Traditional Hanukkah Latkes
It is said that the history of latkes originated from the story of Judith. Judith was a Jewish woman revered as a heroine for beheading the Asyrrian army’s General, Holofernes. The story says that Judith fed him some pancakes that were salty and cheesy, along with wine. She took action when he passed out drunk from drinking wine. This miracle and action by Judith allowed the Isrealites to make their move on the Asyrrian army and save their land.
Originally, fried ricotta cheese pancakes were a tradition, however there was a crop failure in Poland and the Ukraine some years later. These crop failures resulted in mass planting of potatoes in their stead.
What is Hanukkah
The 8 day celebration of Hanukkah, commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after Judith provided the miracle in which led to the Jewish people being able to save their land from their Asyrrian oppressors.
Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew. It is often referred to as the festival of lights, and falls in November or December each year based on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar.
Typically in addition to food celebrations, gifts are exchanged, games are played, and there is the lighting of the menorah.
What Allergens are in Traditional Latkes
Traditional latkes are made with potato, onion, egg, Matzo Meal (contains wheat), kosher salt, black pepper and oil for frying. It is also traditionally served with sour cream and applesauce on the side. You can definitely substitute a vegan sour cream, or just serve with applesauce.
Being that I am half-Mexican and live in the Arizona southwest, I couldn’t resist adding salsa, and pico de gallo to mine. Delicioso!
Allergy Friendly Substitutions
You can make these 2 ways to provide for allergy substitutions. You can also fry them two ways!
Gluten Free Wheat Free Option and Substitution
For both of them I substituted the Matzo Meal, with the brand 4C Crumbs Gluten Free bread crumbs that are top 9 free and contain rice, raisin juice, honey and salt. I found them at WalMart.
Homemade Bread Crumbs DIY
If you cant get your hands on gluten free bread crumbs, just grab two slices of your go to allergy friendly bread. Toast it until it’s overly done, let it sit out to get slightly stale overnight, and them crumble it in a sealed ziplock bag while crushing with a rolling pin. Voila, allergy friendly bread crumbs.
Egg Free Option and Substitutions
One version substitutes the egg with a liquid egg substitute, JUST egg. It is made with mung bean and contains soy. It is widely available. In fact I grabbed a bottle in my WalMart online shopping order. Anytime I substitute JUST Egg in recipes, I add 1/4 JUST Egg for every egg called for in the recipe.
Flax Egg Recipe
Alternatively, you can make the latkes completely top 9 free, using a flax egg. If you ever want to sub egg where it is used as a binder in a recipe, just whisk together 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water, chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes until it thickens and gels. Then use in recipe in place of one egg.
How to Serve Your Latkes
Latkes are traditionally served with a side of sour cream and applesauce. They taste amazing with both. You can have fun topping them with a variety of options such as salsa, pico de gallo, lox and cream cheese, or even pumpkin butter.
Tag Me on Social Media with Your Latkes
I would love to see you enjoy making this allergy friendly latkes recipe for your Hanukkah celebrations. Perhaps you will create them for unit studies in your homeschool lessons.
You can find me on all social media channels @foodallergypi and use #foodallergypi
Hanukkah Latkes
Ingredients
Top 9 Free Latkes
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 6 tablespoons room temperature water
- 3 pound bag russet potatoes, peeled
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1/4 cup gluten free bread crumbs or matzo meal if allergy friendly for you
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup vegetable or avocado oil for frying omit if using an air fryer
- 1/2 cup sour cream for serving optional
- 1/2 cup applesauce for serving optional
Latkes using JUST Egg Substitute
- 3 pound bag russet potatoes, peeled
- 1 large yellow onion
- 1/2 cup JUST Egg substitute
- 1/4 cup gluten free bread crumbs or Matzo Meal if allergy friendly for you
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup vegetable or avocado oil for frying omit if using an air fryer
- 1/2 cup sour cream for serving optional
- 1/2 cup applesauce for serving optional
Instructions
Top 9 Free Latkes
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In a small mixing bowl whisk together ground flaxseed and water. Chill in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes while working on potatoes and onions.
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Using a box grater, grate potatoes and onions into a large mixing bowl. Place the grated potatoes and onions in a clean large thin kitchen towel. A store bought flour sack towel works great. Wring out excess liquid by squeezing the potato onion mixture over bowl.
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Set potato and onion mixture aside. Let liquid squeezed out set in bowl for 3-5 minutes to allow potato starch to fall to bottom. Drain excess liquid leaving starch on bottom of bowl.
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Add ground flaxseed mixture, bread crumbs, salt and pepper to starch in bowl. Add potatoes and onion. Using hands mix and fold until all ingredients are well combined.
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If using an air fryer, place in air frying basket, set air fryer to "air fry" setting, and air fry for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
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Serve warm with sides of sour cream and applesauce.
Latkes using JUST Egg Substitute
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Using a box grater, grate potatoes and onions into a large mixing bowl. Place the grated potatoes and onions in a clean large thin kitchen towel. A store bought flour sack towel works great. Wring out excess liquid by squeezing the potato onion mixture over bowl.
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Set potato and onion mixture aside. Let liquid squeezed out set in bowl for 3-5 minutes to allow potato starch to fall to bottom. Drain excess liquid leaving starch on bottom of bowl.
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Add JUST Egg, bread crumbs, salt and pepper to starch in bowl. Add potatoes and onion. Using hands mix and fold until all ingredients are well combined.
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If using an air fryer, place in air frying basket, set air fryer to "air fry" setting, and air fry for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
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Serve warm with sides of sour cream and applesauce.
Recipe Notes
The gluten free bread crumbs I used were purchased at WalMart, brand 4C Crumbs gluten free bread crumbs and contain rice, raisin juice, honey and salt.
Alternatively for bread crumbs that are wheat and gluten free, just toast a couple slices of your own allergy friendly bread of choice. Let sit out overnight to get stale, and crush them the following day. To crush, place stale toast in a ziplock bag, seal, and crush using a rolling pin.
An early happy Chanukah! I now can’t eat rice along with gluten and dairy. I’ve used potato starch, and it seems to work.
Yes indeed! Happy Chanukah!! I’m sorry to hear about your allergies. Getting additional ones especially like rice which is such a staple is hard! For the matzo, since this bread crumb has rice… get two slices of your favorite allergy friendly bread, toast it, let it sit overnight to stale. Then crush it into homemade bread crumbs. Hope that helps!
I have never tried a Latke before, they look delicious. I’d love to give your recipe a try.
When I was a child, my mom use to make Latkes for breakfast from time to time. It was a big favorite of mine! What a lovely recipe – I will have to try it out.
looks good. I tried small shrimps coated with flour and egg…but this they are same look but I think this delicous and tasty
These look so good! I can’t wait to make these and give them a try! They’re certain to be a hit!