How important is baking powder to a recipe?

I'm making latkes and the recipe calls for 1/4 tsp of baking powder, which i don't have. Would it be alright if i just skip that?How important is baking powder to a recipe?
If a recipe calls for baking powder, it definitely needs it. It's a leavening agent and the product won't rise properly without it.How important is baking powder to a recipe?
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you need a substitute
Baking powder is a leavening agent (sometimes called just leavening or leaven) is a substance used in doughs and batters that causes a foaming action. The leavening agent reacts with moisture, heat, acidity, or other triggers to produce gas that becomes trapped as bubbles within the dough. When a dough or batter is baked, it ';sets'; and the holes left by the gas bubbles remain, giving breads, cakes, and other baked goods their soft, sponge-like textures.
Baking powder is important. I never heard of using in in latkes though. BP is a levelling agent and is what helps the batter rise.
its going to be rather flat...
I've never made latkes....In fact I don't really know what they are. But baking powder generally acts like a yeast would and makes baked goods rise. If you don't mind them being flat....then it's fine.
Cream of tarter can be used in place of baking powder


i think its 1/4 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of cream of tarter...