Crispy Golden Potato Latkes Recipe: A Homestyle Favorite

Crispy potato latkes have been a beloved comfort food in my kitchen for generations.

My grandmother’s secret technique always involved squeezing excess moisture from freshly grated potatoes.

Generations of jewish families have celebrated these golden-brown potato pancakes during hanukkah.

Perfectly seasoned and crunchy, these latkes deliver an irresistible texture that makes everyone smile.

Simple ingredients and straightforward preparation mean you can master this classic dish in minutes.

The combination of russet potatoes, onions, and a touch of matzo meal creates magical results.

Dive into this recipe and watch how quickly these latkes disappear from your plate.

Crispy Potato Latkes with Golden Crunch and Flavor

• Quicken Comfort Cooking: Perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious results without complex techniques.
• Versatile Holiday Hero: Ideal for celebrating traditional Jewish festivals like Hanukkah or creating memorable family gatherings with a classic dish.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture: Delivers an irresistible crispy exterior with a soft, tender interior that appeals to all ages, making it a crowd-favorite side dish or appetizer.
• Budget-Friendly Delight: Uses simple, affordable ingredients like potatoes and basic pantry staples, allowing anyone to create a restaurant-quality experience at home without breaking the bank.

Essential Ingredients for Potato Latkes

• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables that form the base of these traditional crispy pancakes.
• Onion: Adds a sharp and aromatic flavor to enhance the latkes' taste.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps hold the latkes together during cooking.

• Flour, Matzo Meal: Provides structure and helps create a crisp exterior for the latkes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying to create a golden and crispy exterior on the latkes.
• Sour Cream, Applesauce: Optional classic garnishes that complement the savory potato pancakes.

How to Make Crispy and Delicious Potato Latkes

Step 1: Prepare Potato and Onion Mixture

Grab a box grater or food processor and grate fresh potatoes and onions.

Transfer the grated mixture into a cold water bowl to keep the ingredients looking fresh and prevent browning.

Step 2: Remove Excess Moisture

Drain the potato and onion mixture completely.

Use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to squeeze out every drop of liquid, ensuring your latkes will be crispy.

Step 3: Create Latke Batter

• Grated potatoes
• Grated onions
• Eggs
• Flour or matzo meal
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix everything thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high temperature until the oil starts shimmering and looks ready for frying.

Step 5: Fry Latkes

Carefully drop heaping spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil.

Use a spatula to gently flatten each latke.

Cook until they transform into golden brown, crispy delights, approximately 3-4 minutes on each side.

Step 6: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer the freshly fried latkes onto paper towels to absorb any extra oil and maintain their crispiness.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the warm latkes immediately.

Offer sour cream or applesauce on the side for classic accompaniments that complement these delicious potato pancakes.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Potato Latkes

• Soak grated potatoes in cold water to stop discoloration and keep them fresh before cooking.
• Squeeze out as much liquid as possible using a clean kitchen towel to ensure crispy, golden-brown latkes.
• Maintain medium-high heat to achieve perfectly crisp edges without burning the potato mixture.
• Fry latkes in batches to ensure each one gets evenly golden and crispy without lowering the oil temperature.
• Enjoy latkes right after cooking for the best texture and maximum crunchiness, pairing with sour cream or applesauce.

Variations to Enhance Potato Latkes

• Gluten-Free Potato Latkes: Replace flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or cornstarch for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Herb-Infused Latkes: Add fresh chopped chives, dill, or parsley to the potato mixture for an aromatic flavor boost.
• Sweet Potato Variation: Substitute regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter, more nutritious version of the classic latke.
• Vegan Latkes: Use ground flaxseed mixed with water instead of eggs, and swap flour with chickpea flour for a plant-based option that holds together well.

Serving Suggestions for Potato Latkes

• Festive Holiday Plate: Arrange latkes on a beautiful platter surrounded by fresh herbs like dill or parsley for a colorful, celebratory presentation.
• Breakfast Twist: Top latkes with a soft-poached egg and a sprinkle of chives for a delightful morning brunch option that transforms the traditional recipe.
• Gourmet Toppings Bar: Set up a station with various accompaniments like smoked salmon, caviar, chopped green onions, and different flavored sour creams to let guests customize their latkes.
• Elegant Appetizer Style: Cut latkes into smaller bite-sized rounds and serve as a crispy, golden appetizer at cocktail parties or family gatherings with a dollop of herbed cream cheese.

Best Storage Tips for Potato Latkes

• Store cooled latkes in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual latkes in plastic wrap, place in freezer bag, and freeze for 2-3 months. Separate with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Warm latkes on a baking sheet at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, turning once halfway through to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave to maintain texture.
• Quickly recrisp latkes in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side, ensuring they become golden and crunchy again.

FAQs

• Why do I need to soak grated potatoes in cold water?

Soaking prevents the potatoes from turning brown and helps remove excess starch, which ensures crispier latkes.

• Can I use a different type of potato?

Russet potatoes work best because they have high starch content and create a crispier texture compared to waxy potatoes.

• How do I know the oil is hot enough for frying?

Test the oil temperature by dropping a small piece of potato mixture into the skillet – if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready for frying.

• Why is squeezing out liquid from potatoes important?

Removing excess moisture helps latkes become crispy and prevents them from becoming soggy during cooking.

Easy Potato Latkes Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy potato latkes showcase traditional Jewish comfort food from Eastern Europe. Golden-brown potato pancakes offer a delightful crunch you’ll savor with applesauce or sour cream.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 large russet potatoes (peeled and grated)
• 1 large onion (grated)
• 2 large eggs

Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) all-purpose flour or matzo meal
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Ingredient:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) vegetable oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Carefully shred potatoes and onion using a grater or food processor, immediately submerging potato shreds in cold water to prevent discoloration.
2. Thoroughly drain potato and onion mixture, pressing out excess moisture using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth until completely dry.
3. Combine shredded potatoes, onion, eggs, flour, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl, blending ingredients until they form a cohesive mixture.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F) until oil is shimmering and hot.
5. Carefully spoon potato mixture into hot oil, gently pressing each latke flat with a spatula to create uniform thickness.
6. Fry latkes for 3-4 minutes per side, achieving a golden-brown and crispy exterior while maintaining a tender interior.
7. Transfer latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
8. Serve immediately while hot, accompanying with traditional garnishes like sour cream or applesauce for enhanced flavor.

Notes

• Rinse grated potatoes thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring crispier and lighter latkes.
• Use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible to prevent soggy results.
• Experiment with alternative flours like almond or gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions.
• Consider adding herbs like chives or dill to the mixture for an extra flavor boost and gourmet touch.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Jewish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 395 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 462 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 93 mg