Pan-Fried Potato Latkes with Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Golden shredded potato latkes pan-fried to crisp perfection, enriched with caramelized onions and served with cool sour cream for a traditional Hanukkah treat. This middle eastern-inspired hanukkah (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs medium, grated yellow onion, large eggs, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 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 "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.1 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 Middle Eastern cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: After peeling and grating 4 large russet potatoes and 1 medium yellow onion, place them in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible to ensure crisp latkes.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the grated potatoes and onion with 2 large eggs, 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until combined.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot but not smoking.
  4. Step 4: Using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop the latke mixture into the pan, flattening each mound gently with a spatula to about 1/2 inch thickness. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy on the edges.
  5. Step 5: Transfer cooked latkes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  6. Step 6: Serve warm latkes topped or accompanied by 1 cup sour cream for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Potato Latkes with Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Potato Latkes with Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, grated yellow onion from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Potato Latkes with Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Fried Potato Latkes with Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Pan-Fried Potato Latkes with Caramelized Onion and Sour Cream vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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