Papa Leo’s traditional potato latkes (pancakes) are the perfect dish to serve for Hanukkah or any day of the year!
When Hanukkah rolls around every year, I have a hard time straying away from the traditional potato latke recipe passed down from my Papa Leo.
Crispy, salty, savory potato pancakes in all their glory – it doesn’t get any better than this, folks.
We top them simply with a little sour cream (or Greek yogurt) and apple sauce. That’s it. End of story. There is nothing else needed – this is your one way ticket to latke perfection.
Using a food processor with the grating attachment to shred the potatoes and onions will save you time and prevent bloody knuckles. Trust me on this one.
Squeeze out as much water as possible from the grated potatoes. Paper towel or a kitchen tower works really well. Keep squeezing until you can’t squeeze anymore. Note: If using a food processor, do the potatoes separately from the onions so you can squeeze them. Onion juice = flavor. Potato water = soggy sadness.
Make more than you think you’ll need. More than likely, you’ll only make these once a year. Go crazy and make a double batch. Your family will thank you.
Potato Latkes
Ingredients
- 4 russet potatoes peeled and grated finely water squeezed out
- 1 medium onion grated finely
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup matzo meal or more if needed
- canola oil for frying
- sour cream and apple sauce for serving
Instructions
- Using a food processor or cheese grader, grate the potatoes and place in a bowl using a paper towel to remove excess water.
- Grate the onions then add to the potatoes.
- Add egg, salt and matzo meal to the potato/onion mixture and mix well with a fork. If mixture seems too watery, add more matzo meal.
- Heat 2-3 inches of oil over medium-high heat In a deep pan (or cast iron skillet). Add a drop of the potato mixture to test the heat of the oil. If it bubbles, it’s ready!
- Using an ice cream scoop or large soup spoon, drop potato mixture in to the oil being careful not to over crowd the pan. Flatten the pancakes with a metal spatula to ensure even cooking.
- After 3-4 minutes, check for color and flip once browned on one side. Flatten again with the spatula and cook until browned on both sides.
- Lay cooked latkes on plate or baking sheet lined with paper towel to absorb excess oil.
- Continue working in batches until all of the potato mixture is gone.
- Serve with sour cream and apple sauce.
Chef’s Notes
Nutrition
Kim
From someone who’s never made latkes…when you say 4 russet potatoes, how many pounds should I use? The sizes vary greatly! Thanks so much.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Kim – This recipe is very forgiving so no need to be that precise. Just look for 4 typical sized Russet potatoes and you’ll be ok! :)
CindyZS
i just love latkes! great recipe. if u dont have a food processor, u can use a blender. growing up in a household of 9 many hands to help. in my late 20s my kids helped, then i got carpel tunnel in both hands and by 30 & 40’s just couldnt grate it anymore. plus my mom who is 25 years older than me, neither one of us good grate anymore :( well i didnt want to give up on this great food so i came up with a blender and tadah!! problem solved. home it helps for others.
Liz DellaCroce
Good idea about the blender!!!
Fonda
Potato latkes and sufganiot… but the smell of fried food is permeating in our apartment. Aside from opening all the windows while frying, any other ideas to clear the air, lest the odor/aroma will linger long after Chanukah is gone… when I’ll need to start my diet!
Samantha @ FerraroKitchen
Yumm..these look Perrrfect!!! And I love how you add the NI (or not?) haha
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking}
Oh, I love when my hubs makes latkes!!!! In fact, this will be in my tummy soon… thanks for the reminder!
I hate to say it, but I wish McDonalds double cheeseburgers and fries had zero cals!! Yep.
Gianna
They look so crispy!
Tzipporah Kranz
Donuts!
Brina
I just made a huge batch of latkes last night, happy chanukah to you.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
Latkes rock!
Chrik
Any fried food lol I fall for em all.
Amital
These are basically the latkes we made, although I made a quadruple batch. I freeze them and then serve them throughout the year.
And although I don’t really like fried foods, I would be OK with these having no calories for my once a year dinner.
Rena
Jelly doughnuts! Too many calories, but soo good!
Elin
Lattes from Starbucks. They are my addiction.
Liz Rueven
chocolate ganache!
kelley {mountain mama cooks}
I have only tried latkes a few times and neither were a great success. I can’t wait to try yours and so many other Hanukkah recipes to try! Thanks for sharing.
Cindy Brickley
I wish my deep fried wontons had no calories
Nick @ Bakingbeardy
Fried chicken. I’d love to be able to eat non stop fried chicken!
Tali Simon @ More Quiche, Please
Love that last image in the frying pan!
Ayelet May
donuts.
MaryB
I’m with you – latkes!
e.s.
Latkes…or sufganiyot.
Chay
I wish all fried food would be calorie free!!
Andrea
I am totally eyeing these. I’m ready with my potatoes and my deep fryer, but haven’t figured out what recipe I’m going to use! Happy Chanukah!
Eve
Mmmm … crispy latkes … I can smell them frying!
G6
Potato Chips ;)
faigy
I don’t eat too many fried food, but topping the list are latkas and doughnuts – so if I could have them without the calories? Yum!
Helen
This is tough, because I love fried foods! Probably Krispy Kreme raised glazed. These don’t present a problem to me now because there aren’t any in the state I live in, but if I come across one……
Athena R
I wish falafel had no calories. I love falafel.
jacquie
latkes would be right up there – any kind of veggie fried up latke style actually …. the possibilites are really endless.
Michele
I wish fried chicken had no calories : )
Devora
I wish sufganiyot had no calories!!!
Ashley - Baker by Nature
I just made Eddie’s Moms recipe for latkes yesterday – almost the same! They were SOOOO good, and yours look amazing, Liz! xx
Jessie
I can’t even visually tell these were made in the food processor, you can always tell w/mine! Love the addition of matzo meal, we use bread crumbs.
gloria Cooper
I would have to agree and say that latkes with no frying would be wonderful.
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
I love latkes so much it’s ridiculous. I don’t deep fry mine but the crispy edges are by far the best part so they are a must! Happy Hanukkah friend :)
The Lemon Bowl
I am a sucker for crispy edges!! Thanks friend!
Claire
Liz, your latkes look amazing!
Rochel S
Donuts. definitely donuts. :) Just got a mini deep fryer and it was so easy to make fresh donuts and even easier to eat them up!
Sarah
you can never go wrong with a traditional recipe. My fiance would prefer your latkes over mine because they look so crunchy. Looks so delicous!
The Lemon Bowl
haha – I make them super crunchy!!!
Shelley
Don’t caramel sufganiyot have no calories already? ;)
So glad you joined the blog party – can’t wait to see how you used the printables! http://thekosherhome.com/chanukah-sameach/
Shelley from The Kosher home!
Amy @ What Jew Wanna Eat
Awesome shot of the fryer- I’d be afraid to get my camera that close! I would say latkes too!
Miriam @ overtimecook
These latkes look amazing!
I wish donuts had no calories. Specifically caramel donuts with chocolate glaze. Or maybe custard donuts. Or cinnamon twist donuts. Ok, skip that. Any donut. All donuts. Just donuts!
Can you tell I hate dieting on Hanukkah??
Yosef - This American Bite
Loving that you stuck with tradition for this post. It balances out the “shake up the norm” approach I took with my post for this blog party!
Leah
Thats exactly the ratios I use when I make my potato latkes, except I don’t use any matzah meal. Russet potatoes are the best when making latkes!
Jen @JuanitasCocina
Your latkes take me straight back to my childhood! I wish chicken fried steak had zero calories!
The Lemon Bowl
I’m so glad to hear!!! :-)