Potato Pancakes Vs. Latkes: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (2024)

Potato Pancakes Vs. Latkes: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (4)

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ByHeather Lim/

Is that a potato pancake or a latke? To some, these dishes might seem identical. Both are potato-based, fried, chewy in texture, and golden brown on the outside after all, and the starchy fritters are both usually topped with sour cream or applesauce, which give them a similar flavor profile. Despite these similarities, however, potato pancakes and latkes are distinct dishes.

First, let's start with where these dishes come from. The potato pancake, also known as Kartoffelpuffer, was first popularized as a street food item in Germany during the 1870s, according to Via Travelers. The origin of the potato pancake is unclear, as many neighboring European countries have their own variation of the potato pancake, with different names, but a similar preparation.

Latkes on the other hand were first inspired by Italian ricotta cheese pancakes.Food historian and blogger Tori Avey explained toPBSthatwhen Jews from Sicily were forced by the Spanish to move up north, they introduced their ricotta pancake to those who lived there, making it a staple for Hanukkah. The latke was made from buckwheat flour and fried in schmaltz, or chicken fat, until the mid-1800s, when, thanks to the introduction of potatoes in Eastern Europe, the latke took on its modern form as a potato-based dish fried in any oil (via PBS). So what is the difference between these two dishes?

The ingredients and the prep time

Potato Pancakes Vs. Latkes: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (5)

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The potato pancake and the latke are sometimes mentioned interchangeably, but these two dishes could not be more distinct from one another. The potato pancake is much simpler, with nothing but raw grated potatoes, egg, and all-purpose flour. The latke, on the other hand, adds baking powder, matzo meal, and even a splash of milk, according to Cooktoria.

Surprisingly, the potato pancake has a longer preparation time due to the simplicity of its batter. Raw potatoes are grated into a fine slush so that the natural starch of the potato holds the fritter together. While it requires more ingredients, the latke is prepared with a roughly grated potato (think the texture of hash browns), making it come together quicker. Thanks to the addition of baking powder and matzo meal, the latke is held together without the need for much natural potato starch.

So the next time you try to prepare one of these dishes, be sure to consider how much time you have. If you don't have matzo powder, opt for the potato pancake. If you don't have the time, go for the latke. If you don't have either, try out a similar dish, Irish potato cakes, which makes use of your leftovers from last night's dinner!

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Potato Pancakes Vs. Latkes: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

Potato Pancakes Vs. Latkes: What's The Difference? - Tasting Table? ›

The potato pancake is much simpler, with nothing but raw grated potatoes, egg, and all-purpose flour. The latke, on the other hand, adds baking powder, matzo meal, and even a splash of milk, according to Cooktoria.

What is the difference between potato pancakes and potato 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.

What do potato latkes taste like? ›

"The flavor is potato, really just salty in a good way, maybe a little hint of onion. It's really just a nice fried, crispy soft potato with a little salt." This, of course, is the simple and traditional latke. As a cookbook author and food blogger, Kritzer gets creative with her latkes, too.

What's the difference between hash browns and potato latkes? ›

When comparing hash browns to latkes and potato pancakes, hash browns require the fewest ingredients. Latke recipes include a binder like egg. They may sometimes have seasoning like onion plus matzo meal, baking powder, and sometimes milk.

What is the difference between boxty and latkes? ›

Boxty is different from other potato pancakes or latkes, and you'll see that once you bite into one and notice the crispy hash brown-like outside and soft, dough-like inside.

What's another name for a potato pancake? ›

A latke is a small pancake usually made with grated potatoes. Latkes are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah. Most latkes are crispy little potato pancakes that are served with apple sauce or sour cream during the eight days of Hanukkah.

What oil is best for latkes? ›

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.

Why do Jews make latkes? ›

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.

Do you eat latkes with applesauce or sour cream? ›

Obviously you have to accessorize your latkes with applesauce. Ein breirah, there is no other choice. If you order potato pancakes in restaurants, they're likely to be served with both sour cream and applesauce.

What meat is good with latkes? ›

What to eat with those Latkes!
  • Slow Roasted Pot Roast. I published this post last year & thought I would make this roast today so I am sharing the post again! ...
  • Roasted Chuck Steak …. delish!!!!! ...
  • Beef Stew in the Instant Pot ( or use a saucepan …. ...
  • Apricot Tzimmes Brisket. ...
  • Wine-Braised Brisket. ...
  • Simple Roast Chicken.
Dec 8, 2023

Why are potato pancakes served with applesauce? ›

The sweet tang of applesauce adds a contrasty punch to the potatoes and green onions, which make up latkes, while also cutting the grease from frying them. On the other hand, sour cream, while also adding its own version of tartness, can weigh the fried potato cakes down with dairy.

What ethnicity is latkes? ›

A latke (Yiddish: לאַטקע latke; sometimes romanized latka, lit. "pancake") is a type of potato pancake or fritter in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine that is traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah. Latkes can be made with ingredients other than potatoes such as cheese, onion, carrot, and zucchini.

What are Yankee potatoes? ›

In the 1800s “Yankees” in the Northeast enjoyed large. cut potatoes roasted- with crispy pan marks on the. outside and a luscious earthy center. Guests near the. kitchen could hear the slang “yanks” being yelled to.

What do Americans call breakfast potatoes? ›

Home fries are cubed, wedged, or sliced potatoes that are pan- or skillet-fried. In America, home fries are traditionally served for breakfast in place of hash browns.

What do the English call potato cakes? ›

Potato scallops/Potato cakes

In Australia and England, potato scallops are thin slices of potato that have been battered and deep-fried.

What does potato latke taste like? ›

Taste, Texture, and Flavor

They have a slightly sweet and savory flavor, with a hint of onion. The eggs and flour help to bind the potatoes together, and the frying process gives the latkes their signature crispy exterior. We used to grate the potatoes by hand, but if you have a food processor, there's really no need!

Are latkes basically hash browns? ›

Latkes are basically Jewish hash browns. Traditionally served around Hanukkah (our Festival of Lights), these shallow-fried potato pancakes can be dressed up or served simply as a perfect comfort food.

What nationality invented potato pancakes? ›

Although many Americans associate potato pancakes with Hanukkah, they have more broad origins. They originated in the eastern European countries of Germany Austria, Russia and Poland as a peasant food. Potatoes were cheap, plentiful and easy to store, making them a staple and necessitating inventive potato recipes.

Does IHOP make potato pancakes? ›

Nutritional Information, Diet Info and Calories in. (2) Crispy Potato Pancakes. from IHOP. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

What do Americans call potato cakes? ›

In some states it's known as a 'potato scallop', in others it's a 'potato cake', and for years the debate has been bantered back and forward between protagonists. “It might be a 'scallop' of potato but let's not confuse it with a serve of scallops!

What were the original latkes made of? ›

Historically, Jews in Central and Southern Europe cooked kaese (cheese) latkes, and Jews in Eastern Europe made latkes from buckwheat or rye flour.

What are German potato pancakes made of? ›

Beat eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl; stir in potatoes and onion. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of potato mixture into hot oil in batches. Press to flatten.

What are potato pancakes made of? ›

More like hash browns than the style of pancake made using leftover mashed potatoes, the primary ingredient here is uncooked shredded potato that's combined with onion, egg, and flour. The potato mixture is then formed into patties and fried until each round is crisp and golden brown.

What is the difference between latkes and rosti? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. What is the difference between latkes and rösti? Latkes and rosti are both made with grated potato, but latkes will usually include eggs and/or flour to hold them together. A rösti also uses cooked shredded potatoes while latkes traditionally use raw.

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