Cottage Cheese Latkes: Crispy Pancakes

Cheese latkes, also known as cottage cheese pancakes, are the unexpected pancake you didn’t know you wanted. They’re high in protein, a smart way to use matzo meal, and come together quickly into crisp, comforting, delicious pancakes.

For other matzo meal pancake ideas, see the matzo meal pancake (bubula) recipe mentioned in this post.

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My dad’s cheese latke legacy

My dad (1927–2022) loved tinkering and fixing things. He could repair almost anything, but cooking was limited to a few reliable dishes. One beloved standby was cheese latkes—cottage cheese pancakes. They were his signature one-dinner recipe and sometimes his breakfast too.

I don’t know how these pancakes became “the dad dinner,” but the memory of them is vivid: the old pancake/waffle iron flipped to griddle mode, waiting for the speckled white batter.

We usually ate them with more dairy—sour cream—without many other sides. My dad was an early adopter of healthy habits like vitamins, exercise and meditation, yet his cooking options stayed simple. He also liked to tweak recipes; he added wheat germ to his pancakes to boost fiber. That change worked better than some of his other experiments—like brewer’s yeast in orange juice—recipes I can barely imagine now.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Cottage cheese pancakes (sometimes called chremslach) appear in many variations across cookbooks and family collections. This version is simple, forgiving and adaptable: my brother and nephew use it often and it’s easy enough for even a novice cook to follow.

Ingredients are common pantry items and substitutions are straightforward. Serve them savory as my family did, or finish with something sweet like maple syrup, cinnamon sugar, honey, or a fresh fruit compote for a different flavor profile.

Ingredients you’ll need

Below are the ingredients I used, along with substitution notes so you can adapt to what you have on hand.

• Cottage cheese: The base of these pancakes. Farmers’ cheese (drier) or ricotta can work—adjust milk for moisture.
• Matzo meal: Adds texture. If you don’t have matzo meal, try fine breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or almond meal. Matzo meal soaks up liquid, so avoid substituting with regular flour if you want the same texture.
• Wheat germ: Optional, but adds fiber and a nutty flavor. Oatmeal, oat bran, or ground flaxseed are good alternatives. For Passover, use all matzo meal and omit wheat germ.
• Baking powder: Optional. A small amount gives a lighter texture.
• Maple syrup: Adds a touch of sweetness. Honey or date syrup also work.
• Milk: Any milk works—dairy or plant-based. The amount can be adjusted to reach the batter consistency you prefer.

How to make this recipe

These cheese latkes are remarkably easy: combine the ingredients, let the batter rest briefly, then pan-fry until crisp. Follow these steps for dependable results.

1. Combine ingredients in a medium bowl. You can add all dry ingredients first then mix in the wet, or simply add everything together and stir—both approaches work. I typically add everything except the milk, then pour in the milk and mix until well combined.

2. Mix with a fork or whisk and let the batter rest for a few minutes so the matzo meal (or substitute) hydrates and the mixture firms slightly.

3. Heat a 10–12 inch skillet over medium to medium-high heat and add a small amount of butter or oil for a crisp edge. For larger batches you may prefer a griddle. Ladle about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake into the pan.

4. When the bottoms are golden and bubbles begin to appear on top, flip each pancake and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until both sides are golden and the centers are set.

5. Serve immediately with your preferred topping: sour cream, fruit compote, honey, jam, applesauce, or maple syrup.

Expert Tips and FAQs

1. These pancakes are forgiving—pay attention to batter thickness. If using all matzo meal, you may need a touch more liquid. After a few batches you’ll find the consistency you prefer.
2. Enjoy them for breakfast, lunch, a light dinner, or a snack. They’re portable and protein-rich, which makes them great for active days.

Other pancake recipes you might love

Matzo meal pancake (bubula)

Pumpkin pancakes

Deb’s perfect pancakes

Pancakes for one

P.S. If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating or review in the comments. Your feedback is appreciated.