Pan-Fried Potato Latkes with Caramelized Onion and Applesauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Golden, crispy potato latkes pan-fried to perfection, served with a sweet homemade applesauce for a traditional Hanukkah treat. This Middle Eastern Hanukkah recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs russet potatoes, yellow onion, and large eggs for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Build a week of meals around this recipe" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 medium (about 2 pounds) russet potatoes
• 1 large (about 8 ounces) yellow onion
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 medium apples, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Peel and grate 4 medium russet potatoes using a box grater or food processor. Transfer grated potatoes to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out excess moisture until mostly dry.
2. Step 2: Peel and finely grate 1 large yellow onion and add to the potatoes. In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes and onion with 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper; mix thoroughly until well combined.
3. Step 3: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop potato mixture and carefully flatten into patties about 1/2 inch thick. Fry latkes in batches, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the edges.
5. Step 5: Transfer fried latkes onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
6. Step 6: For the applesauce, combine 4 peeled and diced medium apples with 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/2 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
7. Step 7: Cook apples, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until soft and sauce thickens, mashing slightly with a fork or potato masher for desired consistency.
8. Step 8: Serve hot potato latkes alongside warm homemade applesauce for dipping or spreading.