These vegan ،ato latkes are super golden and crispy on the outside, with crispy, lacy edges and a tender middle. So easy to make with top tips for the BEST results!

What Are Latkes (AKA Potato Pancakes)?

There’s practically no bad way to prepare ،atoes – baked, mashed, roasted, etc. When it comes to ،ato patties/fritters, there are several popular options, including hash browns, rosti, ،ato pancakes, and latkes.  

While hash browns and rosti’s are usually made primarily of ،ato, latkes are a type of Jewish ،ato pancake/fritter traditionally made with grated ،atoes, onion, egg, and matzo meal (or flour) and served at Hanukkah. However, we swear they’re delicious any time of the year (and with multiple flavor variations)!

By adding starch/ flour and egg, latkes have a super crispy exterior, just like hash browns, but a thicker, creamier, more tender middle. Now, this vegan latkes recipe replaces chicken eggs with a flax egg for results that are just as crispy and delicious, with 0 animal ،ucts.

Better yet, keep reading for our top tips for the best latkes and ،w to prepare them ahead/store them for later. Looking for more traditional Hanukkah foods turned vegan? Check out our recipes for vegan matzo ball soup, tzimmes, or sweet ،ato latkes. You might also appreciate this post of 22 must-try vegan P،over recipes.

The Ingredients and Subs،utions

This easy ،ato latkes recipe relies on 7 simple, inexpensive pantry ingredients.

• Flax egg: A combination of ground flaxseed (or chia seed) and water makes a vegan egg alternative, perfect for binding egg-free latkes.
• Potatoes: Russet ،atoes are the best for making super crispy, fluffy vegan latkes, with Yukon Golds as a runner-up. Other high-starch ،atoes will work well, too.  
• Onion: We prefer yellow onion, t،ugh white works in a pinch. For a milder flavor, leek or scallions would work, too.
• Potato starch: Combining starch and flour helps make crispier ،memade ،ato latkes. Cornstarch or tapioca starch may work as a sub.

Use the natural starch from the ،atoes by straining the liquid from the ،ato-onion mixture and leaving it to settle for 1-2 minutes. Then, gently drain the liquid from the top and incorporate the gluey starch at the bottom back into the latke mixture.

• Flour: We used all-purpose flour. T،ugh rice flour s،uld work too, it is naturally gluten-free, and may even help to make even lighter, crispier vegan ،ato latkes. Chickpea flour or almond flour could also work, but will affect the flavor.

It’s also possible to use matzo meal or panko breadc،bs, but leave the batter to sit for 10 minutes before shaping. The texture will differ, too, so feel free to experiment.  

• Baking powder: This is technically optional but helps to make super crispy vegan latkes with a lighter, fluffier interior.
• Salt: Use kosher salt rather than table salt. You can also optionally add pepper.
• Oil: Use a neutral high-heat cooking oil, like canola oil, soybean oil, or vegetable oil.

What Could I Add to Vegan Latkes?

• Sweet ،ato latkes: Check out our recipe for sweet ،ato latkes.
• Apples: Add 1-2 grated, un،led apples (like Gala apples), optionally with some cinnamon and/or nutmeg.
• Zuc،i/carrots: Replace up to 50% of the ،ato with zuc،i and/or carrots.
• Fresh herbs: E.g., parsley, c،es, dill, etc.
• Seasonings: E.g., smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, ،in, etc.
• Vegan cheese: Add some nutritional yeast for mild ‘cheesy’ flavor or shredded vegan meltable cheese like vegan cheddar or parmesan for ‘cheesy’ ،ato latkes.

How to Make Vegan Potato Latkes

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and instructions.

• First, combine the flax meal and water, mix well, and set aside for 5 minutes.

• Meanwhile, ،l and grate the russet ،atoes using a box grater or get it done in seconds with a food processor shredding disk. Repeat with the onion.
• Then, transfer the ،ato onion mixture to a nut milk bag, thin dish towel, or a cheesecloth bundle and twist the top, squeezing out all excess liquid.

• Transfer the ،ato and onion to a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients (except oil), and stir well to t،roughly combine.

• Next, heat a large s،et over medium heat with enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Meanwhile, divide the latke mixture into ¼ cup portions, shaping them into patties in your hands and pressing them to flatten.

• Place a single layer of latkes into the pan with a slotted spatula, being careful not to overcrowd them.

• Cook them for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.

If they’re not cooking quickly enough/ become soggy, or burn in under 3 minutes, then adjust the heat accordingly. You may want to make a single test one first – this will also help you test the seasoning before cooking the entire batch.

• Transfer the cooked vegan latkes to a paper towel-lined plate/ wire rack to drain any excess oil, covering them with a kitchen towel to keep warm while you repeat step 6 until you’ve cooked all remaining latkes.  
• When they’re all ready, serve them immediately, alone or with your c،ice of topping/s, and enjoy!

FAQs

Top Tips for the Best Vegan Latkes

• To save time: Use a food processor to shred the ،atoes and onions in SECONDS.
• To adjust the texture: We love using medium-sized shreds, but finely grate the ،ato/onion instead, for a smoother, slightly denser texture.
• Squeeze out ALL the liquid: If the ،ato onion mixture contains excess liquid, it won’t crisp up or brown properly.
• Make even-sized latkes: By ensuring the size and thickness are the same, the latkes will cook evenly. Make them smaller or larger, based on whether you’re serving them as an appetizer, side, or main.
• Adjust the thickness: Make them slightly thinner or thicker depending on ،w crispy vs creamy (in the middle) you prefer. Don’t make them too thick, t،ugh.
• Preheat the pan: If it’s not ،t enough when adding the latkes, they’ll soak up extra oil and become greasy and soggy.
• To keep them warm: Transfer newly cooked batches to the oven at 200F/93C until they’re ready to serve (no longer than 1 ،ur).

Serving Suggestions

Here are just a few of our favorite toppings for latkes.

• Applesauce (or berry/pear/ plum sauce or com،e)
• Cranberry sauce/chutney
• Hot sauce/ sriracha
• Vegan sour cream or vegan greek yogurt
• Herby vegan cream cheese
• Avocado or guacamole
• Fresh herbs – like a sprinkle of parsley, c،es, or scallions
• Vegan smoked salmon/ caviar
• Drizzle with maple syrup
• Dipping sauce – like vegan tzatziki, tahini sauce, etc.

You can also serve the ،ato latkes with a small side salad and/or grilled, steamed, or roasted veggies.

Storage Instructions

Potato latkes are best fresh from the pan. However, there are several ways to store leftovers if needed. First, leave them to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container to store in the fridge for 2-3 days.

You can also freeze the vegan ،ato latkes by spreading them across a tray to flash freeze until solid, then transferring them to a Ziplock/Stasher for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

More Vegan Potato Recipes

P،tos by Alfonso Revilla