kids encyclopedia robot

German fries facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Bratkartoffeln 1024 768
Bratkartoffeln with onion chunks

German fries are a yummy dish made from thinly sliced potatoes. These potatoes are fried in fat, like butter or cooking oil, until they are crispy and golden. Sometimes, people add tasty ingredients like bacon and onion slices. Salt and pepper are always used for seasoning, but you can also add spices like caraway, marjoram, rosemary, or garlic for extra flavor. This dish has been known in American and British cookbooks since the 1870s. In Germany, they are called Bratkartoffeln, which simply means fry-potatoes.

A Bit of History in the United States

During World War I, which happened from 1914 to 1918, the United States was fighting against Germany. Because of this, some people in the U.S. started changing German names or words. For example, some towns with "German" in their name changed it. By 1918, the name "French fries" became very popular in the United States and Canada, often just called "fries." During this time, German fries were sometimes called "American fries" because of the feelings against Germany.

How Are German Fries Made?

GT Bratkartoffeln 1
Bratkartoffeln with bacon

Making German fries usually involves cooking the potatoes in a pan or deep-frying them. You can add other ingredients like cooked bacon, onions, and green peppers to make them even more delicious. Some recipes use very thinly sliced potatoes. A little bit of paprika can also be added for a nice color and taste.

One interesting thing about making German fries is whether to use raw potatoes or potatoes that have already been cooked. Some people like to use raw potatoes, while others prefer to cook them first. It really depends on what you like best and what is traditional in different places!

How to Enjoy German Fries

German fries are often served with popular German dishes like schnitzel, which is a thin, breaded piece of meat. They also go great with different kinds of sausages, like bauernwurst. Many restaurants serve German fries as a delicious side dish that goes well with almost any meal.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Patatas fritas alemanas para niños

kids search engine
German fries Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.