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The two most common Hanukkah foods—fried potato latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts)—are absolutely delicious, but they are only the beginning. This collection of Hanukkah-friendly recipes shares both traditional and creative takes on Hanukkah fritters along with a variety of satisfying main dishes, bright and crunchy salads, air-fried treats that bring the crunch without the excess oil, and festive holiday desserts. Whether you celebrate the Festival of Lights (as Hanukkah is known) at home, or are simply looking for some cozy fare to light up a winter evening, these dishes have you covered.
01of 15Crispy Air-Fryer Pickle ChipsIf you love Hanukkah foods, but don’t love cooking with (and then disposing of) all that oil, the air fryer is your best friend. These crispy, briny fritters feature dill pickle chips coated with panko, then they’re blasted in the air fryer for a satisfying crunch without excess oil. Serve them with a smoky mayo dip for maximum flavor effect.View Recipe
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Crispy Air-Fryer Pickle Chips
If you love Hanukkah foods, but don’t love cooking with (and then disposing of) all that oil, the air fryer is your best friend. These crispy, briny fritters feature dill pickle chips coated with panko, then they’re blasted in the air fryer for a satisfying crunch without excess oil. Serve them with a smoky mayo dip for maximum flavor effect.
View Recipe
02of 15Parsnip-Celery Root LatkesSwap grated parsnips and celery root for potatoes, and you’ve got Hanukkah latkes with extra flavor. (And fiber too!) Serve them hot and crispy with a dab of sour cream or crème fraîche.View Recipe
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Parsnip-Celery Root Latkes
Swap grated parsnips and celery root for potatoes, and you’ve got Hanukkah latkes with extra flavor. (And fiber too!) Serve them hot and crispy with a dab of sour cream or crème fraîche.
03of 15Fennel & Grapefruit SaladThere’s nothing like a fresh and crunchy salad to balance out Hanukkah’s fried food indulgence. This simple and colorful combination pairs winter-friendly fennel and grapefruit for a burst of bright sweetness.View Recipe
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Fennel & Grapefruit Salad
There’s nothing like a fresh and crunchy salad to balance out Hanukkah’s fried food indulgence. This simple and colorful combination pairs winter-friendly fennel and grapefruit for a burst of bright sweetness.
04of 15Baked Potato LatkesThese baked latkes are fried in just a bit of oil and then finished in a hot oven. They are crisp on the outside, tender within and have all the traditional taste of fried potato latkes without the excess oil.View Recipe
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Baked Potato Latkes
These baked latkes are fried in just a bit of oil and then finished in a hot oven. They are crisp on the outside, tender within and have all the traditional taste of fried potato latkes without the excess oil.
05of 15Braised Brisket with Tomatoes & OnionsEric WolfingerThis saucy brisket is fork-tender and loaded with layers of umami, thanks to the combination of tamari, dried mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce and red wine. Pair a few slices of meat with crispy latkes, and spoon a bit of the sauce over everything for an unbeatable Hanukkah combo.View Recipe
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Braised Brisket with Tomatoes & Onions
Eric Wolfinger
This saucy brisket is fork-tender and loaded with layers of umami, thanks to the combination of tamari, dried mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce and red wine. Pair a few slices of meat with crispy latkes, and spoon a bit of the sauce over everything for an unbeatable Hanukkah combo.
06of 15Apricot RugelachSome Ashkenazi Jewish families follow the tradition of serving rugelach—twisted and filled crescent-shaped cookies—on Hanukkah. Apricot jam is a very common rugelach filling, but this recipe also includes ground ginger and softened dried apricots for extra flavor.View Recipe
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Apricot Rugelach
Some Ashkenazi Jewish families follow the tradition of serving rugelach—twisted and filled crescent-shaped cookies—on Hanukkah. Apricot jam is a very common rugelach filling, but this recipe also includes ground ginger and softened dried apricots for extra flavor.
07of 15Zucchini Pancakes with Tatbila SaucePhotographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Skyler Myers, Prop Stylist: Gabriel GrecoWhile zucchini is typically associated with late-summer cooking, it also makes a delicious base for Hanukkah latkes. These fritters are seasoned with Parmesan cheese and served with a vibrant chile sauce.View Recipe
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Zucchini Pancakes with Tatbila Sauce
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Skyler Myers, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
While zucchini is typically associated with late-summer cooking, it also makes a delicious base for Hanukkah latkes. These fritters are seasoned with Parmesan cheese and served with a vibrant chile sauce.
08of 15Raspberry SufganiyotHanukkah’s most beloved doughnut, sufganiyot, fills puffy rounds of fried dough with jam or other delicious fillings. This recipe is made with whole-wheat pastry flour and seasoned with cardamom and orange zest. Seedless raspberry jam piped into the centers after frying adds the perfect touch of sweetness.View Recipe
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Raspberry Sufganiyot
Hanukkah’s most beloved doughnut, sufganiyot, fills puffy rounds of fried dough with jam or other delicious fillings. This recipe is made with whole-wheat pastry flour and seasoned with cardamom and orange zest. Seedless raspberry jam piped into the centers after frying adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
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Berbere-Spiced Chicken & Lentil Stew
10of 15Air-Fryer Zucchini ChipsCornstarch and panko combine in the coating for these cute and crunchy zucchini chips. Serve them with creamy dill and chive sauce on day four or five of Hanukkah, when you’ve had your fill of latkes and doughnuts.View Recipe
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Air-Fryer Zucchini Chips
Cornstarch and panko combine in the coating for these cute and crunchy zucchini chips. Serve them with creamy dill and chive sauce on day four or five of Hanukkah, when you’ve had your fill of latkes and doughnuts.
11of 15Cheesy Spinach-&-Artichoke Stuffed Spaghetti SquashSome families have the tradition of serving dairy dishes on Hanukkah, and these cheesy stuffed squash, filled with cream cheese and Parmesan along with briny artichoke hearts and earthy spinach, fit the bill perfectly. They make a satisfying main dish to pair with latkes and other fried goodies.View Recipe
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Cheesy Spinach-&-Artichoke Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Some families have the tradition of serving dairy dishes on Hanukkah, and these cheesy stuffed squash, filled with cream cheese and Parmesan along with briny artichoke hearts and earthy spinach, fit the bill perfectly. They make a satisfying main dish to pair with latkes and other fried goodies.
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Beet Salad
Photographer / Victor Protasio, Food Stylist / Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist / Kay Clarke
13of 15Air-Fryer Gingerbread ChurrosPhotographer: Brie Passano, Food Stylist: Greg Luna, Art Director: Stephanie HunterGingerbread may be more closely associated with Christmas than Hanukkah, but churros, which are traditionally deep-fried, are a fitting Hanukkah dessert. These churros get their crispy exterior in an air fryer, but have all the sugar-coated, crunchy appeal of the original. Serve them as is, or dunked into melted dark chocolate.View Recipe
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Air-Fryer Gingerbread Churros
Photographer: Brie Passano, Food Stylist: Greg Luna, Art Director: Stephanie Hunter
Gingerbread may be more closely associated with Christmas than Hanukkah, but churros, which are traditionally deep-fried, are a fitting Hanukkah dessert. These churros get their crispy exterior in an air fryer, but have all the sugar-coated, crunchy appeal of the original. Serve them as is, or dunked into melted dark chocolate.
14of 15Eggplant Schnitzel with Plum SlawGreg DuPreeBring the crunch of latkes to the main course with this vegan (baked, not fried) eggplant schnitzel. The panko-and-sesame-seed coating gives the fried eggplant extra crispness, while a bright and punchy slaw lends freshness to your Hanukkah meal. Substitute persimmons or pears for the plums for a more seasonal take.View Recipe
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Eggplant Schnitzel with Plum Slaw
Greg DuPree
Bring the crunch of latkes to the main course with this vegan (baked, not fried) eggplant schnitzel. The panko-and-sesame-seed coating gives the fried eggplant extra crispness, while a bright and punchy slaw lends freshness to your Hanukkah meal. Substitute persimmons or pears for the plums for a more seasonal take.
15of 15One-Bowl Vegan Chocolate CakeJennifer CauseyThere’s no bad time to serve chocolate cake, but a Hanukkah party is a particularly wonderful time. This dairy- and egg-free version melts chocolate chips in hot brewed coffee, to give the cake a deep chocolaty flavor. For an extra-festive presentation, decorate the top of the cake with small rounds of chocolate gelt.View Recipe
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One-Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cake
Jennifer Causey
There’s no bad time to serve chocolate cake, but a Hanukkah party is a particularly wonderful time. This dairy- and egg-free version melts chocolate chips in hot brewed coffee, to give the cake a deep chocolaty flavor. For an extra-festive presentation, decorate the top of the cake with small rounds of chocolate gelt.
EatingWell.com, December 2023
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