What to serve with potato latkes

If you’re wondering what to serve with potato latkes, fear not – I have you generously covered with this list! But first, you will want to check out my gluten free potato latkes recipe because it is decadent. This post contains affiliate links.

Potato latkes are a staple of Chanukah, but unless you’re serving it completely on its own, you’re probably wondering what to serve with potato latkes.

Ideas are endless, but I will share some of my favorites. And FYI yes, I can eat a whole pile of latkes just like that, but I have some reasons for mixing it up, so we’re going to spend some time discussing what to serve with potato latkes in case you’re not just pounding them plain.

What to serve with Potato Latkes as Dips and toppers

Ever seen a latke board? Place some latkes on the board and include all sorts of toppings. It’s a way to make things a bit classier and allow people to personalize the food to their flavor. I also find that serving it this way means you have to fry up less of a pile. Both slate and wooden boards look gorgeous.

Granted, I’m a latke purist. But not everyone is. And even among those of us who are, sometimes, around the sixth or seventh or eighth night of Hanukkah we’re willing to switch it up a bit. Plus, latkes DO make a fabulous appetizer, so if you’re serving it at a seated meal as the app, you’ll want to dress it up a bit and plate it.

So here are some ideas for toppings to serve with latkes, whether plated, boarded, or casually.

Applesauce – I never really got it until I got older. Who would dip latkes into applesauce? But now I get it. The sweet cuts the salty. This is the most traditional topping and it works.

Sour cream – My personal favorite, I find that the cold creaminess of sour cream cuts the mealier, grainier texture of the hot latkes. So hot ‘n cold fans, this one is for you. Plus, you get a bit of protein in to help the body process the carbs.
Melted cheese – It’s really simple: just melt a bit of cheese right on top of the fresh latkes! It’s kind of like cheesy fries. Yes, you’re upping the salt factor, but it’s purely in the Chanukah spirit as cheese is a lesser known Hanukkah food too.
Lox – I’ve served smoked salmon with cauliflower rice patties, so why not with potato latkes? The smoky flavor goes beautifully with the earthy flavor of latkes, the texture complements it, and it adds a pop of color.

Bacon Pieces (kosher) – If you love the idea of some smoke but don’t want lox, you can try McCormick’s bacon pieces. They are not actually bacon – just flavored – and they also tie into the Hanukkah story… in totally the wrong way. This is best if you have another topping, such as sour cream, in between. Yes, they’re parve.
Salsa – Opt for a mild one, since it’ll really help cut the saltiness too.

Scallions – Add that gorgeous green to your latkes – yes, as a topping. Personally, I don’t mix scallions in my latkes (way to guarantee my kids won’t touch it) but as a latke topping it’s spot on. Mix with lox for the perfect, gorgeous, colorful mashup.
Herbs – Herbs as latke toppings are another fun way to add some green! I’d go for parsley but you do you.
Tehina – bring a taste of Israel into your Chanukah and dip it into tehina dip. It’s so healthy and protein rich.
Sauteed Onions – I always have a stash of sauteed onions in my freezer, and using it as a latke topping is the ultimate kitchen hack!
Sauteed Mushrooms – If you want even more savory to top your latkes, try sautéing mushrooms with garlic too!
Garlic aioli – Even better, try dipping it into a garlic aioli for a delicious touch.
Relishes and pickled vegetables (such as saurkraut) – these work fabulously with latkes, giving them that deli vibe.
Ketchup – you can eat your latkes with ketchup, but I might not talk to you ever again.

And FYI, don’t finish off this post with at least popping in to check out my post on how to make oven baked latkes in a muffin tin! And since they’re not quite as tasty as the real deal (though MUCH easier) you’ll have wanted these toppings to go along.

What to serve with potato latkes to make it a meal

So you’re going all supermom and frying fresh latkes for dinner because you don’t have anything better to do than stand over a frying pan and oh, the cleanup. But there’s nothing quite like it, and so once a year… (or eight times) yes, we make it work.

But then people also need other stuff to eat. Or so they say. You can really serve anything with latkes – anything that you’d serve potatoes with as a side.

I find that keeping things fresh, avoiding overly salty foods, and yes, treating the latkes like fries, work the best. I’m also inclined to go heavy on the protein, as a prediabetic who loves latkes. Proteins before carbs can help the body handle it better, preventing sugar spikes, so let’s do this.

Here are some actual ideas that follow my self-imposed structure – or don’t.

Israeli salad – this is one of the most refreshing salads in my opinion, and it really helps cut the saltiness of latkes
Light citrusy, leafy salad – If you prefer a leafy salad, keep it light to balance the latkes and make the dressing lemony or orange juicy.
Quinoa Tabbouleh – While this does include another grain, it’s a protein-y grain and the herbiness goes so well with latkes.
Shnitzel – If you’re really in the frying zone, you can pair it with schnitzel. Consider the latkes to be the fries. Or, oven bake your schitzel.
Hot dogs or hamburgers – You can always BBQ and serve up the latkes instead of your fries.
Fish sticks – Again, as one of my go-to kid-friendly proteins to go with fries, I’d serve this up with latkes in a pinch.
Salmon – This is the one I spring for the most, because it’s really healthy and protein rich to balance the fries. Broil or make a side of salmon if hosting a bit party.
Eggs – think of it as “breakfast for dinner” because they’re kind of like hash browns)