Potato Latkes Recipe - Chisel & Fork (2024)

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This classic potato latkes recipe is shallow-fried pancakes of grated potatoes and onion, making it the perfect side dish for a variety of meals. They're great on their own as well if you love potatoes.

Potato Latkes Recipe - Chisel & Fork (1)

Potato latkes are often associated with Hanukkah these days, but actually originally originated in the eastern European countries of Austria, Germany, Poland and Russia as a peasant food.

As potatoes were cheap and plentiful while also easy to store, these became a stable of families across the area. Luckily their popularity has carried over here as there really isn't much better than a crispy potato latkes recipe.

When scouring the internet for a potato latkes recipe, you'll see a variety of latkes but there is usually one ingredient that separates them. Either matzo meal or flour are used to help bind the pancakes.

As I don't really use matzo meal for anything else and always have flour on hand, this potato latkes recipe uses flour. But be my guest and use matzo meal if you prefer. If you want it gluten-free, you could actually use cornstarch.

So if you feel like some good old eastern European comfort food, this potato latkes recipe could be the perfect side to compliment to some bratwurst, stuffed cabbage rolls or even chicken schnitzel. Oh and if you have leftover mashed potatoes, you can try these mashed potato fritters instead.

Jump to:
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Best Potatoes for Latkes
  • What is Traditionally Served with Latkes?
  • How to Reheat
  • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
  • Other Side Dish Recipes
  • Potato Latkes
Potato Latkes Recipe - Chisel & Fork (2)

Recipe Ingredients

  • Russet potatoes - best potatoes for latkes. Also great for smoked baked potatoes.
  • Sweet onion - adds a sweetness.
  • Eggs - binds everything together.
  • All-purpose flour - can also use matzo meal.
  • Baking powder - makes the latkes a little lighter but you can omit.
  • Salt and black pepper - enhances the flavor.
  • Vegetable oil - use any non-flavored oil.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Peel potatoes and place in large bowl of water for 5 minutes so they won't brown and drain in a colander. Grate the potatoes and onions in a food processor with the grate attachment.
  2. Place potato/onion mixture in dish towel and squeeze tight to remove the liquid. Transfer the mixture to large bowl and stir in remaining ingredients, except for vegetable oil.
  3. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Scoop ¼ potato mixture and drop into skillet. Cook for 5 minutes
  4. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer latkes to a towel-lined rack to drain and repeat cooking remaining latkes.
Potato Latkes Recipe - Chisel & Fork (3)

Best Potatoes for Latkes

In general, russet potatoes are best for a potato latkes recipe. If you follow this blog at all, you know I love sweet potatoes.

You can easily replace russet potatoes with sweet potatoes or if you're really feeling creative, you can use butternut squash instead. The ratios stay the same, but the flavor will be different.

I'll let you decide which you like best. However if you are sticking with traditional latkes, I'd stay with russet potatoes as opposed to something like Yukon Golds as they have a higher starch content which means they are less likely to fall apart and yield a crispy consistency.

What is Traditionally Served with Latkes?

Potato latkes are usually served with some sour cream and applesauce on the side.

How to Reheat

If you want your latkes to remain crispy, place the latkes on a baking sheet at and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes.

If frozen, bake for 15-20 minutes to reheat.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • For classic latkes, russet potatoes are the only way to go since their high starch content make a crispy latke.
  • Soak the potatoes in water for 5 minutes so they don't brown. However don't soak too long or you'll remove the starch.
  • Place the potatoes and onion in a dish towel and tightly squeeze to remove the excess liquid which helps create the crispiness you want.
  • Once you add the potato latke mixture to the oil, don't move them for 5 minutes before flipping so they create a crispy exterior.
Potato Latkes Recipe - Chisel & Fork (4)

Other Side Dish Recipes

  • German Spaetzle
  • Corned Beef Fritters
  • Cheddar Pierogies
  • Butternut Squash Fritters
  • Baked Sweet Potato Fries
  • Mashed Sweet Potatoes

If you’ve tried this potato latkes recipe or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow meonFacebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

Potato Latkes Recipe - Chisel & Fork (5)

Print Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Potato Latkes

These shallow-fried pancakes of grated potatoes and onion make classic potato latkes the perfect side dish for a variety of meals.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Polish

Servings: 10 latkes

Calories: 143kcal

Author: Ryan Beck

Ingredients

  • 1 lb russet potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
  • 1 medium sweet onion, peeled and cut into quarters
  • 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • vegetable oil
  • applesauce or sour cream for serving

Instructions

  • Peel the potatoes and place in a bowl with enough water to cover them so they won't brown. Let sit in water for 5 minutes. When ready to prepare, drain the potatoes in a colander.

  • Using a food processor with a grating disc, grate the potatoes and onions. Place potato and onion mixture in a clean dish towel, wrap tightly and squeeze hard to remove the liquid. Transfer to a large bowl.

  • Add the eggs, flour, baking powder, salt and black pepper to potato mixture and mix until flour is absorbed.

  • Preheat oven to 250°F and place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. Pour in about ¼ inch of oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Scoop up 3 tablespoon of the potato mixture per latke and drop into skillet. Use a spatula to flatten into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook for another 5 minutes or until browned.

  • Transfer cooked latkes to a paper towel-lined rack to drain and then put on wire rack in oven to keep warm while you cook the remaining latkes. Serve with some applesauce or sour cream.

Notes

  • For classic latkes, russet potatoes are the only way to go since their high starch content make a crispy latke.
  • Soak the potatoes in water for 5 minutes so they don't brown. However don't soak too long or you'll remove the starch.
  • Place the potatoes and onion in a dish towel and tightly squeeze to remove the excess liquid which helps create the crispiness you want.
  • Addcold oilto acold skilletand let heat up to proper temperature before adding the chicken. You’ll know it is ready when the oil starts toshimmer.
  • Once you add the potato latke mixture to the oil, don't move them for 5 minutes before flipping so they create a crispy exterior.

Nutrition

Serving: 1latke | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 385mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 22.3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!

More Side Dish Recipes

  • Smoked Mashed Potatoes
  • Risotto Cakes
  • Lentil Quinoa Salad
  • Smoked Mac and Cheese

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chris says

    Potato Latkes Recipe - Chisel & Fork (10)
    Sound delicious!

    Reply

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Potato Latkes Recipe - Chisel & Fork (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between potato pancakes and latkes? ›

Potato pancakes have a creamy, almost mashed-potato-like center, with a thin, golden, crisp exterior. Latkes, on the other hand, should have a deeply browned crust, with wispy, lacy edges. Latkes also aren't hash browns.

Can latkes be prepared ahead of time? ›

There are a few ways around all this. First, you can do what I did and marry a man who will fry the latkes while you host the party. Or, you can grate the potatoes hours ahead and store them submerged in water in the refrigerator. Drain them well and make the batter up to two hours ahead.

What is the difference between latkes and hash browns? ›

Hash browns are shredded potatoes, fried (or air-fried), til golden brown. They typically remain loose, or in shreds. Latkes, a.k.a potato pancakes, are grated or ground potatoes that are mixed with egged, flour, or other binding agents. They are one piece, like a pancake.

What protein goes with latkes? ›

For those wondering what main dish to serve with latkes, Chicken Paprikash shines the brightest. It's a traditional Hungarian dish that perfectly matches the crispy texture of latkes.

What is the best oil for potato pancakes? ›

Vegetable oil or canola oil is usually best, because of its high smoking point. Latkes were traditionally made with schmaltz, or chicken fat, so if you have access to it, you should certainly add it in, because it does contribute to the flavor.

What type of potato is best for latkes? ›

Russet potatoes: Russet potatoes, or baking potatoes, are high in starch and have a dry, mealy texture. This type of potato is best for latkes because the dryness of the potato is partially responsible for that desirable, crispy texture. Yellow onion: Yellow onion adds a savory flavor to the latkes.

How do you keep latke batter from turning brown? ›

I will have to travel with them for two hours and latkes are only good as soon as you fry them. What can I do to keep the potato batter from turning brown? A: When shredding the potatoes be sure to add some acidity (such as a teaspoon of white wine vinegar or concentrated lemon juice to the water.

What is the best oil for frying latkes? ›

The Best Oil For Frying Latkes, According To Jewish Chefs
  • Option 1: Canola Oil.
  • Option 2: Peanut Oil.
  • Option 3: Schmaltz.
  • Option 4: Olive Oil (Your Last Resort)
Nov 29, 2023

How do you reheat potato pancakes so they are crispy? ›

– Always serve latkes hot and fresh if possible.

When ready to reheat, place in a 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes (7 if using a convection oven) until heated through just prior to serving. A convection oven setting will produce a more crispy result.

Why do my potato pancakes fall apart? ›

If the potato pancakes are falling apart while you're shaping them before you start cooking, they are either either too wet or they need more flour to hold them together. You can also mix the flour a little more the mix to develop gluten and then let it rest before cooking.

What are Yankee potatoes? ›

In the 1800s “Yankees” in the Northeast enjoyed large. cut potatoes roasted- with crispy pan marks on the. outside and a luscious earthy center. Guests near the. kitchen could hear the slang “yanks” being yelled to.

Why do Jews make latkes? ›

These potato pancakes (called latkes) are meant to symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah, when the oil of the menorah in the ransacked Second Temple of Jerusalem was able to stay aflame for eight days even though there was only enough oil for one day. The symbolism comes in the form of the oil in which latkes are fried.

What do you eat with latke? ›

The Standard: Applesauce or Sour Cream

You can't go wrong with cool applesauce and sour cream. The sweetness of the applesauce balances out the oil, and for a creamy match to salty latkes, sour cream plays a perfect counterpart. Even better? Try making your own applesauce to pair with it.

What holiday do you eat potato pancakes? ›

Latkes are potato pancakes that are a traditional food served during the Hanukkah celebration. Latkes are made of potato, Matzah (unleavened bread) or breadcrumbs, onion and always fried in oil.

What cultures eat potato pancakes? ›

Though the potato pancake is a Polish invention, it does exist in many other European cuisines too. They are common in Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Austria and Germany. In Jewish cuisine they are known as latkes, while Hungarians love them accompanied by paprika sauce.

Why do they make potato pancakes on Hanukkah? ›

These potato pancakes (called latkes) are meant to symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah, when the oil of the menorah in the ransacked Second Temple of Jerusalem was able to stay aflame for eight days even though there was only enough oil for one day. The symbolism comes in the form of the oil in which latkes are fried.

Why do Jews eat applesauce with latkes? ›

Tradition says so. Latkes are usually served at dinnertime along with a meaty main, like brisket. Mixing milk and meat at the same meal is a no-no for those who keep kosher, so sour cream would be out as a latke condiment leaving the underdog apple sauce victorious.

Are potato pancakes the same as hash browns? ›

Are Hash Browns and Potato Pancakes the Same Thing? Potato pancakes are more complex than hash browns. Hash browns are pan-fried shredded potatoes, whereas potato pancakes are mixed with a binder, seasoned typically with onion or garlic, and formed into patties before cooking.

What's another name for a potato pancake? ›

A latke is a small pancake usually made with grated potatoes. Latkes are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah. Most latkes are crispy little potato pancakes that are served with apple sauce or sour cream during the eight days of Hanukkah.

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