As we enter the Hanukkah and Christmas seasons, the warmth of shared meals and traditions takes center stage. This month’s featured recipe offers a healthier spin on a seasonal favorite: Sweet Potato Latkes. Sweet potatoes bring a naturally rich flavor, vibrant color, and a boost of nutrients, making this version just as festive, but more nourishing for you and your family.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta carotene), which supports immune health and vision, especially important during the winter months. They also provide fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like potassium, helping promote healthy digestion and stable energy levels. Beta carotene–rich foods also play a role in reducing inflammation and supporting overall wellness. And by air-frying instead of pan-frying, you can enjoy all the crispiness of traditional latkes with far less added oil.

Whether served with no-sugar-added applesauce or low-fat sour cream, these Sweet Potato Latkes are a delicious way to celebrate the season while choosing ingredients that fuel a healthier you. Enjoy and happy holidays!

Ingredients: 

1-2 large sweet potatoes, 16 oz. altogether

1 onion

2 scallions, diced

2 eggs, beaten

3 tablespoons tapioca flour

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Oil for frying – we recommend avocado oil!

Instructions:

Peel and grate the potatoes and onion (you can use a food processor or grate by hand) then place in a bowl of cold water and set aside.

Add the potato and onion mixture to a fine mesh strainer lined with a cheese cloth or a thin kitchen towel and strain as much excess water out as possible.

Place mixture into a bowl, along with scallions, eggs, tapioca flour, salt, pepper, garlic and baking powder and mix well.

Option 1 - Heat 1/2 cup of oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, make patties out of the potato mixture (squeeze out even more excess liquid as you make patties) and pan-fry batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Add more oil as needed.

Option 2 – Place patties in a single layer in an air fryer and cook at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through. This method avoids the additional oil from traditional frying!

Serve hot with no sugar added apple sauce or low-fat sour cream and enjoy!

Yields: 10 servings

Submitted by Shannon Cilento, Sullivan 180 Director of Community Development & Communications. Sullivan 180 is a non-profit organization dedicated to building a healthy community one degree at a time through people, places and policy, with an intentional focus on prevention and empowering a healthier generation. Sullivan 180 has partnered with the Sullivan County Democrat and Claire Burns to bring you delicious and nutritious recipes on the first Friday of every month. For more information on the work of Sullivan 180, visit Sullivan180.org. 

Recipe adapted from Lexi’s Clean Kitchen Blog.

Nutrition source: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health