How to Make Crispy Potato Latkes | Bon Appétit

Choosing the Right Potatoes

• 🥔 Idaho potatoes are recommended for their starch content, which ensures a crispy exterior when fried.
• 💡 Using larger potatoes helps protect your fingers when grating, and keeping the skin on aids in handling and adds texture.
• 🔪 Grate potatoes using the larger holes of a box grater, aiming for strands with texture rather than a pulp.

Preparing the Onion and Removing Moisture

• 🧅 Use a 5:1 ratio of potato to onion to avoid an overpowering onion flavor and prevent burning during frying.
• 💧 Grate the onion and potato mixture, then squeeze out as much moisture as possible using cheesecloth or a kitchen towel to achieve crispiness.
• ⚠️ Failing to remove sufficient moisture is a common mistake that can lead to latkes falling apart in the oil.

Binding the Latke Mixture

• 🥚 Add egg as a binder, cracking it into a separate bowl first to avoid shell fragments.
• 🧂 Season with garlic powder and onion powder to enhance flavor.
• 🥣 Use a combination of matzah meal and potato starch for binding; matzah meal absorbs moisture and holds latkes together, while potato starch creates a uniform texture and excellent binding.
• 🥄 Patience is key; add binders gradually and test the mixture's consistency by forming a small latke to ensure it holds together.

Frying the Latkes

• 🔥 Heat oil in a shallow pot to 325-375°F (160-190°C) for optimal frying.
• 🐟 Use a fish spatula for easy handling and to gently place latkes into the oil, avoiding overcrowding the pot.
• ⏳ Fry for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
• ⚠️ Regularly remove burnt bits from the oil to maintain a clean flavor and change the oil if it becomes discolored or burnt.
• 🧂 Salt the latkes immediately after frying while they are still hot and slightly oily, so the salt adheres properly.

Toppings and Presentation

• 🥣 Traditional toppings include applesauce or sour cream.
• 🐟 A popular restaurant-style topping is celery crème fraîche with trout roe, dill, and chives, offering a savory and bright contrast.
• ✨ Latkes can be customized with various sweet or savory toppings, elevating this humble dish into something special.