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

Potato latkes are a popular dish, especially during Hanukkah, and are usually fried in oil. However, air fryers offer a healthier alternative to prepare this dish without compromising on taste and texture. Air-fried latkes are just as crispy and delicious as traditionally fried ones and can be served as an appetizer or a dinner side.

Grating the potatoes

Once you have grated and dried the potatoes, you can move on to the next step of making the potato latke mixture.

Removing moisture from the potatoes

The key to achieving crispy latkes is to ensure that the potatoes are as dry as possible before frying. Here are the steps you can follow to remove moisture from the potatoes:

Step 1: Grate the Potatoes

Start by peeling and grating the potatoes. You can use a box grater or a food processor with a shredding attachment. If you're using a box grater, grate the potatoes on the large holes. The size of the shreds will depend on your texture preference. For lacy latkes with rough, crispy edges, go for a coarser shred. If you prefer denser latkes with smooth edges, use the fine side of the grater.

Step 2: Use a Kitchen Towel or Paper Towels

Once you have grated the potatoes, transfer them to a clean kitchen towel or place them on several layers of paper towels. If using a kitchen towel, pull up the sides to form a bundle. Squeeze the potatoes firmly to remove the excess moisture. You can also twist the towel or press down on the potatoes with additional paper towels to extract as much liquid as possible.

Step 3: Stir and Squeeze Again

After you've squeezed out the initial batch of moisture, open up the bundle and stir the potatoes around a little. This helps to release any remaining liquid. Then, simply squeeze the potatoes again. Repeat this process until no more moisture can be extracted.

Step 4: Transfer to a Mixing Bowl

Once you're satisfied that the potatoes are dry, transfer them to a mixing bowl. At this point, you can add your other ingredients, such as onions, eggs, matzo meal or flour, baking powder, cheese, and seasonings. Stir everything together to create your latke mixture.

By following these steps, you'll be able to remove most of the moisture from the potatoes, resulting in crispier and more delicious latkes!

Preparing the potato mixture

Peel and finely grate 2 to 4 medium russet potatoes. You can also use a food processor with a grating attachment to speed up the process. Place the grated potatoes in a colander and rinse with cold water. Transfer the potatoes onto a few layers of cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.

Next, peel and grate a small or medium yellow onion. You can also use white, red, or sweet onions. Combine the potatoes and onion in a bowl.

Add 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup matzo meal or breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to the potato mixture. You can also add some chopped fresh chives for extra flavour. Stir the mixture well to combine.

If you want your latkes to be extra crispy, you can add some extra starch. Simply save the liquid that was squeezed out of the potatoes and let it sit for a few minutes. The starch will settle at the bottom of the bowl. Pour off the excess liquid and add the starchy juice to your potato mixture.

Cooking the latkes in the air fryer

Now that you have your latke mixture ready, it's time to cook them in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at around 350-400°F. Different air fryer models may have slightly different instructions, so refer to your manufacturer's guidelines.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Grease the air fryer basket or racks with non-stick cooking spray, olive oil, avocado oil spray, or another oil of your choice. This step ensures that your latkes don't stick to the surface and helps with the crisping process.
• Form the latke patties: Use a cookie scoop or a spoon to scoop around 2-4 tablespoons of the latke mixture into the prepared air fryer basket. Flatten the tops of the patties to create a patty shape. Leave some space between each patty to allow for even cooking.
• Spray the latkes: Lightly spray the tops of the latke patties with cooking spray or olive oil spray. This will help them crisp up and turn golden brown.
• Air fry the latkes: Place the air fryer basket into the air fryer and cook the latkes for around 8 minutes. Then, flip the latkes over and spray the other side with cooking spray. Continue air-frying for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the latkes are crispy and golden brown all over. The total cooking time may vary depending on your desired level of crispness and the specifics of your air fryer model.
• Repeat in batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the latkes in multiple batches. Repeat the above steps until you've cooked all of your latke mixture.
• Serve warm: Latkes are best served warm. You can serve them with various toppings, such as sour cream, applesauce, chives, smoked salmon, or even pimento cheese. Enjoy!

Storing and reheating instructions:

If you have any leftover latkes, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-5 days. To reheat, simply place the latkes back into the air fryer and heat at 350°F for 2-5 minutes, or until they are warmed through.

Serving the latkes

Once your latkes are done, it's time to serve them! Here are some tips and suggestions for serving your air-fried latkes:

Temperature and Timing

It is best to serve latkes warm. If you have made a large batch and are reheating them, place them in the air fryer for three to four minutes or until they are thoroughly warmed. You can also reheat them in the oven or in a pan on the stovetop.

Presentation

You can serve latkes as they are or with a variety of toppings and dips. Arrange them on a platter or plate, and if you like, garnish with fresh herbs such as chopped chives.

Toppings and Sides

Latkes are traditionally served with sour cream and applesauce. You can also serve them with chives, green onions, smoked salmon, crème fraîche, pomegranate seeds, Greek yogurt, caramelized onion, thinly sliced apple, or honey. For a savoury option, top with eggs, brisket, tomatoes, herbs, or microgreens. If you're feeling indulgent, add some shredded cheese, such as cheddar, pepper jack, or Parmesan.

Accompaniments

Latkes can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. They go well with a big salad, fried eggs, or other Hanukkah staples like sufganiyot, brisket, kugel, and matzo ball soup.

Variations

While the classic latke is made with potatoes, you can experiment with different vegetables. Try adding shredded winter squash, zucchini, parsnips, or celery root to the potato base. You can also substitute the onion with leeks, shallots, or scallions.

Dietary Restrictions

To make gluten-free latkes, substitute regular flour with chickpea flour or use GF panko.

Frequently asked questions