Latkes
If you've got russet potatoes, matzo meal and applesauce, you're most of the way to this vegetarian: about 60 minutes of cooking across 7 steps. You'll find the full ingredient list (with a scaler to change the servings), 7 steps of method, substitutions, and ideas for what to serve alongside.
You'll mainly reach for frying pan / skillet and pan. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (3)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
🔁 Unit converter
How to make it
- Peel the potatoes and grate them along with the onion on the coarse side of a box grater, alternating the two so the onion helps keep the potatoes from browning.
- Transfer the grated mixture to a clean kitchen towel and wring out as much liquid as possible, which is essential for crisp latkes.
- In a bowl, combine the squeezed potato and onion with the beaten egg, matzo meal, salt, and pepper, mixing until the batter just holds together.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers and a shred of potato sizzles immediately when dropped in.
- Scoop heaping spoonfuls of the mixture into the oil and flatten each into a thin patty, frying 3 to 4 at a time without crowding the pan.
- Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deeply golden and crisp, then transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate and sprinkle with a little extra salt.
- Serve the latkes hot with applesauce on the side.
You'll use: Frying pan / skillet · Pan · Large pot
Tips & common questions
How long does Latkes take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 8 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Latkes vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat or fish, so it's suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheeses for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Latkes is an original recipe developed in-house by Consomee. Photo: Potato latkes 2.jpg by Ich, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure on top — how we source recipes.