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Easy Air Fryer Latkes

by Katerina

5 from 20 votes

Dec 05, 2021, Updated Dec 04, 2023

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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!

1. 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. 
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. 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. 
5. Serve. Serve the latkes warm, with sour cream, applesauce, chives, and whatever other toppings you like.

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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5 from 20 votes

Air Fryer Latkes

by Katerina | Diethood

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!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 16

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 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

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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

• Air Fryer

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 165mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

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.

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