Oma's Scalloped Potatoes – Mega Lecker Kartoffelgratin

by: Gerhild Fulson  / Oma Gerhild shares German recipes rooted in family tradition.

Updated on January 31, 2026

​Oma's Scalloped Potatoes are a foolproof German treat, with layers of potatoes baked in heavy cream ...naturally gluten-free and irresistibly delicious.​

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German scalloped potatoes made with whipping cream, of course (gluten-free!)

These are the easiest scalloped potatoes you can make. Why? Because this is such an easy and fool-proof way to make them.

In German this is called "kartoffelgratin" and is so German - it uses heavy (whipping) cream, of course!

And, that makes it gluten-free! No, this isn't the low-fat way to eat potatoes, but my recipe for scalloped potatoes is among the most delicious.

My method works all the time. It's great for first-time chefs because it's so delicious AND easy! What a great way to eat potatoes, German-style! 

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

• No Mess: If you've made scalloped potatoes before, you know the mess 'the flour and milk method' makes - when it boils out of the baking dish all over the oven or is still watery when you serve (or worse, yet, lumpy!). That doesn't happen with this method!
• The Best Part of This Dish: Why, it's the top crust, of course. That's why I always use a fairly large dish, so the potato layer is not too thick and there's a large top surface. Make sure you grease the dish well. 
• Very Easy to Make: If you have really new potatoes, you can always leave the skin on and that makes this recipe even easier. That does make it healthier. Just wash the potatoes really well!

Can You Use a Cast Iron Skillet and an Air Fryer?

You sure can!

Simply halve the recipe and you get a wonderfully crispy top layer. Lecker!

Making scalloped potatoes in a cast iron skillet and baked in my air fryer oven. A regular oven works perfect as well.

I use this cast icon skillet, and it fits perfectly in this air fryer. If you don't want the top quite so crispy (our favorite), just take it out of the fryer a few minutes earlier.

Ready to Make These Scalloped Potatoes?

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Oma's Scalloped Potatoes – Mega Lecker Kartoffelgratin Rezept

​Oma's Scalloped Potatoes are a foolproof German classic, featuring layers of tender potatoes baked in rich heavy cream ... naturally gluten-free and irresistibly delicious.​

Prep Time:

20 minutes

Cook Time:

1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time:

1 hour 35 minutes

Servings:

4 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (42 grams) butter, divided
• 2½ pounds (1.14 kilograms) Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into ⅛-inch slices
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (0.5 grams) freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• 1½ cups (360 milliliters) heavy (whipping) cream
• 1 cup (113 grams) grated Emmental cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 360°F (182°C).
2. Grease an 8×8-inch casserole dish with 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter.
3. Place the potato slices in the dish in rows. Overlap each row as if you were shingling a roof. Once your dish is almost full, push the rows back so that they are almost vertical against the back of the dish. Now keep adding rows of potato slices, pushing back as the dish is filling. (Your  rows will almost be vertical in the end.)
4. Sprinkle the potatoes with the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
5. Pour the cream over the potatoes.
6. Bake, uncovered, for 60 minutes.
7. Remove the potatoes from the oven and increase the temperature to 400°F (205°C).
8. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the potatoes and dot the remaining butter over the top.
9. Bake for another 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown.

Notes/Hints:

• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon (7 grams) chopped fresh thyme or marjoram.
• You can add 1 sliced red onion to the potatoes, if you wish.
• Yes, you can omit the cheese, if you really want to. 
• You can also add some caramelized onions. Yum. 

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Updated on January 31, 2026

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to your table

Complete your set today - order now!

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Hi, I'm Oma Gerhild! As a food writer and cookbook author, I'm always looking to find ways to pass on my German heritage using local ingredients. Quick and easy. That's my goal. Wunderbar food. That's the result.