Classic Potato Latkes Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Classic Potato Latkes Recipe (1)

Total Time
45 minutes
Rating
5(5,710)
Notes
Read community notes

This recipe is for a classic, unadorned latke; no kohlrabi or cumin here. Serve them hot and make more than you think you need. They go fast.

Featured in: How to Make Classic Potato Latkes

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Ingredients

Yield:About 3 dozen

  • 2large Russet potatoes (about 1 pound), scrubbed and cut lengthwise into quarters
  • 1large onion (8 ounces), peeled and cut into quarters
  • 2large eggs
  • ½cup all-purpose flour
  • 2teaspoons coarse kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon fine sea salt), plus more for sprinkling
  • 1teaspoon baking powder
  • ½teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Safflower or other oil, for frying

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

Make the recipe with us

  1. Step

    1

    Using a food processor with a coarse grating disc, grate the potatoes and onion. Transfer the mixture to a clean dishtowel and squeeze and wring out as much of the liquid as possible.

  2. Step

    2

    Working quickly, transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper, and mix until the flour is absorbed.

  3. In a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat, pour in about ¼ inch of the oil. Once the oil is hot (a drop of batter placed in the pan should sizzle), use a heaping tablespoon to drop the batter into the hot pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape the drops into discs. When the edges of the latkes are brown and crispy, about 5 minutes, flip. Cook until the second side is deeply browned, about another 5 minutes. Transfer the latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and sprinkle with salt while still warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Lisa Romantum Schwartz

This looks identical to my ol' (Russian-American) Pops' recipe. But you've gotta use a box grater because I think knuckle skin is the secret ingredient that makes this recipe transcendent.

Debbie

I’ve used this recipe for years, but with one trick: brush each side with oil, flatten and bake in a 425 oven until crisp on both sides. You can do all of them at once and not have used oil to deal with later. They come out crispy and perfect each time!

Fiona

A good friend, her husband always makes the latkes, gave me this tip. After grating (whether in food processor or box grater), rinse and spin dry in a salad spinner.I have done this every since, it makes The crispiest latkes.

DrPat

Over many years of delicious latke-making, I always grate twice - using a food processor to coarsely grate the potatoes, then putting them quickly back through with the propeller-like chopper blade, before draining and squeezing out the excess liquid. Eliminates the hashed-browns look and feel, makes it more like finely hand grated. Yum!

Also, I use matzoh meal, not flour. Unpeeled potatoes work fine.

Yum!

Benjamin Ben-Baruch

All purpose flour? Safflower oil? Where did your bubbe come from?Hanukah latkes have to be made with left-over matzah meal. This is critical! All of the left-over matzah meal must be used before next Passover because that is the tradition! More importantly, using matzah meal in the latkes connects one holiday of freedom to another holiday of freedom giving the latkes extra special taste!

Matt Miller

I have made many, many potato pancakes in my day, and I can assure you, no matter how hard you have tried, you haven't yet squeezed enough water out of the potato shreds. That is all.

Katie Olmstead

I think I made this up but it is very helpful. After the batter is all put together (with or without bloody knuckles), put it in a colander and put the colander in a bowl. By doing this, there are no soggy latkas at the end. All the potentially pooled liquid has slipped through the colander holes.

Deborah

.Absolutely delicious but no way this recipe makes 36 latkes. My first batch yielded 12. Even making tiny ones that would have produced 24. For 36 fairly small latkes, double the recipe. I had 40 people to my hanukkah party. I made them in the afternoon and stood them on their sides in rows in an aluminum pan so they didn't get soggy. Popped the pans in the oven at 350 for around 15 minutes before serving. 130 latkes gone in maybe 20 minutes. Next year I'll make more!

Roc Rizzo

I have used a box grater on the coarsest side to make these before there were food processors! I am sure that many a Jewish grandma did the same. BTW- I am only Jewish by osmosis. I grew up in Brooklyn in an Italian-Jewish neighborhood.

Setenaya

A good, classic recipe. I'm in the matzoh meal camp myself. As to the grated knuckles, I firmly believe that if my grandmothers had had access to food processors, you can bet they would have used them and would have thought foolish anyone who didn't.

Kathleen

I use Yukon gold potatoes. They have less starch so they don’t turn color on you and they fry up to a delicious brown.

Judy

Please no flour or baking powder. It makes them gluey. Matzoh meal or dry bread crumbs.

Brad

I followed the recipe except I baked them at 350 for 30 minutes, then broiled each side for 2 minutes using a light brushing of evoo.They were perfect, not oily and the house wasn’t overwhelmed by the hot oil bath smell. Try it, you’ll like it!

Erin

Can I prep these so that all I have to do is fry at dinner time?

Adah

I use matzah meal instead of flour, and put everything in the food processor. It is a little simpler, and just as good.

John McAward

anybody tried panko breadcrumbs instead of flour or matzoh meal?

agw

really good this timeused russets, squeezed out watermed to med low

Erin

Can I prep these so that all I have to do is fry at dinner time?

Andrea

DO NOT SKIP OUT on sprinkling with salt!!!! Really brought them to the next level.

Claudia

Hand-grate with a box grater, use matzo meal instead of flour, and fry in schmaltz. These were amazing! My family went bonkers for them.

s y

Matzo meal

Joanna Sherwin

I made them medium sized I got about a little less than 2 doz.

Joby

These were delightfully crisp and light, made with gf flour blend and grated onion/potato without using the grater but processing until achieving a course mince. Such a marvelous way to translate a family tradition to my college age daughter! Many thanks!

Jmk

Warning: makes only about 20 latkes if you like them medium sized. Good recipe though.

Lisa S

I used matzoh meal instead of flour and it was perfect! I'm making them again, bite-sized, for a Christmas party, topped with sour cream and a strip of lox. Latkes at Christmas? Who knew!

Deborah

.Absolutely delicious but no way this recipe makes 36 latkes. My first batch yielded 12. Even making tiny ones that would have produced 24. For 36 fairly small latkes, double the recipe. I had 40 people to my hanukkah party. I made them in the afternoon and stood them on their sides in rows in an aluminum pan so they didn't get soggy. Popped the pans in the oven at 350 for around 15 minutes before serving. 130 latkes gone in maybe 20 minutes. Next year I'll make more!

Suki

I thought these were perfect -- best latkes I ever had or made

Loving/Living Cooking

I've made this terrific, basic recipe several times this past year. Nothing like Latkes for breakfast with a little sliced apple or sour cream and cranberry sauce on the side! For the flour, I generally substitute a combo of sprouted whole grain spelt and teff flours--anything to up the iron and micronutrient content in a recipe my kids will gobble up, regardless!

Candace Lieberman

Only 2 potatoes? For 36latkes? Also, you have to run them through the processor twice or the it not sufficiently grated.

Melissa

These are small - only 1 tablespoons of batter per cake. But you can make them bigger if you like.

Judith

How could two russets (however large) possibly make three dozen latkes (however small)?My father, who made the world's best potato latkes, never, ever added baking powder and used matzo meal instead of flour.Squeezing grated potatoes/onions in cheesecloth works beautifully. Have never tried a salad spinner, but next chance I will.

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Classic Potato Latkes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What were the original latkes made of? ›

Of course we associate potato latkes with Hanukkah, but in reality latkes descends from Italian pancakes that were made with ricotta cheese. The first connection between Hanukkah and pancakes was made by a rabbi in Italy named Rabbi Kalonymus ben Kalonymus (c. 1286-1328).

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.

Is there a 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.

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 tradition of potato 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.

Why do you put applesauce on potato pancakes? ›

The sweet tang of applesauce adds a contrasty punch to the potatoes and green onions, which make up latkes, while also cutting the grease from frying them. On the other hand, sour cream, while also adding its own version of tartness, can weigh the fried potato cakes down with dairy.

Why do my potato pancakes fall apart? ›

Why are my potato pancakes falling apart? Not enough binder to hold them together. This is one of my faults as well. Add some flour to the mixture & that should help.

Why are my potato pancakes mushy? ›

Potato pancakes may turn out mushy if there is too much moisture in the potatoes or if the batter is too wet.

How do you keep potato pancakes from getting soggy? ›

Potatoes and onions are full of water, which can make soggy latkes. Wring out the excess moisture by placing the shredded potatoes and onions in a clean kitchen towel (the thinner the better), then gather the ends of the towel and twist it over the sink to wring out as much liquid as possible.

Is latke Hebrew or Yiddish? ›

A latke (Yiddish: לאַטקע latke; sometimes romanized latka, lit. "pancake") is a type of potato pancake or fritter in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine that is traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah.

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.

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.

Can I grate potatoes in advance for latkes? ›

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. (It doesn't matter if it discolors– when you fry them the latkes turn a beautiful golden brown). Fry the latkes no more than an hour or two ahead of serving.

Why do shredded potatoes turn black? ›

This process, which is called oxidation, happens because potatoes are a naturally starchy vegetable. And when exposed to oxygen, starches turn gray, brown, or even black. An oxidized potato is completely safe to eat. The process doesn't affect the flavor or texture of the vegetable.

Can I refrigerate latke batter? ›

Pre-Mix: Prep latke batter and keep in a sealable container in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

What were latkes primarily made of before they were made of potatoes? ›

Before the potato, latkes were made with grains like rye, cheese, and vegetables like turnips, carrots, and even beans. Safe to say, though, that with the addition of this new world tuber the latke has found a friend forever. Cassola pancakes, a Sephardic cheese fritter thought to resemble latkes of the Medieval days.

When was the first latke made? ›

The latke, it turns out, has its roots in an old Italian Jewish custom, documented as early as the 14th century. That, it seems, is where Jews first fried pancakes to celebrate Hannukah. Only back then, they were made of cheese.

Why do Jews make latkes? ›

The custom is to eat foods fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the cruse of oil which is the central theme of Hanuka. In eastern Europe potatoes were readily available so, potato pancakes or latkes became the common food for the celebration.

What is the origin of potato pancakes? ›

Although many Americans associate potato pancakes with Hanukkah, they have more broad origins. They originated in the eastern European countries of Germany Austria, Russia and Poland as a peasant food. Potatoes were cheap, plentiful and easy to store, making them a staple and necessitating inventive potato recipes.

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