Thick & Crunchy Latkes (Potato Pancakes)
Latkes, potato pancakes, or however you say it—these crispy, golden bites of dopamine are the real star in the eyes of any kid during Hanukkah. In this vid, I’m diving into my favorite style of latkes, inspired by the legendary Manny’s Deli here in Chicago. I’ll show you what makes their potato pancakes so iconic and share my take on their thiccc, crispy perfection. Whether you’re team thick or thin, this recipe will change how you make them from here on out. Happy Hanukkah! 🤘🏼Adam
Yield: 8-12 large latkes
Thick & Crunchy Latkes (Potato Pancakes)
Prep time: 30 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 1 Hour
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by peeling the potatoes and onion. Grate both the potatoes and onion using a box grater or food processor to get a coarse, watery mixture. Transfer the grated potato and onion into a clean dish towel, squeezing out as much liquid as possible. This step is crucial for achieving crispy latkes.
- Move the squeezed potato and onion mixture into a large bowl. Add the eggs, flour, salt, and pepper into the bowl, and mix well to combine.
- Heat a layer of vegetable oil to 350F in a large skillet over medium heat.
- For each latke, use a 1 cup scoop of the potato mixture and place it into the skillet, flattening slightly by patting it with the side of your spatula to create visible lines in the latke. Ensure that the skillet isn't overcrowded - you'll need to cook the latkes in batches.
- Fry each latke for about 7-8 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. After frying, transfer the latkes onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serve the latkes hot with applesauce, creme fraiche and/or sour cream.
Adam's Notes
- Moisture is the enemy of crispy latkes. You can even give them a final squeeze after they’ve been shaped. Don’t worry about the potato oxidizing and changing to a pink-brown, they’ll fry up nice either way.
- This recipe is inspired by Manny's Deli in Chicago. Go check out their restaurant when you're in town! It's super old-school and fun.
A finished latke with a swirl of sour cream and chive oil as seen in the YouTube Short.
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