm). Address these four things and they will be crispy every time. Q: Can I make deruny ahead? A: Make the batter up to 2 hours ahead with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent greying. Cooked deruny reheat well in a hot oven for 5 minutes — do not use a microwave. Q: What is the difference between deruny and latkes? A: Both are grated potato pancakes — deruny is Ukrainian, latkes is Jewish Ashkenazi. Key difference: deruny often include cottage cheese in the batter. Both benefit enormously from the moisture-squeezing technique.