By Arielle Weg-Zager
One of my favorite traditions during the holiday season is throwing a big latke party. I’ve tried time and time again to find the perfect recipe (see below if you want it!) for the crispiest, crunchiest latkes, but I find that keeping the oil clear after frying so many latkes is still quite challenging. Everyone knows the first few pancakes always come out a little wonky, but nobody talks about how the last few often burn or taste bitter. But a recent internet revelation changed the way I fry latkes (or anything) forever.
Cookbook author Adeena Sussman posted to her Instagram a brilliant trick to keep her frying oil clean—add a carrot to the oil. The carrot attracts some of the bits that come off of the foods frying, keeps the oil clean, and helps to regulate the frying temperature. This will maintain a more consistent fry and avoid any burnt or bitter bits floating around and attaching to a frying pancake. Just don’t eat the carrot at the end! It probably won’t taste very good. And that’s it. Just be sure to trim off any top green bits (they may burn), and there’s no need to peel.
While this hack actually works for anything you want to fry (think fried green tomatoes, fried chicken sliders, fried fish tacos, or Hanukkah donuts), here are some fantastic fried latke recipes to choose from. And you can check out our guide to the best cooking oil to use for some extra frying tips. Just don’t forget the carrot!
Latkes with Smoked Salmon Dip
This is my go-to latke recipe, and you can even read about why I love it so much here. The trick is to squeeze out all of the liquid while maintaining the potato starch at the bottom of the bowl. The remaining latkes are ultra crispy and pair beautifully with the easy smoked salmon dip.
Get the recipe: Latkes with Smoked Salmon Dip
Easiest Latkes Ever
If you want to make homemade latkes with half the work, these latkes are for you. They lean into frozen hashbrowns instead of having to grate the potatoes themselves, but they taste just as good as the real thing.
Get the recipe: Easiest Latkes Ever
Root Veggie Latkes
Mix things up this Hanukkah with a mix of root veggies in your potato pancakes. I love mixing in some sweet potato and carrots for extra sweetness and pops of bright orange color on the platter. Bonus: These Beet and Potato Latkes or Potato Parsnip Latkes with Applesauce are also great options!
Get the recipe: Root Veggie Latkes
Easy Latkes with Chive-Lemon Sour Cream
If you’re a boxed-mix fan (no shame!), this recipe is for you. Balance your simple pancakes with a jazzed-up chive-lemon sour cream—perfect with specks of fresh chives and zingy lemon. It’s a great addition to really dress up an oh-so-easy dish.
Get the recipe: Easy Latkes with Chive-Lemon Sour Cream
Mini Latkes and Topping Bars
Smaller latkes mean more topping options! Make these mini latkes and set out all of your favorite toppings for folks to dress them up however they please. My personal favorite topping is sour cream or crème fraîche with some fresh dill and scallions, but anything goes! Think outside the box—like ketchup, horseradish, or spicy mayonnaise.
Get the recipe: Mini Latkes and Topping Bars
Arielle Weg-Zager is the digital editor of SavoryOnline and has been writing about food, nutrition, and health for over 8 years. She collects cookbooks and loves nothing more than cooking elaborate meals for her friends or exploring the local restaurant scene.
