Before rushing to the recipe, a little knowledge of latkes is necessary. They are meant to symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah when the oil of the Menorah in the ransacked Second Temple of Jerusalem was flamed for a straight eight days, while there was just enough oil for only one day. The main symbolism of the miracle is oil, in which latkes are deep-fried.
Served with apple sauce and sour cream, latkes are hot and crispy just like the traditional potato latkes made with oil and grease. But the twist in this recipe is the air fryer, which uses circulating hot air (and some oil sprayed on food for crispy touch) rather than a whole oil bottle.
If you haven’t tried latkes yet, then you need to change this because this is a delicious dish, impossible to hate. They are popular during Hannukah and are made with grated potatoes, diced onion, eggs, and matzo meals.
Latkes are shaped irregularly but cooked to perfection with golden-brown crisped-up edges, soft interiors, and steamy yet savory flavors.
No Hanukkah celebration is completed without the fried latkes but making them in big batches can be a hassle, but worry not cause the air fryer has done magic when making big batches of any food.
It makes big batches a breeze and gives the ease of cleaning with a lot of health benefits. This recipe is all about tradition, flavors, and nutrition, so without further ado, let’s dive right in:
What is the difference between latkes and potato pancakes?
They are similar in the way that potatoes and eggs are used as the main ingredients, but latkes have a difference because they are traditionally made with matzo meal, baking powder, and sometimes milk. Latkes are made during Hanukkah to commemorate a visible miracle, whereas potato pancakes began as a cheap and necessary inventory.
Another difference that makes each other stand out is, latkes are made only with grated potatoes while potato pancakes can be made either with raw grated potatoes or cooked mashed potatoes.
What temperature should latkes be fried at?
Latkes can be fried at a temperature of 360-375 degrees Fahrenheit. They are mostly shallow-fried, lightly submerged in the oil until golden brown, but an air fryer makes the same textured latkes as fried at 375 degrees using only a little oil.
Preheat the fryer to 375 Fahrenheit or 190 Celsius, put the dollops of mixture on the parchment paper and flatten them, then spray with oil. Flipping once halfway, leave them to cook until they get crispy and crunchy.
Can you air fry trader joe’s latkes?
Yes, you can air-fry the Trader Joe’s latkes whether they are frozen or thawed. They are great to have on hand when craving light and fulfilling meals. You just have to place them in an air fryer with a little cooking oil sprayed on them and you’ll have a quick meal in minutes.
Now, as they are frozen, the instructions will be slightly different than usual. Preheat the air fryer to 380 Fahrenheit, place them in a single layer in the basket and cook for 10 minutes.
Flip them once after 5 minutes of midway cooking and your latkes are ready to be munched on.
How do you make the best latkes in an air fryer?
Ingredients:
- Potatoes (peeled)
- Large egg
- Onion (chopped and diced)
- All-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cooking spray
Directions:
- Grate the potatoes finely, and let them rest for a couple of minutes so that the liquid is drained out, Firmly squeeze and drain any remaining liquid.
- Place the potatoes in a large bowl then add egg, flour, onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to the same bowl. Mix them well until combined.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 Fahrenheit degrees.
- Place the parchment paper in the basket and lightly spray it with oil then pour the mixture (only 1/4 of the cup) onto greased paper. Gently flatten them out.
- Spray oil the flattened mixture again and let it cook for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy edges.
- Serve immediately in the traditional way or just with your preferred sauce. Enjoy the hot latkes!
For more, you can watch the following video
Why are my latkes not crispy?
This is the most common complaint when making latkes. There are different reasons why your latkes are soggy but not crispy, and you might be making them absent-mindedly.
Here are some of the mistakes and their explained solutions hand in hand:
- Potatoes have too much moisture: Eliminate any excess liquid by squeezing the potato when grated.
- Overcrowding: You might be over-crowding the basket, not leaving space for air to roam around from the base to the top.
- Thick dollops: Third common mistake, is the thick latke mixture on the sheet. Latkes are meant to be flat so they can be crispy enough.
- No Preheating properly: When latkes are sprayed with cooking oil and put into the air fryer, make sure the fryer is preheated at 375 Fahrenheit before cooking.
- Transfer: Just after the latkes are air fried, spread them onto a rack and let them cool down onto it so that they don’t become soggy. You can reheat them at 350 Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes before serving.
Do you put eggs in latkes?
Yes, you include eggs in the latke recipe.
Eggs and potatoes are used as the main ingredients to make the crispy latkes. The egg with the starch or flour is the secret ingredient that will hold down the shape and won’t let your latkes fall apart even after cooking and serving.
What meat goes well with latkes?
Latkes are a delectable and savory staple food that is mainly served as starters or appetizers, but you can turn them into a delicious and fulfilling meal. They can be turned into a whole meal for lunch or dinner when combined with pastrami or corned beef.
But as popularity for this dish is all around the world, they are made juicy when made with minced beef, ground pork, chicken or even turkey served hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Why do you eat apple sauce with latkes?
Apple sauce is traditionally served with a side of sour cream to cut out the greasy taste and give a creamy texture to your taste buds. You can’t go wrong with this combination unless you are an adventurous foodie and bring out more side dishes to go with the latkes.
Latkes are a blank canvas made with grated potatoes having crunchy deliciousness, but serving them with the applesauce sweetness will conceal and balance out the oil, while sour cream plays a counterpart by making a creamy match to the salty latkes.
Can you shred potatoes ahead of time for latkes?
You can peel and grate the raw potatoes for latkes ahead of time. The real question is, how much ahead of time? Well, you can either prepare them 3 days or 3 hours before you make latkes.
When you grate potatoes 3 hours before, put them in a bowl and let them sit for some time so that the excess starch water leeches out. Drain and discard the water before mixing them with eggs, and flour.
However, if you choose to grate potatoes 3 days before, mindfully store them submerged in a large bowl of water with some drops of vinegar or lemon. When the day arrives, drain the excess water and dry them thoroughly so they don’t become soggy after cooking.
Can you use pink-turned potatoes for the latkes?
Pink-turned potatoes are “totally safe to eat” as assured by the Idaho Potato Commission, unlike green, black, grey, or even sprouted potatoes. Although not very attractive, they can be consumed by anyone and can be used in any dish.
The potatoes discolor when they are cut and their enzymes react with the oxygen, thus processing oxidation within the potatoes. There’s a way to stop this oxidation process, and it’s simply by submerging them into the water with one or two drops of vinegar or lemon until the potatoes are ready to be used.
Nutritional Value Of Air-Fried Latkes
A Latke is a delicious appetizer or a treat, but having to munch on them without any second thought could lead you to weight gain and an increase in a lot of harmful things. So, before you eat them just like any other day, it is best to know what is consumed.
Here is the nutrition list for your convenience:
| Nutritional value | 1 serving (100g) |
| Calories | 131 |
| Total fat | 6.6g |
| Sodium | 400mg |
| Total carbohydrates | 15g |
| Potassium | 3.5g |
Back in the day, latkes were made drenched in oil, but making latkes in an air fryer cuts out the fat and cholesterol way more than the fried version. While the taste is good, if you are a gym enthusiast and are passionate about weight loss and internal health, then you might need to put a hold on latkes.
Can potato latkes be reheated?
Yes, latkes can be heated without any worry or mess.
A quick round in an air fryer will make leftover latkes crispy and crunchy as if they were made just now. You just have to put the latkes on a baking sheet in an air fryer basket and let them reheat for 4-5 minutes at 350 Fahrenheit, and they’ll come out looking like a fresh batch.
Here is a tip for you, to store the leftovers let the latkes cool down before putting them in the airtight container and then in the refrigerator. They will last 2-3 days maximum.
| Preparation | 20 mins |
| Cooking | 20 mins |
| Total time | 40 mins |
| Cuisine | Jewish |
| Course | Sidedish/ appetizer |
Can I Substitute Matzo Meal for Flour?
Matzo meal is created using Matzo, a traditional unleavened bread that can be substituted for all-purpose flour.
Air fryers are an excellent method to make traditionally fried foods healthier while avoiding the use of a deep fryer. To cook food, an air fryer employs a heating element and circulating hot air, whereas a deep fryer uses hot vegetable oil, which contains extra calories and fats.
What Are the Best Potatoes for Latkes?
There are several potato varieties that can be utilized for latkes, but the russet potato is the most popular.
It has a high starch content, making it ideal for generating crispy on the exterior and fluffy on the interior latkes. Yukon gold potatoes and red potatoes are also nice options. Waxy potatoes, such as young potatoes or fingerlings, should be avoided for this dish.
SUMMARY:
- Latkes are made on the Hannukah festival to remember a miracle but it all started in Italy and having the deepest roots in it.
- They are made simply with eggs, diced onions, grated potatoes, matzo meal, and sometimes milk or baking powder.
- They are traditionally served with applesauce and sour cream to cut out the greasy flavor and burst a creamy flavor on the taste buds.
- Shallow-fried latkes were made back in time, but trying them in an air fryer makes a no-mess experience because they use just a spray of oil on the latkes.
- Air frying the latkes will give you many advantages, some of them are less cleaning, no big-tine efforts, easy handling, no mess, and biggest of all is for the overall health benefits.