Latke Recipes - Cooking Light

Photo: John Autry

Healthy Latke Recipes

Traditional Jewish potato pancakes, latkes, come in many delicious varieties. Here we've collected an array of favorites with a wide scope of flavors, ensuring you're bound to find something to dazzle your tastebuds. Many of these recipes also provide topping ideas like Spiced Sour Cream or Apple Salsa, so feel free to mix and match until your palate is content.

Our first recipe is a quintessential latkes recipe.

You'll need to cook latkes in batches. Place the cooked ones in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with paper towels, and keep them warm in a low oven as you fry the next batch.

View Recipe: Classic Potato Latkes

Photo: John Autry

Cilantro-Jalapeño Latkes with Chipotle Sour Cream

The traditional Jewish favorite gets a makeover with the lively flavors of lime, jalapeño, cilantro, and smoked chiles.

View Recipe: Cilantro-Jalapeño Latkes with Chipotle Sour Cream

Photo: Dana Gallagher

Potato-Apple Latkes

These sweet-savory pancakes get irresistibly crisp from pan-frying. Keep cooked latkes warm in a 200° oven as you prepare the next batch. Serve with a dollop of fat-free sour cream if you want a tangy adornment.

View Recipes: Potato-Apple Latkes

Photo: Johnny Autry

Curried Butternut Squash and Potato Latkes with Apple Salsa

Serrano chiles are more fiery than jalapeños. If you want to tame the heat, substitute a jalapeño or an even milder chile instead. If you want more spice, don't remove the seeds.

View Recipe: Curried Butternut Squash and Potato Latkes with Apple Salsa

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Basic Potato Latkes

The reserved potato starch helps bind the potato-onion mixture and adds heft to this treat. Use the shredding blade of a food processor for the quickest prep and the fluffiest texture. Thoroughly combine the potato and onion, as the onion helps prevent discoloration. Serve latkes with applesauce and sour cream.

View Recipe: Basic Potato Latkes

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Two-Potato Latkes

A basic latke is given pizzazz with the addition of shredded sweet potato, making this potato pancake slightly sweeter than expected. It will be love at first bite.

View Recipe: Two-Potato Latkes

Photo: Karry Hosford

Leek, Potato, and Caraway Latkes with Spiced Sour Cream

Aromatic caraway seeds, which add a nutty licorice flavor that's a little like that of fennel, may be omitted from the recipe, if you like. The spicy sour cream sauce cools and adds heat at the same time.

View Recipe: Leek, Potato, and Caraway Latkes with Spiced Sour Cream

Photo: Randy Mayor

Root Vegetable Latkes

These latkes are decidedly different with the addition of parsnips and sweet potatoes. Serve with fresh cranberry sauce for a tangy topping.

View Recipe: Root Vegetable Latkes

Photo: Tina Cornett

Sunchoke Latkes

Use the shredder blade of a food processor to quickly shred the artichokes, potato, and carrot. Cook the latkes soon after combining the ingredients so the mixture does not become watery; if this happens, though, remove the mixture from the liquid using a slotted spoon.

View Recipe: Sunchoke Latkes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Potato-Scallion Latkes

Latkes are a classic Hanukkah dish. The patties are cooked in oil, symbolizing the small amount of oil in a temple lamp that burned for eight days, the miracle the holiday commemorates. Garnish with extra green onions.

View Recipe: Potato-Scallion Latkes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Potato Latkes

Place cooked patties on paper towels to lightly drain some of the oil. The potato mixture releases moisture as it sits, so squeeze the latkes before cooking them. Serve with light sour cream and applesauce.

View Recipe: Potato Latkes

Photo: Randy Mayor

Parsnip-Potato Latkes with Horseradish Cream

Pressing the patties firmly between your hands when you're shaping them helps bind all of the ingredients together.

View Recipe: Parsnip-Potato Latkes with Horseradish Cream

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Mashed Potato Latkes with Zucchini and Dill

These potato cakes are made with mashed potatoes instead of traditional shredded potatoes. They're great with Pear Applesauce. Combine and refrigerate the potato mixture up to a day ahead; dredge in matzo meal and sauté just before serving.

View Recipe: Mashed Potato Latkes with Zucchini and Dill