These classic potato latkes are exactly what you want them to be. Crispy, savory, and deserving of a hefty dollop of sour cream!
I have a real obsession with potatoes. I’ll take them anyway they come – french fries, smashed and roasted, creamy and mashed, boiled and covered with butter…you name it. But when I’m feeling festive or hosting an at-home brunch, my classic potato latke recipe is at the top of the list. Why? They’re so fun to make and you can set out a bar full of different toppings to elevate the crispy, potato goodness.
What Exactly are Potato Latkes?
Before we dive in, let’s chat a little bit about what latkes are and their cultural significance. They’re a Jewish dish and are typically made for Hanukkah celebrations. Despite their deep-rooted tradition, they’ve become wildly popular and you’ll find them served on some of the fanciest brunch menus.
- Flavor: The flavor of latkes is the definition of “less is more”. They’re the perfect combination of earthy potato and onion and minimal seasoning.
- Texture: Somewhere in between a fritter and a potato pancake, latkes are made with shredded potatoes and onions.
- Time: From start to finish, it takes about 20 minutes to make 20 servings of latkes.
The Difference Between Potato Pancakes & Latkes
Oftentimes, the term “potato pancake” is used interchangeably with “latke”. While the two have similar ingredient lists, they differ wildly on the texture front.
- Potato Pancakes – Made with pulpy, grated potatoes for a finer texture.
- Latkes – Whipped up with shredded potatoes for a more fritter-like texture.
How to Prepare Potato Latkes
The first step to preparing latkes is to rinse your potatoes in a colander under cold water and scrub them free any dirt or grime.
- Shred the Potato & Onion: Next, peel the skin off the potatoes. Shred the peeled potato and onion using either a food processor or box grater.
- Remove the Liquid from the Potatoes: Using a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel, squeeze as much liquid out of the shredded potatoes as possible.
- Make the Latke Batter: In a large bowl, add the shredded potato and onion, followed the the whisked egg, flour, and salt. Toss with your hands to combine.
- Pan Fry the Latkes: In a preheated pan with oil, place a spoonful of the potato mixture into the pan and flatten it with the backside of the spoon. Fry until golden, then flip with a spatula and fry on the other side. Repeat. Serve fresh and enjoy!
Hot Tip: Fry your latkes in a cast-iron skillet for the crispiest outer layer possible!
3 Tips for Nailing the Texture of Potato Latkes
A couple of handy tips to help you get that essential crispy texture.
- Drain out all the potato juice. The more excess juice and potato starch you can squeeze out of the potatoes, the crispier they will get. This will also prevent chaotic, popping oil!
- Form similar-sized patties. To promote even cooking, try to keep the latkes as similar in size as you can.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Although tempting to cram as many in as possible, you’ll want to give the latkes about an inch of space between one another. This will help them to crisp and spread a bit.
Hot Tip: You may need to adjust from medium to medium-high heat to get that perfect crisp. That said, always start at medium to prevent burning!
How Latkes are Traditionally Served (+ Other Ideas)
Latkes can be served as a side dish to your favorite protein or salad, or as a meal all on their own. Below, find a couple of suggestions:
- Top them with dill and sour cream
- Smear them with cream cheese, followed by a layer of cold smoked salmon and a sprinkle of dill (great for brunch!)
- Pair them with a berry spinach salad for a light lunch or dinner
- Top them with sour cream and applesauce and serve alongside white fish such as pan seared halibut or baked cod.
Make-Ahead, Storing, Freezing, & Reheating Tips
While latkes are best eaten fresh out of the skillet, here are a couple tips for prepping them in advance and storage.
- Make-Ahead: If you’re prepping latkes for a big party, keep them warm by placing them on a baking sheet in the oven at 200°F as you fry.
- Storing: To keep them on hand for 2-3 days, store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Freezing: To freeze latkes, fry them and allow them to cool down completely. Next, assemble them in a single layer on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To return the latkes to their fresh-out-of-the-skillet crispiness, reheat them in an oven or an air fryer.
FAQ
What are the best potatoes to use for latkes?
We love the sweet, buttery flavor of yukon golds best. You can also use russet potatoes. Of note, russets contain the most moisture and starch, so be sure to squeeze the liquid out really well!
Are latkes for dinner or breakfast?
Latkes can be served for either dinner or breakfast. The sky’s the limit!
How do you make crispy latkes?
The key to crispy latkes is squeezing out as much of the potato starch as humanly possible. Too much moisture will result in a soggy potato fritter.
What is the best oil to fry latkes in?
This is really up to your preference. Avocado oil and olive oil work great, but they’re more full-bodied in flavor. If you want a more mild taste, opt for vegetable oil instead.
How do you prevent your latkes from being greasy?
Once you pull a latke out of the skillet, place it on a plate lined with a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
More Tasty Potato Recipes
- 15-Minute Air Fryer French Fries – Guilt-free crispy fries
- New Potatoes with Bacon & Herbs – Baby potatoes with all the fixin’s
- Mashed Potato Pancakes – A delicious way to use up leftover mashed potatoes
- Easy Air Fryer Baked Potatoes – Crispy, fluffy baked potatoes
- Easy Creamy Mashed Potatoes – Classically indulgent mashed potatoes
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb yukon gold potatoes shredded
- 1 small onion shredded
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt adjust to taste
- 1/2 cup oil avocado or light olive oil
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and onion. Shred the potato and onion using a food processor or hand grater.
- Add the shredded potatoes to a cheesecloth or towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
- Add the shredded potato and onion into a bowl, followed by whisked egg, flour, and salt. Toss until evenly combined.
- Preheat a pan over medium-heat with oil. Place a spoonful of the latke batter into the pan and press it with the back of the spoon to flatten it.
- Turn the latke over as soon as its golden. Fry on the other side. Repeat until you run out of batter. Serve immediately and enjoy while they are still crispy!
These potato latkes are delish! However I’d like to know the size of your latkes. I doubled the recipe and only got 11 4” latkes. Unless I made them with about 1 tablespoon of mixture there’s no way I could get 20!
Hi Kathy, we use 1 1/2 inch ice cream scoop to shape them, so they are pretty small. I love the crispy edges so I also make them pretty thin. Hope this helps. Thanks for sharing your feedback.
Delicious and quick recipe! They're perfect if you need to make latkes quick and easy, and if you're running late during Chanukkah. They taste amazing and have the perfect amount of crunch if you fry them for about 4 minutes each side. My only edit is to add less salt as I don't like my latkes too salty, but other than that they are great. Happy Chanukkah!
Hey Miriam, Quick and easy is sometimes best for the holiday season! Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback!
Can you use preshredded potatoes from the freezer section? Just wondering if we can cut out that step.
Hey Abigail, you can but thaw them and remove all liquids from potatoes. I personally love to shred them myself, I always feel like the flavor is so much better.
Do you find there is a difference if you grate your potatoes by hand using a box grater or if you do it in a food processor?
Hi Kathy, Depending on a food processor, they size can be different. But typically I use hand grater because its easier clean up. Enjoy
I'll be trying this recipe (with gluten free 1:1 flour, ) so thank you for sharing. I had to chuckle at the suggestion of serving them alongside porkchops though. Happy Hanukkah!
Hi Amy, I would love to hear how it turns out! Good luck and Happy Holidays!
I always make these…I find it needs a fair amount of salt, I, also, put some Montreal Steak Spice in there, about 3 cloves of grated garlic, pepper & I shred an onion as same as the potato, add an egg & some flour…Then I fry them in a iron skillet pan & put about an inch of canola oil, drop them in by spoon, the amt. of oil sort of deep fries them…Don’t press down on them. When both sides are golden brown, ( make sure the oil is fairly hot when u first put the batter in there but lower temperature so they don’t fry to fast or burn…Drop on paper towel & serve…I like mine with sour cream, cottage cheese & chopped green onion mixed together, or just plain sour cream…So crispy & good ❤️
Hi Cindy - Latkes are such an art form and I can see you've been at it for awhile! Love this feedback so much. This is really helpful for the folks out there who haven't tried making latkes before.
Thanks a mill!
This was my first time making latkes and they turned out perfectly! So crispy and delicious, with the best flavor. I'll definitely be making these again!
Taylor, I am so glad you loved the recipe, we love the texture of them too, so good!
My absolute favorite! And you weren't kidding- they are so easy to make! Thank you!
Right?! Crazy easy and delicious, the best combo!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing potato latkes recipe! Will surely have this again! It's really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thank you for taking the time to comment!
What should I eat on the side with it? Or what larger dish should be accompanied by these?
Hi Montague - Thanks for reaching out! You can eat these as a meal on their own topped with cold smoked salmon, sour cream, and dill. You can also pair them with your favorite protein for a more well-rounded meal. We like them alongside lamb shoulder chops: https://momsdish.com/lamb-sho….
Hope this helps!