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

Potato pancakes are a delicious treat, but can you make them in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air fryer potato pancakes are a convenient and tasty way to enjoy this classic dish. With a crispy exterior and a soft centre, they can be served as a side or a main dish and enjoyed by everyone. Making potato pancakes in an air fryer is a quick and easy process, and you can even use leftover mashed potatoes to create a new and delicious dish.

How to make potato pancakes in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 2-3 medium-sized potatoes, grated
• 1/2-1 yellow onion, grated
• 1/4-1/2 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free works too)
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for greasing
• Optional: spices (e.g. paprika, garlic), green onions, sour cream, apple sauce, cheese, bacon, ham

Method

• Combine the grated potatoes, onion, and egg in a bowl. You can also add in spices and green onions at this stage if you wish.
• Add in the flour, salt, and pepper. Skip the pepper if you plan to serve the potato pancakes with something sweet, like apple sauce.
• Squeeze out any excess liquid from the mixture. This is important to ensure the potato pancakes cook evenly.
• Preheat your air fryer to 370-400°F.
• Grease the air fryer basket with oil.
• Form small potato pancakes from the mixture, about 2-3 inches in diameter, and place them in the air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd the basket, and cook in batches if necessary.
• Air fry the potato pancakes for around 15 minutes on one side, or until crispy and browned.
• Flip the pancakes and cook for another 4-10 minutes on the other side, or until fully cooked. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of the pancakes.
• Serve with sour cream, apple sauce, or your desired toppings and sauces.

Tips

• If you don't have fresh potatoes, you can use leftover mashed potatoes.
• If you're using raw potatoes, you can grate them by hand or use a food processor. Just be sure not to shred them too finely.
• If your potato mixture is too runny, add more flour to thicken it.
• If you want crispy potato pancakes, make them thinner.
• Be careful when flipping and plating the potato pancakes, as they are delicate and may break apart.
• For golden brown pancakes, spritz them with some oil.

The difference between potato pancakes and latkes

Potato pancakes and latkes are both fried, potato-based dishes with a similar texture and flavour profile. They are often served with sour cream or applesauce. However, they are distinct dishes with different ingredients, preparation methods, and origins.

Ingredients and Preparation

Potato pancakes are typically made with raw grated potatoes, eggs, and all-purpose flour. They may also include seasonings such as garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper, and are sometimes made with shredded hash browns or leftover mashed potatoes. The natural starch of the potato holds the fritter together.

Latkes, on the other hand, have a more complex "batter" and include ingredients such as baking powder, matzo meal (breadcrumbs made from ground matzo), and milk, in addition to potatoes, eggs, and flour. The milk and baking powder give latkes a slightly different texture than potato pancakes. The matzo meal helps to bind the ingredients together, so latkes do not rely as heavily on the natural starch of the potatoes. As a result, latkes use more coarsely grated potatoes, similar to the texture of hash browns.

Origins

Potato pancakes, also known as Kartoffelpuffer, originated as a street food in Germany in the 1870s. Neighbouring European countries have their own variations of potato pancakes, often with different names.

Latkes, despite their association with Hanukkah, actually originated in Italy as ricotta cheese pancakes. When Jews from Sicily were forced to move north by the Spanish, they introduced their ricotta pancakes to the local population. In the mid-1800s, after the introduction of potatoes to Eastern Europe, the latke took on its modern form as a potato-based dish fried in oil.

Tips for making potato pancakes in an air fryer

Ingredients

You can use a variety of ingredients to make potato pancakes in an air fryer. While potatoes are the base ingredient, you can also use onion, garlic, egg, flour, and spices such as paprika, salt, and pepper. If you want to make sweet potato pancakes, you can skip the pepper and serve them with applesauce.

Preparation

To prepare the potatoes, you can either grate them, shred them in a food processor, or use leftover mashed potatoes. If you grate or shred the potatoes, make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible, as this will affect how well they cook in the air fryer. You can also peel the potatoes before grating or shredding if you prefer.

Cooking

When cooking the potato pancakes in the air fryer, make sure not to overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed, and flip the pancakes halfway through. You can also spray the tops of the pancakes with oil to help them crisp up. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of the pancakes, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't burn.

Serving

Air fryer potato pancakes can be served as a side dish or a main course. They can be served with a variety of toppings and dips, such as sour cream, applesauce, smoked salmon, shredded cheese, or crumbled bacon. They can also be served as a sweet dish with cinnamon sugar or maple syrup.

How to reheat potato pancakes in an air fryer

Yes, you can make potato pancakes in an air fryer! They are a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes, turning them into something new and delicious. They are also a good option if you want to avoid using too much oil to make traditional potato pancakes.

To reheat potato pancakes in an air fryer, follow these simple steps:

• Place the leftover potato pancakes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not overcrowded, as this will affect the cooking and crispiness.
• Set the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cook the potato pancakes for 4-5 minutes. This should be enough time to heat them through and make them crispy.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

Reheating potato pancakes in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get them crispy and delicious again. You can also reheat them in a pan with some oil or in the oven.

What to serve with potato pancakes

Potato pancakes are a delicious, savory staple from countries like Belarus and Poland. They are usually served as a side dish or appetizer, but can also be enjoyed as a main course. Here are some ideas on what to serve with potato pancakes:

Main Course Options:

• Roasted chicken
• Grilled steak
• Pork chops
• Shrimp
• Salmon
• Beef stew

Toppings:

• Cottage cheese
• Cream cheese
• Green onions
• Ranch dressing
• Poached egg
• Fresh tomatoes
• Red peppers
• Tomato-basil jam

Seasonings:

• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Onion powder

Other Side Dishes:

• Coddled eggs
• Crispy Brussels sprouts
• Balsamic roasted asparagus
• Bacon-wrapped sausages
• Spinach stuffed chicken breast
• Crispy chicken cutlets

Dips and Sauces:

Potato pancakes can be enjoyed with a variety of dips and sauces, depending on your preference. Here are some options:

• Sour cream: The traditional way to serve potato pancakes is with a dollop of sour cream.
• Apple sauce: If you prefer something sweet, apple sauce is a delicious option.
• Creme fraiche: Top with creme fraiche and smoked salmon for a fancy twist.
• Chili sauce: For a spicy kick, serve with chili sauce.
• Garlic sauce: A savory garlic sauce can complement the potato pancakes nicely.

So, whether you're serving potato pancakes as a side dish, appetizer, or main course, there are plenty of options to choose from to create a delicious and well-rounded meal.

Frequently asked questions