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5.0 from 6 votes

Vegan Sweet Potato Latkes Recipe

Golden, crispy sweet potato latkes that toe the line between savory and sweet in the best possible way. Pan-fried or air-fried to perfection, these beauties are ridiculously good with applesauce, herby sour cream, or straight off the plate while you “taste test” half the batch. Brunch, Hanukkah, or just because—it’s always latke season.

Prep Time
6 mins
Cook Time
6 mins
Draining Time
6 mins
Total Time
24 mins
Servings: 12 latkes
Calories: 170 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Israeli

Ingredients

  • 5 medium-size sweet potatoes peeled (2 lbs.)
  • 1 large onion peeled and quartered
  • ⅓ cup matzo meal
  • ¼ cup Potato Starch
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
For frying:
  • ½ cup canola oil or sunflower oil
For Air Frying:
  • cooking spray or olive oil

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Grate the sweet potatoes and onion using a food processor or box grater.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a colander over a large bowl, and firmly squeeze the shredded veggies for a couple of minutes to press out as much water as possible.
  3. Let the water in the bowl settle for 5-6 minutes until the starch accumulates at the bottom of the bowl. Carefully discard the water, but keep the sediment of starch which has settled at the bottom of the bowl.
  4. In batches, pulse the shredded sweet potatoes and onions a few times in a food processor. You aren’t looking to fully puree the mixture. Just break it up into smaller fragments.
  5. Add the matzo meal, cinnamon (if using), salt, black pepper, and potato mixture back into the bowl with the starch. Stir until well combined.
  6. For frying, heat canola or sunflower oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, scoop approximately ¼ cup of the mixture for each latke and flatten slightly, but leave the edges shaggy and messy. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the latkes to a wire rack suspended over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining mixture, adding more oil as needed. If you are cooking a large batch, you can keep the wire rack and baking pan in an oven set to 250°F (120°C) to keep them warm while cooking the remaining batches.
  7. For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. Form the sweet potato mixture into small patties and place them in the basket in a single layer. Lightly spray or brush the tops with oil. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on the outside, but cooked through internally.
  8. Serve warm with your preferred toppings.

Notes

  • 🛑 Sizzle, Don’t Fizzle
  • 🛑
  • Keep the heat steady at medium. Too high, and the outsides burn while the insides stay raw; too low, and the latkes will be greasy instead of crispy.
  • Keep the heat steady at medium. Too high, and the outsides burn while the insides stay raw; too low, and the latkes will be greasy instead of crispy.
  • 🍳 Batch, Please!
  • Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding, which drops the oil temperature and results in soggy latkes.
  • Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding, which drops the oil temperature and results in soggy latkes.
  • 🔥 Stay Toasty
  • If making a large batch, keep latkes warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven on a wire rack over a baking sheet to keep them crispy until ready to serve.
  • If making a large batch, keep latkes warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven on a wire rack over a baking sheet to keep them crispy until ready to serve.
  • 🚫 No Soggy Bottoms
  • Let latkes drain on a wire rack instead of paper towel to avoid trapped steam, which makes the undersides soggy. The rack allows airflow to keep them crisp.
  • Let latkes drain on a wire rack instead of paper towel to avoid trapped steam, which makes the undersides soggy. The rack allows airflow to keep them crisp.

Nutrition Information

Calories 170kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 4g Trans Fat 0.03g Sodium 296mg (12%) Potassium 371mg (11%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 13360IU (267%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 35mg (4%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12latkes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 170

% Daily Value*

Calories 170kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0.03g 2%
Sodium 296mg 12%
Potassium 371mg 8%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 13360IU 267%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 35mg 4%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.