Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (2024)

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  • Vegetables
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  • Sweet Potatoes

Crisply fried latkes which combine sweet potatoes, Granny Smith apples, and onion.

By

Elizabeth Barbone

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (1)

Elizabeth Barbone

Elizabeth Barbone develops delicious and creative recipes for the food allergic and gluten-free communities through her site Gluten-Free Baking. Author of three cookbooks: Easy Gluten-Free Baking (2009), How to Cook Gluten-Free (2012), and The World's Easiest Paleo Baking (2016).

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Updated May 31, 2022

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Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Wringing the grated sweet potatoes and onions in a kitchen towel dries the mixture to create crisp latkes.
  • Increasing the onion-to-potato ratio from a typical potato latke adds savoriness.

Ask anyone who makes latkes what they think of their recipe (or their mother's or grandmother's recipe) and most will tell you that "It's the best." And they're right. I mean, we're talking about fried potatoes here. So when I decided to create sweet potato latkes to celebrate Thanksgivukkah, I didn't want a recipe that competed with my traditional potato latkes. After all, that recipe is the best, so why mess with it?

I thought about what I loved about latkes—besides everything—and realized that the grated onion, just a supporting player in my regular recipe, would pair really well with sweet potatoes. I jotted down a note to increase the onion. I also wanted the eggs to play a slightly prominent role. Usually I add only enough egg to hold the potatoes and onions together; for this recipe, I decided to add an extra egg or two.

But before I settled on just how much onion and how many eggs to add, I pulled out my grater. As I started grating, I remembered what Ruth, the woman who taught me how to make latkes, once said. "The most important tools for making latkes are strong hands and a kitchen towel." Ruth would grate her onions and potatoes and then aggressively twist them in a kitchen towel to wring out excess moisture. As she twisted the towel tightly, her hands strained with the effort. Not only were her latkes nice and crisp, but they were dry enough that they didn't splatter during frying.

After ensuring that my sweet potatoes and onions were as dry as possible, I sprinkled the mixture with white rice flour, salt, and a generous amount of freshly grated pepper. Then, I added four whisked eggs. The mixture appeared looser than my regular latke recipe but for an eggy latke, it looked about right.

The latkes fried up nicely. And after a few minutes in the hot oil, I was rewarded with tasty sweet potato latkes that were totally different from my favorite recipe. After eating a few latkes bites, I was sure that this recipe was the best recipe for sweet potato latkes. That's when I knew I'd found a recipe I'd be making for years to come—even when Hanukkah and Thanksgiving don't collide.

November 2013

Recipe Details

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe

Active45 mins

Total45 mins

Serves4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 medium onion, peeled

  • 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled (about 2 large sweet potatoes)

  • 1/2 cup white rice flour

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 3 large eggs, beaten

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

  • Sour cream and applesauce for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°F (90°C). Grate onion and sweet potatoes using a food processor fitted with a medium grate, or on the large holes of a box grater. Combine in a medium bowl.

    Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (3)

  2. Place half of the onion and potato mixture on a clean kitchen towel. Roll the towel around the mixture and wring the towel to draw out excess moisture. Unroll the towel and transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining onion and potatoes.

    Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (4)

  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the white rice flour, salt, and pepper. Add to the potato mixture and stir to combine. Add the eggs and stir to combine. Line a rimmed baking sheet with several layers of paper towels and set it near the stove but safely away from the burner. Heat 1/4 inch of oil in an 8-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.

    Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (5)

  4. Working in batches, drop the potato mixture into the hot oil by scant 1/4-cups. (The mixture should sizzle when it hits the oil.) Using two forks, flatten each latke a little in the pan. (You almost “pull” the latkes apart to flatten.)

    Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (6)

  5. Fry until deep golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip with a pancake flipper or spatula and fry an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel–lined baking sheet and keep warm in oven while you cook remaining latkes. Serve with sour cream and apple sauce.

    Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (7)

Special Equipment

8-inch cast iron skillet

Notes

If you prefer your sweet potatoes a little sweeter, add one peeled, grated Granny Smith apple to the mixture.

To ensure crispy latkes, fry no more than three latkes at a time. This ensures that oil doesn't get cold. Cold oil equals greasy latkes!

  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Hanukkah
  • Gluten-free Sides
  • Fried Potatoes
  • Vegetable Sides
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
511Calories
22g Fat
68g Carbs
11g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories511
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 22g28%
Saturated Fat 3g13%
Cholesterol 140mg47%
Sodium 1176mg51%
Total Carbohydrate 68g25%
Dietary Fiber 6g21%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 11g
Vitamin C 6mg30%
Calcium 76mg6%
Iron 3mg18%
Potassium 598mg13%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can sweet potato flour replace wheat flour? ›

Studies have shown that replacing part of wheat flour (WF) with potato flour (PF) or sweet potato flour (SPF) not only fortifies its nutritional value but also improves the properties of the flour and dough, and the texture and sensory quality of the bread.

How do you keep latke batter from turning brown? ›

I will have to travel with them for two hours and latkes are only good as soon as you fry them. What can I do to keep the potato batter from turning brown? A: When shredding the potatoes be sure to add some acidity (such as a teaspoon of white wine vinegar or concentrated lemon juice to the water.

Is there a difference between potato pancakes and latkes? ›

Potato pancakes have a creamy, almost mashed-potato-like center, with a thin, golden, crisp exterior. Latkes, on the other hand, should have a deeply browned crust, with wispy, lacy edges. Latkes also aren't hash browns.

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.

What does potato flour do in gluten-free baking? ›

Potato flour is the fine ground white or off-white powder made from whole, peeled, dehydrated potatoes. It is commonly used in gluten-free baking in combination with other flours to ensure proper flavor, texture, dough development time and aroma.

What is the best substitute for gluten flour? ›

SUBSTITUTES FOR GLUTEN IN BAKING
  • Polenta. ...
  • Potato Flour. ...
  • Ground Nuts. ...
  • Buckwheat Flour. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Tapioca Flour. ...
  • Coconut Flour. This fibre filled flour is a fresh white colour with a creamy coconut kick. ...
  • Xanthan Gum. Xanthan gum is a very common thickener made from fermented sugars, used in lots of foods.

What is the best oil for potato pancakes? ›

Vegetable oil or canola oil is usually best, because of its high smoking point. Latkes were traditionally made with schmaltz, or chicken fat, so if you have access to it, you should certainly add it in, because it does contribute to the flavor.

Can you grate potatoes ahead of time for latkes? ›

Or, you can grate the potatoes hours ahead and store them submerged in water in the refrigerator. Drain them well and make the batter up to two hours ahead.

Can you keep latke batter overnight? ›

Pre-Mix: Prep latke batter and keep in a sealable container in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Why do Jews eat latkes during 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 ethnicity is latkes? ›

Of course we associate potato latkes with Hanukkah, but in reality latkes descends from Italian pancakes that were made with ricotta cheese. The first connection between Hanukkah and pancakes was made by a rabbi in Italy named Rabbi Kalonymus ben Kalonymus (c. 1286-1328).

Why do my potato pancakes fall apart? ›

If the potato pancakes are falling apart while you're shaping them before you start cooking, they are either either too wet or they need more flour to hold them together. You can also mix the flour a little more the mix to develop gluten and then let it rest before cooking.

Can Jews eat mashed potatoes? ›

Yes, Jews can eat potatoes and do. A lot. Potato kugel, knish, cholent or hamim (sephardi version), fries, roasted, baked, mashed, and many other ways.

What is traditionally served with latkes? ›

Applesauce and sour cream are the traditional accoutrements for latkes. Some load their potato pancakes up with both toppings, while others have strong feelings about one over the other. (I'm Team Applesauce, all the way.) However, this Hanukkah, don't feel constrained by these standard-bearers.

What are latkes called in Hebrew? ›

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.

Can I use sweet potato instead of flour? ›

You can replace the wheat flour with its equivalent in weight of sweet potato flour. If you have 100g of wheat flour, you can replace it with 100g of sweet potato flour.

Can I use sweet potato flour instead of all-purpose flour? ›

Sweet potato flour can be used as a source of energy and nutrients and can be added to formulations to replace wheat flour (Ahmed, Akter, & Eun, 2010).

Can sweet potato flour be used for baking? ›

They're naturally sweet so they're perfect to be used in desserts like this Dark Chocolate Strawberry Cake and these Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Donuts. But now you can use them to replace some of the less nutritious flours in baked goods with homemade Sweet Potato Flour!

Is sweet potato flour good for baking? ›

Flour made from orange sweet potatoes (the powder in the bowl pictured here), could be a healthy, gluten-free option for baked goods. Orange, starchy sweet potatoes are great mashed, cut into fries or just roasted whole.

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