Ready to make the crispiest potato latkes of your life? You're in the right place! This potato latke recipe is perfect for Hanukkah, but you'll want to make it all year long.
What Are Latkes?
A latke is a type of potato pancake or fritter found in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine. The dish, which is traditionally served during Hanukkah, can be made with grated, shredded, or mashed potatoes. This top-rated recipe is made with shredded russet potatoes, all-purpose flour, an egg, an onion, and salt. The potato latkes are fried in peanut oil.
How to Make Latkes
You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make these easy potato latkes:
- Shred the potatoes and wring out excess moisture with a cheesecloth.
- Mix two cups of the potatoes with the flour, salt, egg, and diced onion.
- Fry spoonfuls of the potato mixture in hot oil, pressing down to form patties.
- Cook until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
Recipe Tip
You can use Yukon Gold potatoes instead of russets.
What to Serve With Latkes
Traditional potato latke toppings include applesauce and sour cream. If you're serving them for breakfast, consider pairing them with smoked salmon and cream cheese or a poached egg. Of course, latkes make a great addition to any Hanukkah table. Explore our Traditional Hanukkah Menu for delicious recipe inspiration.
Can You Make Latkes Ahead of Time?
Kind of. Potato latkes are crispiest straight from the pan, but you can prep the ingredients the day before. Shred the potatoes up to 24 hours in advance and store them, submerged in water, in the fridge. Drain them, make the batter, and fry them up to two hours in advance. Reheat them in the oven just before serving.
Can You Freeze Latkes?
Yes! Here's how to freeze latkes:
Fry and drain them, allow them to cool, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for a few hours or up to overnight. Transfer the now-frozen latkes to a zip-top bag or other freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to two weeks. Reheat in an oven preheated to 450 degrees F.
Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise
"Made them for Hanukkah last year, will definitely make them again this year," says Ania. "The key is definitely extracting all the moisture possible via the cheesecloth."
"I squeeze out all of the juice from the potatoes and onion through cloth," according to SELLARDS. "Top off with apple butter and a little sour cream, you can't go wrong!"
"Latkes turned out GREAT," raves dbear. "I also added some minced chives to the potato batter. I used a coffee mug to press them down into thin patties once the potato mixture balls were added to the oil."
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
Ingredients
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3 medium russet potatoes, peeled
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1 large egg, beaten, or more to taste
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2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
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1 tablespoon grated onion
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½ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
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¼ cup peanut oil for frying, or as needed
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
![Ingredients to make potato latkes]()
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
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Slice peeled potatoes and run through a food processor fitted with the grater attachment. Place shredded potatoes in a cheesecloth and wring, extracting as much moisture as possible.
![A cutting board with a piece of cheesecloth topped with shredded potatoes]()
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
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Measure 2 cups shredded, drained potatoes and place into a medium bowl; save any extra for another use. Add egg, flour, onion, and salt, and stir until well combined.
![A bowl of shredded potatoes with egg, onion, flour, and salt, being stirred with a wooden spoon]()
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
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Heat 1/4 inch of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Place large spoonfuls of potato mixture into the hot oil, pressing down on them to form 1/4- to 1/2-inch-thick patties. Cook until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and repeat on the other side.
![A large pan with six potato latkes cooking in oil]()
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
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Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain while you cook any remaining latkes. Serve hot.
![A plate with four potato latkes, served with a dollop of sour cream and a side of apple sauce]()
Allrecipes/Qi Ai
From the Editor
The original recipe called for 3 eggs and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Based on reviews, we have reduced these amounts in the recipe.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| 199 | Calories |
| 11g | Fat |
| 22g | Carbs |
| 5g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 6 | |
| Calories 199 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 11g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat 2g | 11% |
| Cholesterol 62mg | 21% |
| Sodium 191mg | 8% |
| Total Carbohydrate 22g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 5% |
| Protein 5g | 9% |
| Vitamin C 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium 24mg | 2% |
| Iron 1mg | 8% |
| Potassium 472mg | 10% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
