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Air Fried Potato Latkes and Hanukkah Faves

Air fried potato latkes are remarkably good! And no need to clean a greasy stovetop!

Air-fries-potato-latkes

It was just last week that Zoe’s friend texted me looking for an air fried potato latke recipe. I told her no way! Really, I saw no way that  would work.

But being curious, I thought I would research this and found out that air fryer potato latkes are a thing!

Where have I been? 

A few years ago when our toaster oven died we bought a Cuisinart toaster oven air fryer.

air-fried-potatoes-on-gold-star-plate

 

We’ve used it for the basic air fryer things like French fries and roasted potatoes and we even tried bacon, but preferred our regular oven baked bacon instead.

I can’t say I’ve gotten real creative with it, but it is handy when you want to cook something fast.

So it was with a bit of trepidation that I decided to try air fryer latkes.

But since this is the year of the wedding diet, I thought why not? Thanks Katie for getting me into this!

air-fried-potato-latkes

There are plusses and minuses of making potato latkes in the air fryer.

On the plus side-less mess. There is no greasy stovetop to clean up.

Fewer calories, I am guessing. And they do taste good. BUT!

OK. They aren’t as good as the REAL thing. They don’t have the oil which helps carry flavor to round them out.

However! Even Manservant was surprised at how good they were. 

air-fryer-potato-latkes

I made them appetizer size which means we can grab them out of the fridge and eat them cold and there is no greasy residue on our fingers!

They do become crispy by using lots of cooking spray. And by the hot air drying them out.

I’m not sure it really saves time by cooking them in the air fryer, as they fry pretty fast on the stove, but I imagine each air fryer is a bit different. 

Imagine my surprise when they did not plop through the rack of the air fryer. But, they didn’t!

Will I try them again? Absolutely!

air-fryer-potato-pancakes

These little morsels are perfect for appetizers. Topped with smoked salmon, or scrambled eggs or some things that aren’t kosher, well, these are great teeny bites.

Yes, you can make them bigger. But I have to admit that these bite sized latkes were a great bite!

Because I was just making them for the two of us, this potato pancake recipe was just the right size.

And for a special treat I even made potato latkes stuffed with cheese curds. We loved these chewier bite sized latkes.

 Using cheese curds, I merely wrapped a bit of potato lake batter around the cheese curd. Bake according to instructions. 

Cheese Curd potato pancakes

Remember as you are making these to always squeeze out the extra liquid that accumulates as the potato pancake batter sits. Too much water makes a potato pancake soggy.

Sprinkling the cheese curd filled potato latkes with lots of fresh ground black pepper, za’atar and a light dusting of sugar, made these quite addicting. 

Try it and see! I foresee a myriad of possibilities.

But on to Hanukkah. I still have to get my menorahs out. And wrap a present for Manservant. Notice there is no plural on present!

But before I do that, let me share some Hanukah faves.

cheese-curd-potato-pancakes

For latkes, I’ve made a parsnip potato latke that is one of our favorites. Light and crispy and you wouldn’t even know there is a parsnip in there, but it does give a touch of sweetness to the potato.

And also with that post is the classic latke. Can’t ever go wrong with those!

Sweet potatoes are always popular and my sweet potato pancakes are really good. I f you still have cranberries left from Thanksgiving, throw a spoonful on top.

Green chile and cheese latkes. It goes without saying how popular these are in our house. Plus there are 6 tips to better latkes on this page!

And the Asian latkes are delish, too. And yes, they are fried in duck fat! Total yum!

Like chickpeas? This is How I Cook has chickpea latkes, too! Topped with feta and pomegranate molasses, they make a fun appetizer!

air fryer latkes

I don’t have jelly donuts but I do make these  15 minute sugar donuts with refrigerated pizza dough. Because of the wedding diet, I best not make them this year, but I sure wish I could.

And don’t forget the recent babka rugelach cake I just posted. Or perhaps you want just rugelach? This browned butter version is mouth watering!

And don’t forget my favorite Hanukkah or holiday cookie cut outs!

Brisket? Every good Hanukkah meal should have brisket. And this one is better than my mom’s because this is Ruth Reichel’s mom’s recipe! Just saying!

But my mom’s apple sauce can’t be beat. TRY THIS!

Hopefully this will keep you covered for eight days. And even if you don’t celebrate Hanukkah, there is nothing wrong with your house smelling like a fast food restaurant! 

However if you make this air fryer potato latkes recipe, it really doesn’t. Another plus!

And if you want to know the story about Hanukkah, you can read it here.

Happy Hanukkah! 

Asian Style Potato Latkes

Potato Latkes

Green Chile and Cheese Latkes

Latkes with Green Chiles and Cheese

Chickpea Latkes

Chickpea-Latkes

I’d love it if you Follow Me on Pinterest and Pin and Share!

 

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air-fried-potatoes-on-gold-star-plate

Air Fried Potato Latkes

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
  • Total Time: 60 Minutes
  • Yield: About 20 pancakes 1x
  • Category: Side Dish/MainCourse
  • Method: Air Fryer
  • Cuisine: Jewish

Description

These air fried latkes may not be the REAL thing, but they are pretty close!


Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 lbs Russet potatoes (About 2 large), peeled

1/2 medium onion

2 large eggs

1/4 c matzo meal or panko crumbs

2 t kosher salt (start with 1 t and then add to taste)

1/2 t freshly ground black pepper

Cooking spray

Optional:

Cheese Curds

Za’atar, Black Pepper and a pinch of sugar for topping


Instructions

Grate peeled potatoes and onion on the large holes of a box grater directly on to a clean kitchen towel. (You can use a food processor and the shredding blade but for two potatoes, I figured I could handle it.)

Now pull up the sides of the towel and twist the top to form a nice bundle. While holding the top of the bundle, place over sink and squeeze the liquid out. You will be in awe when you see how much liquid is in a potato!

Transfer the potato mixture to a large bowl and add the eggs, matzo meal or panko crumbs, salt and pepper and stir to combine.

If you choose to make the cheese curd version, merely take a cheese curd and press the potato mixture around it. Place on air fry tray.

Preheat oven to 375 on air fryer setting and set for about 20 minutes. Line air fryer pan with foil. Place mesh tray on top and spray well with cooking spray.

Drop 2 T dollops of latke mixture on to the air fry grate. Flatten tops as needed to make a small pancake. Spray the pancakes very well with cooking spray.

Air fry for about 8 to 15 minutes total or until they are as crispy and golden as you like. Repeat with rest of latke mixture.

Serve with suggestions above or sour cream and apple sauce. In our home we used raspberry jelly or doused them with sugar. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!

Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.


Notes

Thanks “The Kitchn” for recipe.

 

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Bobbi Marshall

Friday 11th of December 2020

So crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Thanks so much for testing these in an air fryer. We have been on fence about getting one but this has us sold. Happy Hanukkah dear friend. Stay well and take care

angiesrecipes

Thursday 10th of December 2020

These latkes look so very crisp! My husband loves them with applesauce.

Abbe

Thursday 10th of December 2020

Absolutely!

John / Kitchen Riffs

Thursday 10th of December 2020

I have yet to succumb to the allure of an air fryer. One of these days, I suppose, I'll cave. These certainly look good, and I like the size. And it sounds like they're pretty good. Fun recipe -- thanks.

Abbe

Thursday 10th of December 2020

We did the air fryer because it came as part of the toaster oven otherwise I doubt I would have bought it. But it does have its purpose!

Katie

Thursday 10th of December 2020

Omg yes thank you so much! This recipe looks perfect and I can’t wait to make them. Less mess and a little less guilt as I indulge this holiday.

Holly

Thursday 10th of December 2020

I am so basic with my air fryer-- chicken nuggets for my son and fries too-- and this sounds like the perfect recipe for me to try. I'll let you know how it goes!

Abbe

Thursday 10th of December 2020

I think you would like them Holly! After all what's not to like about latkes?