Deliciously Crispy: Air Fryer Latkes Recipe for Hanukkah and Beyond

Saying NO to stodgy, dense, heavy, possibly a bit wet or greasy latkes (yuck!).

On my birthday, which fell on October 7th (Somber sigh - in light of Israel's “Black Shabbat”), my husband and daughter gave me an airfryer. This thoughtful gift provided a bright moment in an otherwise somber and tension-filled day, marked by distressing news of terrorist attacks in Israel.

As soon as I got the airfryer, my mind was set on Hanukkah latkes. This year, I aimed to create a latke recipe in the air fryer as an alternative to the traditional frying method, with the goal of making these delicious treats a healthier choice for us.

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I have always had an ambivalent relationship with latkes. On the one hand, I value the tradition of making them to mark the holiday of Hanukkah and I love potatoes. On the other hand, I mostly find latkes too stodgy and oily, and the lingering smell of fried foods makes me gag. I have a childhood memory of being in our synagogue basement for the annual Hanukkah party. The synagogue is called Beth Israel and is in central rural Maine and the Hanukkahs in my memory are from the 1980’s - when the temperatures were below freezing, people had big hair, we were wearing jelly bracelets and women wore jackets with shoulder pads. The synagogue kitchen was in the basement and when we entered the synagogue for the Hanukkah party, the oil smell was overpowering. Even after leaving the party and getting into our freezing cold car to drive home, the oil smell would linger on my clothes and hair.   

All this to say that I feel motivated every year to find a way to make latkes without so much oil and that smell! I am always looking for ways to make traditional Jewish food even better for us.

What is an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it at a high speed. It works by using convection to create a crispy and browned exterior on the food, similar to what you would achieve with traditional deep frying, but with significantly less oil. Air fryers typically have a heating element and a fan that evenly distributes the hot air, allowing you to cook a variety of foods, including french fries, chicken wings, vegetables, and even baked goods, with a fraction of the oil traditionally required for frying, and often in a fraction of the time. This method of cooking is often considered a healthier alternative to deep frying because it reduces the overall fat content in the food while still producing a crispy texture. Perfect for our airfryer potato latkes!

Which Air Fryer Did I Get

I have the Ninja SF301 Speedi Rapid Cooker.  I wanted an airfryer because I’m always trying to think of ways to help myself out in the kitchen and since I started eating meat in 2021, I am trying to learn how to prepare meat in different delicious ways. 

It's an all in one cooker that is fun, convenient and efficient.  And it’s not just for frying or roasting; this airfryer also has settings for steaming, dehydrating and slow cooking, among others.

About Traditional Latkes

Jewish latkes, also known as potato latkes, are a traditional Jewish dish, particularly popular during the festival of Hanukkah. They are essentially potato pancakes, made by grating or shredding potatoes and mixing them with other ingredients before frying them to a crispy golden brown. Here's some more information about Jewish latkes:

Ingredients: The primary ingredient in latkes is grated or shredded potatoes. Other common ingredients include onions, eggs, flour or matzo meal, and various seasonings such as salt and pepper. Some recipes also incorporate ingredients like garlic or scallions for added flavor.  

Hanukkah Tradition: Latkes are a significant part of the Hanukkah celebration. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting eight days in the Temple's menorah. To symbolize this miracle, Jewish families often prepare and enjoy foods fried in oil, with latkes being a classic example.

Preparation: To make latkes, the potatoes and onions are typically grated or shredded, and then excess moisture is squeezed out. The mixture is then combined with the other ingredients to form a batter. Small portions of this batter are fried in oil until they turn golden brown and crispy. The latkes are traditionally served with toppings like applesauce or sour cream.

Variations: While the classic version features potato latkes, variations also exist. Some people make latkes with sweet potatoes, zucchini, other vegetables and sometimes cheese. 

Cultural Significance: Latkes have become a symbol of Jewish cuisine, particularly during Hanukkah. They represent the historical and religious significance of the holiday.

Details About This  Airfryer potato latke recipe 

The three main ingredients in this recipe are potatoes, eggs, and corn flakes!

The secret ingredient in these potato latkes is corn flakes - rather than flour or matzo meal.  Corn flakes create a perfect consistency that is light and crispy, rather than stodgy, dense, heavy, possibly a bit wet or greasy (yuck!).

These latkes are oil-free!!!  The hanukkah miracle does not ask us to eat lots of oil - we light candles in our hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorahs) and recite this Hannukah blessing to mark the miracle of Hanukkah. 

Airfryer Potato Latkes Recipe Served with Honey Applesauce and Harissa Sour Cream

prep time: 15 min

Bake time: 10 minutes 

Total Time: 25 min

Yield: 8-10 medium sized latkes 

İngredients:

• 3 large potatoes

• 1 large onion

• 1 egg

• 1 cup crushed plain cornflakes 

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• 1 teaspoon of black pepper

• Thinly sliced scallions and chopped parsley (for garnish)

• Apple sauce (for serving)

• Sour cream (for serving) - If you want a spicier sour cream, add 1 tsp of harissa to the sourcream and mix. 

Instructions:

• Start by grating the potatoes and onion. Squeeze out excess moisture by pressing them through a clean kitchen towel.

• Place the grated potatoes and onions in a large bowl. Add the egg, crushed plain cornflakes), salt, and black pepper. Mix the ingredients well.

• Preheat the Airfryer to 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit).

• Lightly grease the Airfryer basket or use parchment paper.

• Take portions of the mixture and shape them into latkes. Arrange them in the Airfryer basket.

• Use the Airfryer to cook the latkes for approximately 10 minutes. Then, at the halfway mark, carefully flip the latkes with the help of tongs.

• Continue cooking until the latkes turn golden brown. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the latkes.

• Before serving, sprinkle thinly sliced scallions and chopped parsley on top of the latkes.

• You can serve them hot with applesauce and.or sour cream on the side.  

It pairs wonderfully with a dollop of cold sour cream when serving.

AppleSauce Sweetened with Honey

İngredients:

• 3 apples

• 1 teaspoon honey

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 1/2 cup water

• Zest of half a lemon

Instructions:

1. Start by peeling the apples, removing the cores, and chopping them into small pieces.

2. Place the chopped apples in a saucepan and add 1/2 cup of water.

3. Add the cinnamon stick to the saucepan.

4. Heat the saucepan over medium heat, and add the honey. Taste the mixture and add more honey if desired.

5. Cook until it thickens and the apples become soft, about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

6. Once the cooking is done, remove the cinnamon stick and add the lemon zest.

7. You can use a blender or food processor to blend the applesauce to your desired consistency.

8. Transfer the cooled apple sauce to a jar or glass container and store it in the refrigerator.