Latkes and hash browns look similar because they are both made from grated potatoes, but they are actually quite different preparations. Hash browns are usually made of just seasoned diced or shredded potatoes, sometimes with the addition of onion or starch. Sometimes, the potatoes are cooked before they are griddled up. Latkes always contain eggs, which combine with the potato starch, flour, or matzoh meal to form a pancake with more substance than a hash brown. Additionally, hash browns are often cooked on a flat top, plancha, or in a skillet in a small amount of oil. Latkes are either pan-fried or deep-fried in a larger amount of oil.