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Chanukah

5 Reasons Why You Should Fry Your Latkes Outdoors

Rachel Kor November 20, 2021

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We all love a good latke on Chanukah, but let’s face it, the frying is such a pain. Oil splatters everywhere, the house gets really hot, and your clothing and house will smell like a fast food restaurant for the week.

We’ve all been waiting for a great cooking shortcut or hack when it comes to frying latkes, and the wait is officially over. The solution? Frying them outside.

Now, I know the weather is getting colder, so for those of you who need a little convincing, read below for my five reasons to fry outside.

 
PLEASE READ THE MANUALS ON YOUR COOKING EQUIPMENT FOR SAFETY TIPS AND PRECAUTIONS BEFORE TRYING ANY OF THE IDEAS BELOW.

 

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5 REASONS TO FRY LATKES OUTDOORS:

 

1. There’s No Smell

Imagine walking through the patio door with a fresh plate of hot latkes and smelling…nothing. No greasy, fried smell taking over the house? Yes please! 

 

2. No Splattered Oil Inside

The last thing you want to do before hosting a Chanukah party is scrubbing clean your countertops and a dangerously hot stovetop. When you fry outside, there’s no mess that needs to be cleaned right away. Simply hose everything off later.

 

3. It Can Be Fun!

We have outdoor campfires and it’s a blast, so why not host an outdoor Fry Fest? Set up a table of warm beverages, hang some party lights and start frying! The only downside? The fresh, hot latkes will be eaten quicker than you can fill up the serving plate.

4. It Won’t Make The House Hot
A warm house in the winter is a must, but a hot house with smoke everywhere? We’ll pass.  

5. Everyone Will Be Super Impressed
The house is immaculate, you look relaxed and ready for a party, and yet there’s a plate of perfectly golden hot crispy latkes on your counter. You’ll have your guests thinking they’re witnessing a Chanukah miracle. 

 

HOW TO FRY LATKES OUTDOORS:

– Portable Electric Burners

Place your burners on a sturdy table in a well-ventilated area away from your house. Set up a bottle of oil, a frying pan, sheet pans lined with paper towels, a bowl of your prepared latke mixture, and a spatula and get to frying!

 
– Grill
Yes, you can actually turn on your grill when it’s cold outside. Preheat the grill and put your pans of oil straight onto the burners. Be sure not to close the lid, and keep an eye on the flame level to ensure they aren’t too high or low.

 

When frying over open flames, be very careful transferring the latkes to the plate. Let the excess oil drip off for a few seconds in the pan first. Also, to eliminate any risk of oil overflowing, don’t overfill your pan with oil. We do not recommend deep frying on the grill. If choosing to use the grill method, do not fill your frying pan with more than an inch of oil. 

 

TIPS FOR FRYING LATKES OUTDOORS:

 
1. Designate a member of your family to be the “latke collector” to ensure the latkes don’t sit outside for too long and get cold.

 

2. Always read the manuals on your cooking equipment for safety tips and precautions before using them outdoors.

 

3. Have a fire extinguisher handy for emergencies.

 

 
Don’t limit yourself to frying just latkes outdoors. Below are more delicious foods to try!

34 of the Best Foods to Fry

3 Savory Funnel Cakes for Chanukah!

Fried Candy Bars

Gooey Cheesy Potato Latkes

Aruk – Iraqi Herb and Potato Patties