9 Latke Recipes That Will Take Hanukkah To The Next Level (2024)

If you celebrate Hanukkah, there's a good chance you know all about amazing Hanukkah latke recipes. Also known as potato pancakes, they are traditionally eaten during this time of the year. Don’t celebrate the holiday? That doesn't mean you can't get in on the crispy goodness. In fact, I totally encourage you to dive into the world of latkes. It's one beautiful place.

If you’re not the cooking type, don’t fret. Latkes are extremely easy to make with basic kitchen skills and ingredients. There is even a good chance that you already have all the ingredients in your pantry. The awesome part is that you can tweak latke recipes to your liking. Basically, every version requires you to mix, fry, and eat. Once in a while, you may have to top it off with some kind of wonderful sauce. Count me in.

While traditional latkes are darn delicious, I couldn't let the holiday come and go without sharing a couple next-level versions. I’m especially loving the recipes that bring in those familiar seasonal flavors such as sweet potatoes and apples. Drool.

Because latkes can be savory or sweet, there’s something for everyone on this list. Good luck trying to pick which one to try first — you’ll need it.

1. Rainbow Latkes

Since I take my food very seriously, I'm diving straight into the mind-blowing latke recipe of all latkes. And if this gorgeous batch of rainbow latkes doesn't blow your mind, I can't trust you.

Made with precisely zero drops of food coloring, these rainbow latkes taste as good as they look. Each one is made with a healthy dose of veggies, topped off with a coordinating fruit jam. We're talking about everything from beets to purple cauliflower. Brilliant.

To trick your folks into eating your cooking, follow What Jew Wanna Eats' directions.

2. Smoked Salmon Latkes

Seafood lovers, I've got the recipe for you. This latke recipe incorporates delicious smoked salmon right into the mixture, giving you an extra dose of flavor in every bite. It's the easiest way to give your latkes a major upgrade. The recipe even includes instructions on how to make lemon and caper sour cream. Oh, you fancy, huh?

Rachel Phipps has the low-down, right here.

3. Sweet Potato Latkes

Made with sweet potatoes instead of white, this savory dish is all about those seasonal flavors. This is an ideal alternative to all the mashed sweet potatoes and pie from Thanksgiving. Not that anyone could ever get sick of those.

Learn how to make them with Heather Cristo.

4. Zucchini Sweet Potato Latkes

Once you've had your fill of wonderfully simple sweet potato latkes, bring some zucchini into the mix. It's yet another way to eat your vegetables... the cool way. This recipe also uses a dash of cumin, which is sure to add some major flavor.

Head to I Breathe I'm Hungry for the complete recipe.

5. Carrot and Apple Latkes

Craving a latke but want something a little (or a lot) different? Try these pancakes made with carrots and apples. These babies will be bursting with tons of natural sweetness. Made with cinnamon and ginger, this unconventional recipe will give your taste buds something to party about.

Visit An Edible Mosaic to learn how to make them.

6. Sweet Potato Latkes with Spiked Apple Sauce

Foodies who love to cook with booze will adore this one. Between the sweet potato latkes and brandy-laced apple sauce, it is the perfect food-based relationship.

You could also use whiskey, rum, or vodka — whatever you have on hand. BRB, covering everything in spiked apple sauce.

Make all the other latkes jealous with the help of Connoisseurus Veg.

7. Persimmon Latkes

Persimmons are something special. This delicately sweet fruit hails from Eastern Asia, slowly gaining popularity in the United States. Typically, they're the star of delicious dessert recipes... until now.

Thanks to this recipe, you can learn how to incorporate persimmons into your potato latkes. It's another rad combo of savory and sweet.

Check out the full recipe at Three Little Halves.

8. Grilled Cheese Latkes

Once upon a time, latke burgers became a thing. And now, grilled cheese latkes are also a thing. Can we just talk about how smart some people are?

It goes without saying that this is the ultimate comfort food. The recipe also suggests adding avocado or spinach to the sandwich, something I can totally get behind.

Head to Kitchen Tested for the mouthwatering how-to.

9. S'mores Latkes

If you're anything like me, your heart skipped a beat when you read "s'mores latkes." This is real sorcery right here.

Made with sweet potato and graham cracker latkes, this recipe is spot-on for Hanukkah sleepovers. It's like a summer night wandered into the holidays, making sure we didn't forget how awesome it was. I have a good feeling this recipe will do just that.

Click on over to Kitchen Tested and prepare to be amazed.

For more awesome holiday ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

9 Latke Recipes That Will Take Hanukkah To The Next Level (2024)

FAQs

What does latkes mean in hebrew? ›

Latkes served with applesauce and sour cream. Its Modern Hebrew name, levivah (לְבִיבָה levivá), plural levivot, is a revival of a word used in the Book of Samuel to describe a dumpling made from kneaded dough, part of the story of Amnon and Tamar.

What are latkes and what significance do they have concerning Hanukkah? ›

These potato pancakes (called latkes) are meant to symbolize the miracle of Hanukkah, when the oil of the menorah in the ransacked Second Temple of Jerusalem was able to stay aflame for eight days even though there was only enough oil for one day. The symbolism comes in the form of the oil in which latkes are fried.

What are the oily potato pancakes eaten during Hanukkah? ›

Eat – latkes, of course! Crispy, fried, slightly oniony potato pancakes with decadent (that's a euphemism for fattening) toppings. Why latkes? The simple answer is that they're meant to remind Jews of the miracle of the oil associated with Hanukkah.

Is latke a yiddish word? ›

Officially, though, a latke is simply a pancake—the word itself comes, via Yiddish, from a Russian word meaning "little pancake." Latkes can in fact be made from almost any vegetable, bean, cheese, or grain.

Why do Jews eat applesauce with latkes? ›

Tradition says so. Latkes are usually served at dinnertime along with a meaty main, like brisket. Mixing milk and meat at the same meal is a no-no for those who keep kosher, so sour cream would be out as a latke condiment leaving the underdog apple sauce victorious.

Why do we eat cheese on Chanukah? ›

"By the 14th century, there's quite a strong tradition that people eat cheese on Hanukkah and it's associated with Judith giving cheese to the enemy to make him drunk," Weingarten says.

What are some interesting facts about latkes? ›

We all know latkes are delicious, but there are many other important facts you should know!
  • We Eat Them Because They're Oily. ...
  • Latke is Yiddish for “Pancake” ...
  • In Hebrew They're Called Levivot. ...
  • Maimonides' Father Talks About Fried Hanukkah Foods. ...
  • Potatoes Are Most Popular. ...
  • Cheese Dishes Are More Traditional.

What kind of junk food is commonly eaten during Hanukkah? ›

Fried foods, like potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts, are prepared and eaten throughout the holiday to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah: oil that kept the menorah (an ancient lamp) lit for 8 days instead of the 1 day it was supposed to last.

What three foods are eaten during Hanukkah? ›

From crispy latkes to tangy brisket to jammy sufganiyot. From shallow-fried potato latkes to deep-fried jelly doughnuts, traditional Hanukkah foods hinge on oil. Typically falling in December, the Jewish holiday, also called the Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

What is the difference between Irish potato pancakes and latkes? ›

The potato pancake is much simpler, with nothing but raw grated potatoes, egg, and all-purpose flour. The latke, on the other hand, adds baking powder, matzo meal, and even a splash of milk, according to Cooktoria. Surprisingly, the potato pancake has a longer preparation time due to the simplicity of its batter.

What tastes good with latkes? ›

What to Serve with Latkes?
  • Serve Latkes with Borscht.
  • Serve Latkes with Pierogi.
  • Serve Latkes with Chicken Paprikash.
  • Serve Latkes with Veal Goulash.
  • Serve Latkes with Beef Stroganoff.
  • Serve Latkes with Chicken Noodle Soup.
  • Serve Latkes with Matzoh Ball Soup.
  • Serve Latkes with Mushroom Gravy.
Mar 15, 2024

What do you serve at a latke party? ›

  1. Martha's Gluten Free Potato Latkes.
  2. Pomegranate Honey Pistachio.
  3. Beet Hummus & Microgreens.
  4. Pink Applesauce & Coconut.
  5. Smoked Salmon with Greek Yogurt and Fresh Chives.
  6. Guacomole with Yellow Peppers.
  7. Bartlett Pear with Cinnamon Creme Fraiche.
  8. Labneh and Dill.
Dec 4, 2017

What does a latke symbolize? ›

During the winter holiday, latkes symbolize what Jews consider a miracle during the Maccabean Revolt in 164 BC when the Maccabeans captured Jerusalem. The miracle is that the menorah in the Second Temple in Jerusalem was able to stay lit for eight days even though there was only enough oil for one day.

What does the word yam mean in Hebrew? ›

The Hebrew word yam means 'sea', and the word suph by itself means 'reed', e.g. in Exodus 2:3; hence, a literal translation of yam suph—with the two words combined in construct state—yields 'sea of reeds'.

What does the word Hanukkah mean in Hebrew? ›

The name of the holiday, Hanukkah, comes from the Hebrew word for “dedication,” “consecration” or “inauguration.” It refers to the Jews' rededication of the Second Temple in the second century B.C.E., after the Hellenistic Greeks of Syria had desecrated it by using it for the worship of Greek gods and the sacrifice of ...

What does the Hebrew word Hanukkah mean in English? ›

What is Hanukkah? The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and this holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

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