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These Easy Air Fryer Latkes are made with a traditional blend of Russet potatoes, onions, and egg, and cook up into golden-brown perfection in your air fryer! You’ll love the savory flavor, crisp lacy edges, and steamy, soft interior.
If you love using the air fryer, you have to try my amazing air fryer crab cakes made with juicy crab meat and zesty seasonings! These air fryer zucchini fritters are also fantastic, packing a punch of flavor and texture.
Classic Crispy Latkes in the Air Fryer!
It’s latke time, you guys! When the season of Hanukkah rolls around, the festive and beautiful traditions involved are so inspiring. I love the story of how a little bit of oil miraculously lasted 8 days, giving hope even in dire times. I also love enjoying the traditional treats associated with the celebration – anything fried in oil is up for grabs! Doughnuts are a favorite, but latkes have all my love.
Whether you observe the holiday or not, these crispy, golden-brown potato fritters are an amazing treat! And when you use an Air Fryer, they’re seriously easy to make.
What’s the Difference Between Potato Pancakes and Latkes?
Technically, a latke doesn’t actually have to be made with potatoes, although that’s probably the most famous version. “Latke” is Yiddish for “little oily thing,” and a latke is basically a fritter; a small fried patty of some kind. They can be made with all kinds of different ingredients, but somewhere along the way the favorite potato and onion version really took off in popularity. These days, if you hear the word “latke,” you probably think of one of these tasty potato fritters.
Potato Latkes Ingredients
- Potatoes: While some cooks swear by the buttery flavor of Yukon Gold, in general, Russet potatoes are the “gold standard” for latkes! Peel several large russet potatoes before grating them.
- Onion: Peel a small onion. I usually use yellow onions, but you could also use white, red, or sweet onions.
- Eggs: To bind the mixture together, you’ll need a couple of large, whole eggs.
- Panko: Panko crumbs add texture and also help bind the mixture. You could also use matzo crumbs or meal.
- Salt and Pepper
- Sour Cream, Apple Sauce, and Chives: For serving. There’s nothing like a fresh, hot potato latke dipped in applesauce or sour cream or sprinkled with fresh chopped chives.
How to Make Air Fryer Latkes
Making these potato latkes is super easy! The key to making sure that they turn out crispy and not falling apart is to dry the grated veggies carefully. Take a look at these easy steps!
- Prep the Air Fryer and the Veggies. Before you get started, set the air fryer to preheat to 400˚F. Next, grate the potatoes and the onion on the large holes of a box grater. Then place the grated veggies onto a clean kitchen towel, pull up the sides of the towel to make a bundle, and squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
- Make the Potato Latke Mixture. Place the dried potatoes and onions in a large bowl. Add the eggs, panko crumbs, salt, and pepper, and stir well to combine.
- Start Frying the Latkes. Grease the air fryer racks (or basket) with cooking spray, and drop dollops of the potato mixture, flattening each to make a patty. Spray the patties with cooking spray, and cook in the air fryer for 8 minutes.
- Flip the Latkes and Finish Cooking. After the first 8 minutes, flip the latkes over and spray again with cooking spray. Finish air-frying for about 5 more minutes, or until the latkes are crispy and golden brown all over.
- Serve. Serve the latkes warm, with sour cream, applesauce, chives, and whatever other toppings you like.
Tips for Amazing Latkes
- Make a Lot(ke): If you want to make latkes for a crowd, you can speed up the process (literally!) by using a food processor. The large holes of the grating attachment will produce perfect latke shreds.
- Extra Starch: To help your latkes hold together and turn out even more crispy, save the liquid you strain out of them in a small bowl. Allow the liquid to sit for several minutes, so that the potato starch settles to the bottom of the bowl. Pour off the excess liquid from the top of the bowl, and then scrape the starchy juice into your latke batter. This added potato starch is great for crispy latkes!
- Breathing Space: Make sure to space the latkes out in the air fryer. If you crowd the racks or basket, the latkes won’t cook as well, and can even turn out mushy!
- Spice Things Up: This basic recipe can be modified in any way you like! Seasonings like garlic powder, seasoned salt, or even nutmeg and cinnamon can add a punch of flavor to your latkes.
Storing And Reheating Leftovers
- To refrigerate leftovers, just cool them on a baking rack or tray, and then pack them into airtight containers.
- If you want to store them in layers, make sure to put a piece of parchment or wax paper between each layer to prevent sticking. Stored this way, they’ll keep for up to 2 days in the fridge and 2 weeks in the freezer.
- Reheat frozen or refrigerated latkes in the air fryer. Preheat to 350˚F and air-fry for 7 to 10 minutes per side for frozen or 3 to 5 minutes per side for refrigerated.
More Air Fryer Favorites
- Air Fryer Fried Calamari
- Crispy Air Fryer Onion Rings
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
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Air Fryer Latkes
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 russet potatoes,, peeled
- 1 small yellow onion
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup panko crumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- fresh ground black pepper,, to taste
- chopped fresh chives,, for garnish
For Serving
- sour cream
- applesauce
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 400˚F.
- Grate the potatoes and onion on the large holes of a box grater.
- Transfer the mixture to a kitchen towel, pull up the sides of the towel, and squeeze out the moisture as much as possible.
- Place the potato mixture in a large bowl.
- To the potato mixture add the eggs, panko crumbs, salt, and pepper; stir until well combined.
- Grease the air fryer racks or basket with cooking spray.
- Drop the potato mixture in 2 to 3 tablespoon dollops into the air fryer, flattening the top to make a patty. DO NOT crowd the air fryer – arrange the latkes in one single layer, and cook them in batches.
- Spray the tops with cooking spray.
- Cook in the air fryer for 8 minutes.
- Flip them over, grease with cooking spray, and continue to cook for 5 more minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
- Garnish with fresh chopped chives and serve with sour cream, apple sauce, etc…
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Iโm not sure why this recipe says 30 minutes total. It says not to crowd the air fryer, so I was able to cook 4 at a time. At 16 minutes for each batch of 4, thatโs 64 minutes in cooking time alone for a single batch. This takes a lot longer than oil simply because I can usually get 8-10 latkes in my pot at a time and they donโt take 16 minutes per batch. I also added seasoning like garlic salt, salt onion powder, and a pinch of cinnamon because the recipe as is seemed a bit bland. I gave it 3 stars mostly because of the completely inaccurate time.
Youโre absolutely right that the cooking time can vary depending on the size of your air fryer and how many latkes fit in each batch. Iโll make a note to clarify this in the recipe instructions to better reflect the potential variations in total time. Thank you for trying the recipe and sharing your thoughtsโI truly appreciate it!
Panko? Why wouldnโt you use Matzo Meal if weโre going with the traditional Jewish theme?
The texture of Matzo Meal is what makes the consistently, whereas Panko is much lighter and crispier and a far different texture. Just curious as someone who is also in the food industry. Isnโt this just hash browns?
Has anyone substitued almond flour for the panko crumbs?
These are the BEST latkes Iatkes I have ever tried! The air fryer was a the way to make them too. Definitely use avocado cooking spray!!!
Good day! This is the recipe Iโve been looking for! All the comments help. Just a quick questionโฆ my air fryer is one with double doors which air fries and bakes, etc. Iโll put it on air fry? Or does baking also work?
Thank you.
Hi!
Because I tested this particular recipe with an air fryer, I would say to choose the air fry setting, not the bake setting.
They turned out great.
I used a food processor to speed up the grating portion. The air fryer made the latkes nice and crispy. So much easier and cleaner than oil splattering all over the place, Iโll definitely use this recipe again.
I canโt wait to try this recipe! One question – if Iโm gluten free, do you recommend GF panko or do I need to include another ingredient to get the right outcome? Thanks for your insight!
Yep, GF panko works perfectly. ๐
Looks pretty easy. Wife will try it as I manage. lol
Hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! ๐
Followed the recipe as written. Absolutely delicious and much healthier than the classic oil-fried version. Added to our list of favourites!
That’s wonderful! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! ๐