Delicious Vegan Latkes for a Healthy Holiday Celebration or Delicious Meal

Erika W.
12 hours ago
3 min read

There's something truly special about vegan latkes, with their crispy golden edges and tender insides make every bite a delightful celebration of flavor and texture. These easy to make treats carry on a rich tradition, bringing warmth and joy to the table without any animal products. Whether you're a seasoned latkes lover or trying them for the first time, this recipe is your go-to guide for creating perfectly crispy vegan latkes that honor tradition while keeping things simple and delicious.

Let's dive in and discover how satisfying it is to make and share these classic, comforting bites with family and friends!

Ingredients

4 large yellow potatoes

Just egg or aquafaba - add enough until everything is wet enough

1/4-1/2c of oat or whole wheat/spelt flour - add enough to bind everything together

1/2-1tsp garlic powder

1tsp of sea salt

Pinch of cracked black pepper

Canola oil for frying

Optional: Additional vegetables (see notes below)

Instructions

Grate the potatoes into a bowl.
Put grated potatoes into a towel and remove as much water as you can.
Put potatoes back into bowl and add spices mixing well and thoroughly.
Pour oil into pan and heat on medium high. There should be enough oil to go halfway up the latke.
Add enough just egg liquid to coat the potatoes.
Add flour to help it bind together. Should be enough to form a patty.
Once oil is hot enough, form a patty on the spatula and turn it upside down carefully in the oil. You may need another spatula or utensil to put it into the oil. DO NOT USE YOUR FINGERS OR HANDS.
Latke will be ready to flip once browned on edges.
When removing from pan, have a towel or paper towel lined baking sheet or plate. They will keep warm if you put something over them.

Notes

Adding Additional Vegetables

If you're looking to mix up your latkes, you can add additional vegetables to them. Here is a list of things you can add (I recommend picking 1 or 2):

Leeks
Onions
Carrots
Sweet potatoes
Yams
Parsnips
Other kinds of potatoes
Zucchini
Squash

Other Spices

There are other spices that can be used or added. Here is a list:

Smoked paprika
Thyme
Rosemary
Parsley
Basil

Safety

Be careful when working with hot oil. Never use your fingers or hand to put anything in or move around.

Whenever loading anything to hot oil, it is recommended to wear a thick apron and load it so the splash decorates your back splash instead of your front.

Whenever cooking with hot oil, please be mindful of where your fire extinguisher is whenever working with hot oil. If you don't have a fire extinguisher, keep some flour near you at all times to dump on a flame if needed.

Serving

Latkes are traditionally served with sour cream or apple sauce. I also made a fry sauce and ate another one not pictured dipped into that. It was really good.

I typically like to serve these non-traditionally such as a side in a meal or as a breakfast entree. Below is a gallery with some ideas for meals or different ways to serve latkes. Who doesn't like fried potato?

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in the freezer. They can be put on a parchment or silicone mat lined baking sheet and put into the freezer. Once frozen (2-4 hour later), you can move them to another container. Gallon ziploc bags seem to work the best.

To reheat, they can be put in the air fryer (air fry setting) on 200 Celsius or 400-425 Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes. They are done when they are warm and crispy.

These make for a great breakfast or side dish to any meal. I usually serve them with my braised tofu or scrambled eggs.

History

Latkes have a rich and delicious history deeply rooted in Jewish culture, especially during the celebration of Hanukkah. These crispy, golden fried potato pancakes are more than just a tasty treat, they carry a special significance tied to tradition and the miraculous story behind Hanukkah.

The holiday commemorates the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, making oil-based fried foods like latkes a meaningful symbol of that event. Over the years, latkes have become a beloved staple on Hanukkah tables, enjoyed by families as a way to honor this historical and cultural legacy while savoring the comforting flavors of tradition.