The one and only way to not get perfectly crispy potato pancakes is to not squeeze them properly. More than half the procedure was dedicated to grating, soaking, draining, and squeezing the potatoes. If you don't thoroughly squeeze all the liquid from the potatoes, the pancakes just won't crisp up as well. Top with thinly sliced smoked salmon, sour cream, and fresh dill.
These are great potato pancakes aka Latkas. I used 4 large russet potatoes, about 2 pounds. Water and starch are the enemy of crispy potatoes - here are a couple of tips. Peel and place the potatoes in cold water. I grate the potatoes and onion using the grater attachment on the food processor. Then back into cold water in the basket of a salad spinner. Rinse well and change the water a few times to remove the starch. Once the water is almost clear, let soak completely covered in cold water in the basket of the salad spinner. Whisk the eggs, flour, salt pepper together. Drain the potatoes and spin them dry, empty the water out of the salad spinner bowl - shake the potatoes and spin them again. Mix the dried potatoes with the egg mixture - it will appear as if there is not quite enough egg mixture but don't worry, there is plenty. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to scoop the potatoes out and into the hot oil. Do NOT move the patties until the edges are crispy. Flip and continue cooking over medium heat until golden brown. Heat you oven to 170 degrees and place the potato pancakes on a paper towel lined sheet pan in the warm oven to hold while you make the next batch. If you don't have a salad spinner, Chef John's method of squeezing and drying with paper towels works OK or use a clean thin cotton dish towel and wring them out with that.
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though very tasty these are just way way way to greasy... I used a lot of kitchen paper to soak up the oil and it still was too greasy to eat! I don't know if I did something wrong or not...
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These are great potato pancakes aka Latkas. I used 4 large russet potatoes, about 2 pounds. Water and starch are the enemy of crispy potatoes - here are a couple of tips. Peel and place the potatoes in cold water. I grate the potatoes and onion using the grater attachment on the food processor. Then back into cold water in the basket of a salad spinner. Rinse well and change the water a few times to remove the starch. Once the water is almost clear, let soak completely covered in cold water in the basket of the salad spinner. Whisk the eggs, flour, salt pepper together. Drain the potatoes and spin them dry, empty the water out of the salad spinner bowl - shake the potatoes and spin them again. Mix the dried potatoes with the egg mixture - it will appear as if there is not quite enough egg mixture but don't worry, there is plenty. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to scoop the potatoes out and into the hot oil. Do NOT move the patties until the edges are crispy. Flip and continue cooking over medium heat until golden brown. Heat you oven to 170 degrees and place the potato pancakes on a paper towel lined sheet pan in the warm oven to hold while you make the next batch. If you don't have a salad spinner, Chef John's method of squeezing and drying with paper towels works OK or use a clean thin cotton dish towel and wring them out with that.
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and if all else fails grab your waffle iron and a bag of tater tots. Spray with Pam lay them out and close the waffle iron. Cook about 10 min. Amazing crunchy and pretty too.....
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Fantastic recipe. Put in the proper time & effort to squeeze as much of the moisture out as you can - you will be super impressed with the results! 5 stars.
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My family recipe for potato pancakes/latkes uses the potato starch. I use a clean dish towel and put half of the onion potato mixture in it and twist the towel over a bowl of cold water. After squeezing all of the water out over the bowl you will note a layer of white starch has settled to the bottom on the cold water. Carefully pour the water off and add the starch layer back into the onion/potato mixture. This pure starch will act as a binder to hold the mixture together during the frying process of the pancakes. Chef John makes the point of instructing you to remove as much water as possible and that it the key to light crispy pancakes. To not remove the water results in soggy latkes that are gut bombs.
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3/15: very good followed exactly except much less onion. 12/16 update: 5 lbs yukon gold so doubled the other ingredients except onion. use shredding blade of cuisinart. soak shreds in water 30 min wring dry with salad spinner and paper towels. I added some matzo meal because they weren't staying together well.
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Thanks Chef John. So happy to see an authentic recipe for potato pancakes. My Polish mom made these every Friday for dinner and I make them at least once a month for my family. Wonderfully crisp tender and flavorful pancakes; try them topped with applesauce and or sour cream with chives. Just make lots and lots.
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I'm a 63 yr. old novice cook. I followed the recipe exactly to the best of my very limited ability and it turned out great. My grandmother made these a lot when I was a kid and these were as good as I remember hers to be. Thanks John. I've used several of your recipes and you've helped me gain a lot of confidence in cooking.
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though very tasty these are just way way way to greasy... I used a lot of kitchen paper to soak up the oil and it still was too greasy to eat! I don't know if I did something wrong or not...
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*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
These are great potato pancakes aka Latkas. I used 4 large russet potatoes, about 2 pounds. Water and starch are the enemy of crispy potatoes - here are a couple of tips. Peel and place the potatoes in cold water. I grate the potatoes and onion using the grater attachment on the food processor. Then back into cold water in the basket of a salad spinner. Rinse well and change the water a few times to remove the starch. Once the water is almost clear, let soak completely covered in cold water in the basket of the salad spinner. Whisk the eggs, flour, salt pepper together. Drain the potatoes and spin them dry, empty the water out of the salad spinner bowl - shake the potatoes and spin them again. Mix the dried potatoes with the egg mixture - it will appear as if there is not quite enough egg mixture but don't worry, there is plenty. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to scoop the potatoes out and into the hot oil. Do NOT move the patties until the edges are crispy. Flip and continue cooking over medium heat until golden brown. Heat you oven to 170 degrees and place the potato pancakes on a paper towel lined sheet pan in the warm oven to hold while you make the next batch. If you don't have a salad spinner, Chef John's method of squeezing and drying with paper towels works OK or use a clean thin cotton dish towel and wring them out with that.
and if all else fails grab your waffle iron and a bag of tater tots. Spray with Pam lay them out and close the waffle iron. Cook about 10 min. Amazing crunchy and pretty too.....
Fantastic recipe. Put in the proper time & effort to squeeze as much of the moisture out as you can - you will be super impressed with the results! 5 stars.
My family recipe for potato pancakes/latkes uses the potato starch. I use a clean dish towel and put half of the onion potato mixture in it and twist the towel over a bowl of cold water. After squeezing all of the water out over the bowl you will note a layer of white starch has settled to the bottom on the cold water. Carefully pour the water off and add the starch layer back into the onion/potato mixture. This pure starch will act as a binder to hold the mixture together during the frying process of the pancakes. Chef John makes the point of instructing you to remove as much water as possible and that it the key to light crispy pancakes. To not remove the water results in soggy latkes that are gut bombs.
3/15: very good followed exactly except much less onion. 12/16 update: 5 lbs yukon gold so doubled the other ingredients except onion. use shredding blade of cuisinart. soak shreds in water 30 min wring dry with salad spinner and paper towels. I added some matzo meal because they weren't staying together well.
Thanks Chef John. So happy to see an authentic recipe for potato pancakes. My Polish mom made these every Friday for dinner and I make them at least once a month for my family. Wonderfully crisp tender and flavorful pancakes; try them topped with applesauce and or sour cream with chives. Just make lots and lots.
I'm a 63 yr. old novice cook. I followed the recipe exactly to the best of my very limited ability and it turned out great. My grandmother made these a lot when I was a kid and these were as good as I remember hers to be. Thanks John. I've used several of your recipes and you've helped me gain a lot of confidence in cooking.
though very tasty these are just way way way to greasy... I used a lot of kitchen paper to soak up the oil and it still was too greasy to eat! I don't know if I did something wrong or not...
