Potato latkes are a delicious and crispy dish, traditionally enjoyed during Hanukkah but loved by many all year round. These potato pancakes, made from grated potatoes and onions, are easy to prepare and can be served with a variety of toppings. In this article, we’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions to create perfect latkes in your own kitchen.
Gather Your Ingredients
To start making potato latkes, you’ll need some basic ingredients: 4 large russet potatoes, 1 medium onion, 2 large eggs, ½ cup of all-purpose flour (or matzo meal for a gluten-free option), salt and black pepper to taste, and vegetable oil for frying. You may also want to have sour cream or applesauce on hand for serving.
Prepare the Potatoes
Begin by peeling the russet potatoes using a vegetable peeler. Once peeled, grate the potatoes using either a box grater or food processor fitted with a shredding disk. Place the grated potatoes into a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible—this step is crucial for achieving crispy latkes. Grate the onion in the same way and add it to the drained potato mixture.
Mix Ingredients Together
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained potato and onion mixture with two beaten eggs. Stir in half a cup of flour (or matzo meal) along with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything together until well combined; this will form your batter for frying.
Heat Oil in Frying Pan
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat about ¼ inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. To test if it’s hot enough, you can drop in a small amount of batter; it should sizzle immediately if ready.
Fry Your Latkes
Using about ¼ cup of batter per latke, carefully drop spoonfuls into the hot oil without overcrowding the pan—this ensures even cooking. Flatten each patty slightly with a spatula before frying them for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Once cooked to perfection, transfer them onto paper towels to drain off excess oil.
Now that you’ve mastered making potato latkes from scratch, enjoy them warm topped with sour cream or applesauce. With these simple steps and tips in mind, you’ll impress family and friends alike at your next gathering—or simply indulge yourself any night of the week.
This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.
