Trader Joe's Potato Pancakes (latkes) are one of those frozen finds that make life easier. They're made with shredded potatoes, onions, eggs, and a light batter-so you get that crispy-outside, tender-inside bite without the hassle of grating and frying at home.
What's in the box
You get eight latkes in a box. They're thin, uniform in shape, and made with simple ingredients: potatoes, onion, egg, a bit of flour, and seasoning. Nothing strange-just the basics.
How to cook them
The microwave will leave them soggy, so the oven or air fryer is the way to go. In the oven, 400°F for about 10 minutes per side works well. In the air fryer, 6-7 minutes at 390°F makes them perfectly crisp with golden edges.
Taste and texture
These latkes hit the comfort zone. The edges crisp up nicely, the middle stays soft, and there's just a light onion flavor. They're mild on their own, which makes them perfect for toppings-applesauce if you want sweet, sour cream for creamy tang, or both if you like the classic combo.
Quick topping hack
After crisping them up, add a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of smoked salmon, and a few capers. It instantly feels like a fancy brunch dish with almost no effort.
My experience
One Saturday afternoon, I threw a few in the air fryer while making a salad and ended up eating the latkes as the main event. A quick spoon of Greek yogurt or saur cream and some leftover salsa on top, and suddenly they felt more like a full meal than just a side. They're definitely the kind of thing I like having in the freezer for "lazy but still tasty" moments.
Compare to homemade latkes
Homemade latkes are chunkier, oilier, and have that uneven, rustic texture that frozen ones can't quite match. Trader Joe's version is thinner, cleaner, and much less greasy.
They don't replace the homemade holiday version, but they're a solid substitute when I want the flavor without all the effort (and the oil splatters).
Similar products
If you enjoy these, you might also like:
- Trader Joe's Hashbrowns
- Trader Joe's Roasted Potatoes
- Trader Joe's Latke Chips (when available seasonally)
Final thoughts
Trader Joe's Potato Pancakes are a freezer shortcut that deliver on crispiness and comfort. They're simple and perfect for topping any way you like. Not quite the same as homemade, but an easy 8 out of 10 in my book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆
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