Craving a delightful twist on a classic dish? Look no further! My Sweet Potato Latkes are a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients and bursting with flavor, these latkes are a fantastic addition to your culinary repertoire. Transforming ordinary sweet potatoes into golden, crispy delights, this recipe is easy to follow and guarantees a taste that will leave your taste buds dancing.
Mashed potato latkes
To welcome Hannukah, you need to start working on your latkes and must find the best ones to serve your family during the 8 days. This is why I am sharing this recipe (and more options from previous years).
These latkes are made with cooked sweet potato that you mash to a puree. Instead of just grating raw sweet potatoes like in most latkes recipes, this time you make a puree. It makes the latkes more of a patty or a fritter. And they taste delicious! Soft inside with a bit of a sweet flavor that makes you just want another one.
This recipe can be created in two ways: baked or fried. Now, I tried both and actually loved them both, they’re that good. On Hannukah, I might just bake the whole batch because frying makes a bigger mess and creates a “fried" smell in the whole house. On the other hand, if you don’t fry the latkes they are oil-free which kind of misses the point of Hanukkah and the oil miracle symbol. It's up to you to choose how to make the latkes and as I tested both ways, they both do work out well and taste so good, and that's what most important, right?
Ingredients and Process
The recipe is very simple and only requires 5 ingredients. Two of which are salt and pepper so it is a very simple recipe. The ingredients include sweet potatoes, all-purpose flour, soy sauce, salt, and pepper. The process of making the latkes is to first make the sweet potato puree by cooking the sweet potatoes in water and then mashing it with a fork. Then you mix it with the rest of the ingredients and shape into latkes. From there it depends if you want to bake or fry the latkes and that's it. And the final, most important decision - do you want your latkes with sour cream or applesauce?
The latkes are a bit sweet because of the sweet potatoes so they go well with a savory dip like sour cream but, they can also be sweeter with homemade applesauce. Decisions, decisions.
For garnish, I added a bit of chive but you can use any herb you like or omit altogether.
Potato pancakes from leftover mashed potatoes
If you find yourself with a surplus of mashed potatoes, you're in luck! This versatile recipe works equally well with mashed potatoes, allowing you to savor the crispy goodness of latkes with a comforting twist.
Tips to help you make the best sweet potato latkes:
Properly Drain Sweet Potatoes
After boiling and mashing the sweet potatoes, ensure they are well-drained. Excess moisture can make the latkes soggy. You can use a kitchen towel or paper towels to press out any extra moisture.
Season Well
Sweet potatoes can handle a generous amount of seasoning. Don't be shy with the salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper for extra flavor.
Experiment with Spices
Get creative with your spices. Cumin, nutmeg, or cinnamon can add depth to the flavor profile of your sweet potato latkes.
Fry at the Right Temperature
If you're frying your latkes, ensure the oil is hot but not smoking. Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain a temperature around 350°F (175°C). This will result in crispy latkes with a tender interior.
Use a Non-Stick Pan
If you're frying, a non-stick pan can make your life easier and help prevent the latkes from sticking.
Control the Size
When forming your latkes, aim for uniform size and thickness to ensure even cooking. Smaller, thinner latkes will be crisper, while larger, thicker ones will be softer inside.
Avoid Overcrowding
Whether frying or baking, give the latkes some space in the pan or on the baking sheet. Overcrowding can cause uneven cooking.
Serve Fresh
Latkes are best enjoyed fresh and hot. Serve them immediately for that irresistible crispiness.
FAQS
Yes, you can substitute regular potatoes for sweet potatoes if you prefer. The cooking process and seasonings can remain similar. Regular potato latkes have a more neutral flavor compared to the sweetness of sweet potato latkes.
Yes, you can prepare sweet potato latkes ahead of time. To keep them crisp, you can reheat them in the oven just before serving. Be sure to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you're frying them, you can also reheat in the oven to maintain their crispiness.
Yes, sweet potato latkes can be frozen for later use. After cooking, allow them to cool completely, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen latkes to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven or toaster oven.
Yes, you can make gluten-free sweet potato latkes by using a gluten-free flour or a suitable flour substitute, like almond flour or rice flour. Check that all other ingredients, such as soy sauce, are also gluten-free if needed.
To store leftover sweet potato latkes, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you want to keep them crisp, separate them with parchment paper. Reheat in the oven to maintain their texture.
Sweet potato latkes are often served as a side dish or appetizer, but you can certainly make them the star of a meal by adding toppings, such as a poached egg, smoked salmon, or a salad, to create a more substantial dish.
Other latkes recipes on my blog:
Gluten Free Latkes
Baked Potato Latkes
Family Size Latkes
Latke Waffles
Beet Latkes
For other Hannukah recipes, be sure to check my Hanukkah recipe index.
Recipe yields approximately 20 latkes – I baked 10 and fried the other 10.
Make these sweet potato latkes today!
Whether you choose to bake them to perfection or fry them for that extra crunch, these sweet potato latkes are bound to become a new family favorite. So, roll up your sleeves and let's dive into the heartwarming world of sweet potato latkes!
Sweet Potato Latkes
Ingredients
- 4 cups sweet potato puree I used 3 medium sweet potatoes
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper by your taste
For garnish:
- Few chive stalks cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into small cubes.
- Place in a big pot and fill with boiling water.
- Cook on high for 20 minutes.
- Transfer the cooked sweet potatoes to a bowl and mash with a fork to a puree.
- Add flour, soy sauce, and salt and pepper to the bowl and mix well.
- If you are baking the latkes then heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F.
- With wet hands, create small balls of the batter and place them on a baking pan or a plate (if you just fry them).
- If you bake then bake for 40 minutes.
- If you fry then be sure to heat oil in a pan and fry each latke for a few minutes on each side.
- Cool at room temperature.
- Sprinkle some chive on the latkes if you want.
- Have a latke and enjoy!
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