Air Fryer Potato Pancakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Potato pancakes are a delicious treat, but they can be a hassle to make and often require a lot of oil for frying. This is where an air fryer comes in handy. Air fryers have become increasingly popular as a healthier alternative to deep frying, and they can be used to make crispy and delicious potato pancakes with minimal oil. In this article, we will explore the topic of making potato pancakes in an air fryer, including recipes, tips, and tricks for achieving the perfect crispy and fluffy texture.

Air Fryer Latkes Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2-3 russet potatoes
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup matzo meal or panko crumbs
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Oil or cooking spray
• Sour cream and applesauce, for serving

Method:

• Prepare the potato mixture: Peel and grate the potatoes and onion. Place the grated vegetables on a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze out any excess moisture. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, and add the eggs, matzo meal or panko crumbs, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
• Form the latkes: Grease the air fryer racks or basket with oil or cooking spray. Drop the potato mixture in 2-3 tablespoon dollops, and flatten the tops to form patties.
• Air fry: Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Cook the latkes in batches if needed. Spray the tops of the latkes with cooking spray or oil, and air fry at 375-400°F for 8 minutes.
• Flip and finish cooking: After the first 8 minutes, flip the latkes over and spray again with cooking spray or oil. Finish air frying for about 5-10 minutes, or until the latkes are crispy and golden brown all over.
• Serve: Serve the latkes warm with a variety of toppings such as sour cream, applesauce, smoked salmon, or chives.

Tips:

• To make the latkes extra crispy, squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the grated potatoes and onion.
• If you want to serve the latkes sweet, omit the black pepper and serve with applesauce.
• For gluten-free latkes, use GF panko crumbs or matzo meal.
• To speed up the grating process, use a food processor with a grating attachment.
• For crispy and golden-brown latkes, preheating the air fryer is essential.
• To reheat leftovers, place the latkes in the air fryer and cook at 350°F for 7-10 minutes per side for frozen latkes or 3-5 minutes per side for refrigerated latkes.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 52
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 1g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Sodium: 165mg
• Potassium: 184mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g

Potato Pancake Ingredients

The great thing about potato pancakes is that they require just a few common ingredients. You can use any type of potato, but russet potatoes are recommended due to their high starch content. If you don't have russets, you can use Yukon Gold, Katahdin, white potatoes, or Idaho potatoes. You will need to grate or shred the potatoes, but be sure not to do this too fine. You can use a grater or a food processor to get the job done.

In addition to potatoes, you will need an egg, which acts as a binder to hold the pancakes together. Some recipes also call for a small amount of all-purpose flour to help bind the ingredients. You can use gluten-free flour if needed.

For flavour, you will need a grated onion—a yellow onion or half a yellow onion will work. You can also add some salt and pepper to taste. If you want to add some spice, you can include smoked paprika, oregano, or garlic powder.

To cook the potato pancakes, you will need oil to grease your air fryer or frying pan. You can also use butter for a rich dairy note.

How to Make Potato Pancakes

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Egg
• Onion
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Oil
• Sour cream
• Green onions
• Oregano
• Smoked paprika

Method

First, peel and grate your potatoes. If you want to save time, you can use a food processor to shred them, but be careful not to grate them too finely. Grate half a yellow onion and add it to the potatoes. Place the mixture on a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the excess moisture.

Next, add an egg, flour, salt, pepper, and any other desired spices to the mixture. If you want to make sweet potato pancakes, omit the pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly, making sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Form the mixture into small, flat potato pancakes, about 2-3 inches in diameter.

Preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F. Generously coat the air fryer basket with oil. Place the potato pancakes inside, making sure not to overcrowd the basket, and cook for 10-15 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook for an additional 4-10 minutes, until fully cooked and crispy.

Serve your potato pancakes with a dollop of sour cream and a garnish of green onions. You can also serve them with applesauce, smoked salmon, or a variety of dips and sauces.

Tips

• Don't grate the potatoes ahead of time, as they may change colour due to oxidation.
• If you're having trouble with the mixture running through the cracks in the air fryer basket, place a sheet of parchment paper at the bottom.
• If your potato mixture is too runny, add more flour to thicken it.
• If you want to reheat your potato pancakes, place them in the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 3-5 minutes at 350°F until heated through and crispy.

How to Reheat Potato Pancakes

To reheat potato pancakes in an air fryer, place them in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving space between each pancake. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until they are crispy and heated through.

If you are reheating potato pancakes that have been frozen, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw before placing them in the air fryer. You can also reheat potato pancakes in a pan with a bit of oil or in the oven.

Potato Pancake Toppings

Potato pancakes are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of toppings. Here are some ideas for potato pancake toppings:

Savory Toppings

• Sour cream
• Green onions
• Smoked salmon
• Cream cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Poached egg
• Fresh herbs
• Roasted garlic
• Blue cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Ranch dressing
• Red peppers
• Tomato-basil jam
• Crispy bacon
• Spinach
• Cheddar cheese
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Salt

Sweet Toppings

• Applesauce
• Honey
• Pomegranate seeds
• Pumpkin butter
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves

Feel free to mix and match toppings and dips to make the potato pancakes your own!

Frequently asked questions