Potato Latke Recipe (skillet-oven method - less smell!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the best oil for latkes? ›

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.

– After shredding your potatoes, immerse them in cold water to keep them from discoloring. If you're using a hand grater, you can shred them directly into the bowl of water. Soaking the shreds helps to keep them from turning brown; it also has the added benefit of making crispier latkes.

Refrigerate covered to avoid exposure to air. Sometimes I'll use a clean kitchen towel, moisten and cover the potato mixture directly. Don't cover with foil, it can also turn the potatoes dark or gray so use clear plastic wrap instead.

Russet potatoes: Russet potatoes, or baking potatoes, are high in starch and have a dry, mealy texture. This type of potato is best for latkes because the dryness of the potato is partially responsible for that desirable, crispy texture. Yellow onion: Yellow onion adds a savory flavor to the 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.

To keep a consistent deep golden brown on all the latkes while cooking, adjust the heat to maintain the oil temperature and avoid the latkes browning too quickly. After frying, place latkes on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack and transfer to a 200°F oven to keep warm until ready to serve.

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.

Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. When you see the oil shimmer, test if it's hot enough by putting a small strand of potato in. If it immediately starts to sizzle it's ready to fry your latkes. Put about ⅓ cup of potato mix into the oil and lightly press into a small pancake shape about ½ inch thick.

My potatoe are sort of purple or gray

Your potatoes have oxidized, which means you prepped them too far ahead. If you want to peel and slice your potatoes in advance be sure to cover them with cold water so that they are not exposed to air, which will make them discolor.

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.

How to make latkes less greasy? ›

The Latkes Taste Unpleasantly Greasy

Surprisingly, this flavor is caused by frying oil that's not hot enough. In fact, frying any food in oil that's not hot enough imparts this unpleasant greasy flavor. To avoid this, always fry up a small test clump of latke before starting a big batch.

Problem: The latkes fall apart.

Solution: Did you squeeze out excess moisture from the shredded potato mixture? Extra eggs, matzo meal, and shredded cheese will all help bind the mixture together if it seems too "loose."

But, corn meal is a great substitute for matzoh meal and will also make your latkes gluten-free and nice and crispy.

Canola oil (AKA rapeseed oil), known for its low levels of saturated fats and high smoke point, is a fantastic choice for deep-frying fries.

Canola Oil: Best All-Purpose Oil for Frying

It's great for all different kinds of frying methods, but it is also a good choice for roasting vegetables or making dressing. At about 400 degrees, the smoke point of canola oil is fine for deep-frying—a lot of deep-fried foods need an oil temperature of 325 to 375 degrees.

"This also allows the pancakes to get an even color and cook all the way through without burning." The key is to use an oil with a neutral flavor, like vegetable oil, and use it sparingly, so the pancakes maintain a nice texture and aren't too hard on either side.

Neutral, low-cost oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, corn oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc., work well for roasting. These oils have a high smoke point, allowing the potatoes to get very hot to achieve maximum crispiness.