Air-Fryer Latkes: A Healthy, Quick Hanukkah Treat

Latkes are a popular dish, especially during Hanukkah, and are traditionally fried on a stovetop. However, air fryers have emerged as a convenient alternative to prepare these crispy potato pancakes with minimal oil and less mess. Air-fried latkes are not only easier to make but also yield a crispy, golden-brown treat that can be served as an appetizer or a side dish. So, if you're looking for a tasty snack without the hassle of deep-frying, air fryer latkes are definitely worth considering!

Air fryer latkes recipe

Air-fried latkes are a delicious and healthier alternative to traditionally fried latkes. They are crispy, golden, and tasty! Here is a detailed recipe for making them.

Ingredients:

• Russet potatoes
• Onion
• Eggs
• Matzo meal or flour (for binding)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Oil or cooking spray
• Toppings of your choice (sour cream, applesauce, chives, smoked salmon, etc.)

Instructions:

• Preparation: Peel and grate the potatoes and onion. You can use a box grater or a food processor. Place them in a clean kitchen towel, squeeze out the excess moisture, and transfer them to a large bowl.
• Mixing: Whisk together the eggs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in the bowl with the potatoes and onion. You can also add matzo meal or flour for extra binding. Mix well.
• Preheating: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Grease the air fryer racks or basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
• Cooking: Drop the latke mixture in small portions into the air fryer, flattening them slightly. Spray the tops with cooking spray or brush with oil. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, rotating the trays halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
• Serving: Serve immediately with your choice of toppings, such as sour cream, applesauce, chives, or smoked salmon.

Tips:

• Do not crowd the air fryer. Cook the latkes in batches to ensure even cooking.
• For gluten-free latkes, use chickpea flour or gluten-free panko bread crumbs instead of matzo meal.
• You can add other vegetables like shredded zucchini or spices like cinnamon to customize your latkes.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

How to get the crispiest latkes

Latkes are a delicious treat, especially during Hanukkah, and can be made in an air fryer with minimal oil and fuss. The key to crispy latkes is to reduce the moisture content of the potatoes as much as possible. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect, crispy latkes:

Ingredients

• Russet potatoes (high starch content keeps them from falling apart)
• Onion (chopped or grated)
• Eggs (whole)
• Matzo meal or flour (for binding)
• Salt and pepper
• Oil (vegetable, canola, or olive oil)
• Toppings of your choice (sour cream, applesauce, chives, smoked salmon, etc.)

Method

• Prepare the Potatoes: Peel and grate the potatoes. Place the grated potatoes in a bowl of cold water to remove excess starch. After 15 minutes, squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• Prepare the Onion: Grate or chop the onion. If grating, you can combine it with the potatoes and follow the same process.
• Mix the Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, matzo meal or flour, salt and pepper, and any other seasonings. Add this mixture to the potato and onion shreds, and combine well.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Grease the air fryer basket or racks with cooking spray or brush with oil.
• Form and Cook the Latkes: Drop dollops of the latke mixture into the air fryer, flattening them into patties. Spray or brush the tops of the latkes with oil. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
• Serve: Latkes are best served warm. You can top them with traditional choices such as sour cream and applesauce, or get creative with smoked salmon, pimento cheese, chives, or green onion.

Tips for Extra Crispiness:

• Use a salad spinner to remove moisture from the potatoes.
• Chop the potato shreds into smaller pieces to make the latkes more compact.
• Reheat any leftover latkes in the air fryer to make them crispier.
• If your air fryer has a rack, you can cook both racks simultaneously.

Potato types for air fryer latkes

Russet potatoes are the best type of potato for air fryer latkes. Their high starch content keeps them from falling apart and makes for a crispier texture. The key to crispy latkes is to get as much moisture out of the potatoes as possible. Before grating the potatoes, peel them and remove as much moisture as possible by placing them on a clean kitchen towel, pulling up the sides, and squeezing.

While russet potatoes are recommended, some cooks swear by the buttery flavor of Yukon Gold potatoes. If you want to add other vegetables, you can keep the potato base and add shredded winter squash, zucchini, parsnips, or celery root.

To make the latke mixture, grate the potatoes and onion and place them in a large bowl. Add eggs, panko or matzo meal, salt, and pepper, and stir well to combine. If you want crispier latkes, save the liquid you strained from the potatoes in a small bowl and allow the potato starch to settle to the bottom. Pour off the excess liquid, and then add the starchy juice to your latke mixture.

How to serve air fryer latkes

Air fryer latkes are a delicious and crispy alternative to traditionally fried latkes. They are made with grated potatoes, onion, matzo meal, and eggs. The key to crispy latkes is to remove as much moisture from the potatoes as possible. To do this, you can grate the potatoes and place them in a bowl of cold water to remove the starch. After sitting for at least 15 minutes, squeeze the potatoes to remove the excess liquid.

To make the latkes, start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F and greasing the basket tray with cooking spray. In batches, drop the latke mixture by 1/4 cupfuls or 2-tablespoon dollops into the air fryer basket, flattening the tops to make a patty. Spritz the tops with cooking spray and cook until golden brown, about 12 to 17 minutes, or until crispy and dark golden brown on the outside.

Now, for the fun part: serving! There are many ways to top a latke, but the classic toppings are sour cream and applesauce. You can also try chives, green onion, smoked salmon, pimento cheese, or even caviar if you want to get fancy. If you're serving them as an appetizer, you might want to make them a little smaller and provide a dipping sauce of sour cream and applesauce.

Air fryer latkes toppings

Air fryer latkes are a delicious treat and can be topped with a variety of fun and classic toppings. The most common toppings are sour cream and applesauce, but you can also try smoked salmon, pimento cheese, or even caviar for a fancy touch. If you want to add some greenery, garnish with chopped parsley, chives, or green onion.

For those who like their latkes with a bit of spice, try seasoning with garlic powder, seasoned salt, or even nutmeg and cinnamon. You can also add different vegetables to the latke mixture, such as shredded winter squash, zucchini, parsnips, or celery root. Get creative and experiment with different toppings and ingredients to find your favourite combination!

Latkes are traditionally served during Hanukkah and are usually fried on the stovetop, but the air fryer yields a crispy and delicious result with half the work and mess. The key to crispy latkes is to remove as much moisture from the potatoes as possible before cooking, and to use cooking spray or oil to help them crisp and "fry" correctly.

So, get your air fryer ready and experiment with these topping ideas for a tasty treat!

Frequently asked questions