Vegan Potato Latkes

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—these vegan potato latkes are perfect for Hanukkah or any time you're craving a comforting, crispy treat. This recipe keeps all the traditional flavor and texture but skips the eggs, but you'd never know!
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A plate of vegan potato latkes with caramelized onion dip.
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Lover of vegan latkes? We don’t blame you! These scrumptious shredded potato patties are seriously addictive. Super crisp and fried to perfection, these glorious bites are traditionally gobbled up around the holidays during Hanukkah as soon as they’re out of the frying pan.

If you were ever intimidated by attempting such a recipe, fear no more! With just 5 simple ingredients and some oil, you’ll have luscious vegan latkes on your plate in less than 10 minutes. We give you permission to be selfish, in case you don’t want to share. 

Latkes are traditionally served with sour cream and applesauce, but we’ve included a bunch of other delicious options in the serving suggestions below. Now, let’s get cookin’!

What are Potato Latkes?

Pronounced “laat kuhz,” this heavenly holiday food is traditionally served at Hanukkah to celebrate the reclaiming of the Temple of Jerusalem by the Jewish community from Syrian-Greek king, Antiochus.

This time-honored recipe usually includes eggs, but our vegan latke version omits this ingredient and is all the better for it! It’s amazing how some ingredients are entirely unnecessary for keeping a fantastic flavor. A tip for keeping your potatoes piping hot is to place them on a baking sheet in the oven on a low temperature (less than 200 degrees F) between batches.

Four crispy vegan potato latkes served on a platter with caramelized onion dip.

Simple Ingredient Substitutions

Though this potato recipe is perfect on its own, there are a few vegan variations that you can adopt, if you wish.

  • Substitute shallots for onions for a slightly garlicky flavor.
  • Switch out the dairy-free sour cream for some sweet applesauce as a side.
  • Swap sweet potatoes for russet potatoes if you want some extra sweetness.
  • Try our spicy Sriracha Mayo as a delightful dip!
  • Choose peanut oil instead of canola oil for an extra depth of flavor.
  • Leave the peels on the potato for additional fiber and color.
  • Gluten-free? Use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend instead.
A hand dipping a vegan potato latke into caramelized onion dip.

Leftover Potato Latkes?

Latkes are always best enjoyed fresh. But any leftover vegan latkes can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for a few days. Longer than that and the potatoes may become sadly soggy and could go bad. If you think you might not be able to eat them soon enough, just pop them in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to a few months.

To reheat out of the fridge, pop them back on the frying pan or place the latkes on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Keep an eye on them, just in case your oven runs on the hot side. If you’d rather do a quick, crispy revival, place them under the broiler for a few minutes until the tops are golden again. If frozen, make sure to thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave on the defrost setting before baking.

What To Serve With Potato Latkes

Topping Ideas

  • Vegan sour cream — Adds a creamy, tangy contrast to the crispy latkes.
  • Applesauce — A traditional and slightly sweet pairing.
  • Chives or green onions — A fresh, mild onion bite.
  • Avocado & lemon — Creamy avocado with a squeeze of lemon for freshness.
  • Vegan cheese — Melted plant-based cheese for extra indulgence or try a slice of this vegan cheese log on top.
  • Eggplant DipBaba ganoush dip adds a smoky, creamy layer to these crispy latkes.
  • Roasted Beetroot Hummus — This lemon beet hummus is a vibrant and earthy variation that pairs well with latkes.
  • Salsa — For something refreshing and light, add a dollop of salsa on top. This tomatillo salsa would be perfect!

Meal Ideas

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Vegan Potato Latkes

5 from 9 votes
Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor—these vegan potato latkes bring all the comfort and tradition of the classic dish, without the eggs! Your family and friends will absolutely love them! 
A plate of vegan potato latkes with caramelized onion dip.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6

Equipment

Ingredients

For the potato latkes

  • pounds russet potatoes, (2 medium to large potatoes)
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • ½-¾ cup flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Canola oil, for frying

Instructions

  • Cut the potatoes and yellow onion into wedges small enough to fit through the food processor’s feeder tube, then shred them using the processor’s grating blade. Transfer the shredded mixture to a kitchen towel and squeeze out any excess liquid.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the drained potatoes and onions with ½ cup of flour, salt, and pepper. Stir well until evenly mixed. If the batter feels too wet and isn’t holding together, gradually add more flour as needed.
  • Heat a thin layer of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of the mixture, flatten it into a pancake shape with your hands, and gently place it into the hot oil. Repeat with additional latkes, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
  • Fry each latke until golden brown, flipping once, for about 8 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more oil as needed.

Notes

  • Removing Excess Moisture: After grating the potatoes, place them in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and wring out as much liquid as possible. This step is crucial for crispy latkes.
  • Frying Temperature: Heat the oil to medium-high before frying. If the oil is too hot, the latkes will burn on the outside but stay raw on the inside. If the oil is too cold, they’ll absorb too much oil and become greasy.
  • Shaping the Latkes: Use a spoon or your hands to form the latkes into small, flat patties. If the mixture feels too loose, add a little more flour or starch to help bind it together.
  • Avoid Crowding the Pan: Fry the latkes in batches to avoid overcrowding. Too many latkes in the pan will lower the oil temperature, resulting in soggy latkes.
  • Make Ahead Tips: Latkes can be made in advance and reheated in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes to keep them crispy.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 782mg | Potassium: 512mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg
Course — Appetizer
Cuisine — Jewish
Love this Recipe? Leave a Rating!And follow @Vegan on Instagram for more.

We want to thank our amazing recipe tester, Anna Sparks! 

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5 from 9 votes

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Recipe Rating




10 comments
  1. 5 stars
    I loved latkes with apple sauce so it will be nice to try them with a savory sauce

  2. 5 stars
    Count me in for anything having to do with potatoes. This recipe is amazing!

  3. Beatriz Buono-Core says:

    5 stars
    These are so delicious 🙂

  4. Andrea White says:

    5 stars
    So delicious!!!

  5. 5 stars
    These are crazy delicious! Will be making these throughout Chanukkah!

  6. 5 stars
    These came out beautifully! Love making vegan latkes!

  7. 5 stars
    I just made these last night and they’re SO GOOD!!! I might have to make more tonight. Or every night of Hanukkah??

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