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Home || Recipe Roundups || Hanukkah Recipes for the Holidays

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Home || Recipe Roundups || Hanukkah Recipes for the Holidays

by 47 Comments

Hanukkah Recipes for the Holidays

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights, a holiday that commemorates the Maccabean revolt and the rededication of the Jewish temple in the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days (and eight crazy nights!), in honor of the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight full nights in the Holy Temple. This means you’ll need to plan for eight Hanukkah celebration dinners. That’s a lot of good eating! Of course, having a lot of delicious Hanukkah recipes to choose from makes it easier.

In the roundup below, you’ll find an assortment of unique and flavorful kosher Hanukkah recipe options, including appetizers, salads, entrees, sides, and desserts. There are plenty of ideas to inspire you as you plan your holiday menu. I’ve gathered some tried-and-true favorite Hanukkah recipes, including some dishes I’ve recently updated. Additionally I’ve added some less traditional dishes that would be right at home on a Hanukkah menu. Scroll down for over fifty delicious recipe ideas!

What Foods are Traditional for Hanukkah?

For a lot of Jews, Hanukkah means latkes – or potato pancakes. And yes, there are latke recipes here. LOTS of them, including traditional recipes and some more unique takes on the latke concept. Of course there are also plenty of recipes for loved ones who are gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian that everyone will love.

This list includes traditional Ashkenazi Hanukkah recipes like sufganiyot, kugel, brisket, and chopped liver. Furthermore, I’ve included Sephardic Jewish Hanukkah dishes like keftes and buñuelos. All of the recipes on this list are kosher. However, the list includes both dairy recipes and meat recipes. If you’re planning a kosher holiday meal, you’ll want to make sure to serve meat dishes and dairy dishes separately – so choose your menu accordingly.

New to the Hanukkah holiday and wondering what it’s all about? You can read more here, or watch my Hanukkah video above. If you’re looking to get little ones involved in holiday planning, you can find Hanukkah holiday crafts here. Enjoy!

HANUKKAH RECIPES

Classic Potato Latkes

A classic Hanukkah recipe! Learn to make crispy, flavorful Jewish potato latkes for Hanukkah with potato shreds, schmaltz or vegetable oil, onions, and matzo meal. Don't forget the sour cream and homemade applesauce!
Click here for recipe
Horizontal shot - platter of classic potato latkes with carafe of applesauce and spoon on wooden table. Rack of latkes and plates stacked with a few latkes in background, along with cloth napkin.

Sufganiyot

Fried and delectably sweet, these jelly doughnuts are traditional Hanukkah fare. Since they can be a bit tricky to make, here you'll find all the steps and troubleshooting tips you'll need to cook up perfect sufganiyot.
Click here for recipe
Sufganiyot on white platter dusted with sugar, more in background on cooling rack, with blue cloth towel.

Holiday Brisket

Inspired by Ashkenazi-style sweet and sour brisket, this tender and aromatic brisket is always a a favorite.
Click here for recipe
A slice of beef brisket next to a side of vegetables and topped with gravy on a round white plate.

Gluten Free Crispy Yukon Gold Latkes

Latkes for all of your gluten free loved ones! Made bite-sized and extra crispy with just six simple ingredients.
Click here for recipe
Close up shot - crispy golden latkes on a white plate with sour cream and applesauce. Fork and knife with cloth napkin on the side. Pile of potato pancakes in the background.

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

This beautiful side dish is perfect for a holiday table. Roasting root vegetables brings out their natural sweetness, giving them a flavor and texture that is irresistible.
Click here for recipe
Overhead shot of oven roasted root vegetables with beets, carrots, potatoes, and parsnip. Spoon and fresh herbs on the side, cloth napkin above.

Chopped Liver

This classic Jewish spread is very popular during the holidays. Learn to make it the traditional way at the link below.
Click here for recipe
Horizontal shot - dish of chopped liver garnished with chopped hard boiled egg and fresh parsley, with lettuce, serving knife and rye bread pieces, on a wooden cutting board.

Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes

Rosemary chicken pieces roasted on a bed of potatoes, fresh rosemary, garlic, and lemon. Easy, healthy and delicious roasted chicken recipe.
Click here for recipe
Horizontal shot - in foreground, a small plate with a whole roasted chicken leg, roasted potatoes, and rosemary with, fork, knife, and linen napkin beside it. In background, a platter of roasted chicken legs on a bed of roasted potatoes, lemon, and fresh rosemary. Wooden spoon and kitchen towel beside the platter.

Kartoffelpuffer – Baked Vegan Latkes

These vegan and gluten free potato patties are baked, not fried, making them a slightly healthier alternative to the classic Hanukkah latke. They are bound by tahini, which gives them a wonderful flavor.
Click here for recipe
Crispy baked potato tahini pancake patties topped with tahini and parsley on white plate with bowl of tahini, spoon, and cabbage salad in background, on grey concrete counter.

Jewish Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This simple appetizer recipe is popular during Hanukkah and so simple to make. It also makes a great entree option and works well for any holiday celebration.
Click here for recipe
Sweet and sour meatballs on a plate with cloth napkin beside, more meatballs in dish in background.

Kale Caesar Salad with Creamy Garlic Dressing

A delicious kale Caesar salad with creamy roasted garlic dressing, Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs and crushed red pepper flakes on massaged kale.
Click here for recipe
Horizontal shot - dish and serving bowls filled with kale Caesar salad on a white marble countertip. Linen napkins, metal fork, and two wooden serving spoons beside them.

Savory Slow Cooker Brisket

Free up your oven by making this easy, tender, and delicious brisket in the slow cooker. A combination of spices, onions, and garlic lend a wonderful savory flavor to this holiday entree.
Click here for recipe

Smoked Salmon Crostini

Recipe for a delicious smoked salmon holiday appetizer with a light Greek yogurt cream cheese spread, fresh dill, and capers.
Click here for recipe
Salmon crostini topped with dill.

Latke Waffles

Wondering what to serve for breakfast during Hanukkah? While you could certainly serve traditional latkes, it's much more fun to prepare them as waffles.
Click here for recipe
Latke Waffles - Crispy Shredded Potato Waffle Recipe

Buñuelos with Warm Chocolate Sauce

Sephardic-inspired sweet buñuelos, also known as bimuelos or levivot, are small fried doughnut fritters. Serve them with warm chocolate sauce for a totally decadent Hanukkah dessert.
Click here for recipe
Small dessert plate of three fried buñuelos or bimuelos, topped with powdered sugar and drizzled with chocolate sauce. Platter of powdered sugar buñuelos and a dish of chocolate sauce, cloth napkin in background.

Jewish Fried Artichokes

Follow this recipe and step-by-step photo tutorial to make crispy and savory Jewish Fried Artichokes. You'll also find all of the necessary steps for cleaning and prepping artichokes.
Click here for recipe
Jewish Fried Artichokes - Recipe and step-by-step photo tutorial for crispy and savory Jewish Fried Artichokes. Includes steps for cleaning and prepping artichokes.

Aunt Bev’s Vegetarian Chopped Liver

Learn to make delicious vegetarian chopped liver with sautéed onions, hard boiled eggs, peas, and walnuts.
Click here for recipe
Horizontal shot - White bowl of vegetarian chopped liver topped with chopped hard boiled egg and chopped parsley, with a wooden spatula, bunch of fresh parsley, wooden platter of crackers, and linen napkins beside it, on a marble countertop.

Fig Salad with Kale and Halloumi

This nutritious and delicious fig salad recipe features fresh figs, halloumi cheese, walnuts, massaged kale, and a flavorful balsamic dressing.
Click here for recipe
Overhead shot - large white bowl filled with fig salad with dark green curly kale, pan-seared halloumi cheese, and walnuts. Fork and linen napkin beside the bowl, fresh fig halves scattered across the marble countertop.

Uri Buri’s Lemon Turmeric Salmon

An easy, delicious salmon recipe from Chef Uri Jeremias of Uri Buri Restaurant in Acre, Israel.
Click here for recipe

Eggnog Gingerbread Kugel

An easy, decadent, sweet noodle kugel dessert inspired by the flavors of the winter holiday season – eggnog and gingerbread. It can be made ahead and makes a great addition to any holiday potluck.
Click here for recipe
Eggnog Gingerbread Kugel - Jewish Noodle Casserole Made with Eggnog, Holiday Spices and a Gingersnap Crumble Topping from ToriAvey.com

Crispy Panko Potato Latkes

A slight variation on classic latkes. Make perfectly crispy panko potato latkes with a fluffy, flavorful center using this step-by-step tutorial with photos.
Click here for recipe
Crispy Panko Potato Latkes

Jeweled Black Rice Salad

A beautiful and healthy side dish, fit for a fancy occasion and even better when made ahead. The colorful mixture of black rice, squash, and fruit is dotted with jewel-like pomegranate arils and filled with layers of flavor.
Click here for recipe
Overhead shot of black rice mixed with butternut squash, chopped fruit and fresh mint in a green decorative bowl.

Sweet Potato Latkes with Brown Sugar Syrup

All of the flavors of traditional marshmallow topped sweet potato casserole in a sweet and savory sweet potato latke. You'll love them, trust me.
Click here for recipe

Kale Pear and Cranberry Salad

A simple and healthy massaged kale salad with olive oil, lemon juice, pears, dried cranberries, and pine nuts.
Click here for recipe
Kale Pear and Cranberry Salad - Healthy Recipe

Curry Vegetable Latkes

A crispy, tasty, and healthier alternative to potato latkes, made from vegetables with a wonderful curry spice flavor.
Click here for recipe
Curry Latkes made from vegetables- no potato shreds. Crispy and tasty, a healthier latke.

Spicy Roasted Carrots and Fennel

The perfect dish to add some color to your holiday table. Roasting carrots and fennel gives these vegetables a sweet touch that pairs well with a pinch of spicy heat.
Click here for recipe
Spicy Roasted Carrots and Fennel Recipe - Simple, flavorful and colorful vegan side dish for your dinner table.

Keftes de Espinaca

My late friend and food historian Gil Marks shares how to make keftes de espinaca – fried patties made with spinach, mashed potatoes, egg, and breadcrumbs.
Click here for recipe
Horizontal shot - plate of fried keftes de espinaca - spinach keftes - piled on a white plate with fresh spinach, canister of breadcrumbs, spatula and cloth napkin in background.

Sweet Potato Coconut Chremslach

These crisp and fluffy sweet potato pancakes are made with coconut and spiced with garam masala for a delish holiday treat.
Click here for recipe
Sweet Potato Coconut Chremslach - Sweet Potato Pancake Recipe for Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Thanksgivukah Holidays

No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake Parfaits

This simple and decadent no-bake dessert features dark chocolate, ricotta, and Greek yogurt. It's fast, easy to make ahead, and so delicious.
Click here for recipe
Horizontal shot of three glass dessert cups filled with a layered chocolate parfait.

Cheese Latkes

Learn the history of latkes, dating back to 13th century Italy, and a recipe for Italian-style ricotta cheese latkes.
Click here for recipe
Cheese Latkes

Keftes de Prassa

A recipe for Sephardic fried leek patties from my late friend and food historian, Gil Marks.
Click here for recipe
Gil Marks' Keftes de Prassa

Roasted Cauliflower Gratin

A gratin made from creamy cheese sauce and caramelized roasted cauliflower. I've also provided an easy, gluten-free modification.
Click here for recipe

Red Rice and Beet Cakes with Honey Mustard

A unique vegetarian appetizer or entree from Maria Speck's Simply Ancient Grains. These beet and oat cakes are fried until crispy and served with a tangy-sweet sauce that balances the savory flavor perfectly.
Click here for recipe
Red Rice and Beet Cakes with Honey Mustard - Crispy, fried vegetarian cakes with a sweet sauce from Simply Ancient Grains

Spicy Panko Chickpea Patties

Make a crispy, crunchy, and tasty vegetarian snack with this simple falafel-like recipe.
Click here for recipe
Spicy Panko Chickpea Patties

Middle Eastern Roasted Vegetable Rice

Fluffy basmati rice with turmeric & Middle Eastern spices, roasted eggplant and carrots, chickpeas, and pine nuts. Makes a fabulous vegetarian entree or side dish.
Click here for recipe
Horizontal Shot - close up of Middle Eastern Roasted Vegetable Rice in a bowl with a spoon.

Israeli-Style Fish Cakes

Seasoned fishcakes, known in Israel as ktzitzot dagim. Fried fish patties with pine nuts, breadcrumbs, & seasonings served with tahini sauce.
Click here for recipe
Whitefish Croquettes

Yemenite-Style Matzo Ball Soup

A Middle Eastern take on an Ashkenazi classic, this traditional Passover soup takes on a new personality with Yemenite spices and fresh cilantro. The chicken is slowly simmered with turmeric and black pepper, an anti-inflammatory powerhouse combination. The result is a deep golden, richly spiced broth with fluffy herbed matzo balls.
Click here for recipe

Roasted Vegetable Moussaka

A Mediterranean recipe that takes a bit of time and preparation to put together, but the effort is well worth it. The finished dish is a layered vegetarian casserole with loads of flavor, impressive enough for a holiday table.
Click here for recipe
Close up of slice of Roasted Vegetable Moussaka on a small plate on wood table.

Portobello Mushroom Schnitzel

A deliciously crunchy, vegan, beer-battered mushroom schnitzel recipe made with panko breadcrumbs. Can also be made with seltzer instead of beer.
Click here for recipe
Portobello Mushroom Schnitzel – Delicious Crunchy Vegan Beer-Battered Schnitzel Recipe with Panko. Irresistible!

Rum and Coffee Brisket

A unique recipe for rum and coffee infused beef brisket cooked with onions, garlic and red bell peppers. Savory and perfect for the holidays.
Click here for recipe
Rum and Coffee Brisket Recipe

Hummus Baked Vegan Moussaka

A crave-worthy vegan casserole with layers of flavorful roasted vegetables, a lentil-mushroom filling, and a delectable baked hummus topping. 
Click here for recipe
A square slice of vegan moussaka on a small white plate in foreground with fork and linen napkin. A red, rectangular baking dish and a stainless steel serving shovel on the background with another serving of a sliced vegan moussaka.

Saffron Chickpea Risotto

Golden, creamy saffron-infused vegetarian risotto with added chickpeas for complete protein. This hearty and filling entree is irresistible!
Click here for recipe
Front angled shot of creamy Saffron Chickpea Risotto on dark blue plate, another plate of risotto, fork, cloth napkin and short decorative wine glass in background.

Smoky Panko Schnitzel Bites

Recipe for bite-sized chicken schnitzel pieces coated in smoky, crispy panko breadcrumbs with sesame, served with warm honey sriracha sauce.
Click here for recipe
Close up plate of smoky panko schnitzel bites with glass container of sauce, red spoon, on wooden table with sauced schnitzel bites and towel in background.

Challah Bread Pudding with Kahlua Cream Sauce

A rich and decadent bread pudding recipe featuring eggy challah, raisins or chocolate chips, and luscious Kahlua cream sauce. My “famous” family recipe!
Click here for recipe
Challah Bread Pudding with Kahlua Cream Sauce

Savory Grass Fed Pot Roast

My favorite way to prepare an organic, grass fed roast. Recipe contains anti-inflammatory turmeric and a few other Middle Eastern spices to add depth of flavor. Serve over your favorite vegetables for a complete meal. 
Click here for recipe
Savory Grass Fed Pot Roast - Easy, Flavorful Recipe for Grass Fed Pot Roast with Turmeric, Onions, Mustard, Garlic & Spices

Hanukkah Holiday Sugar Cookies

I made lots and lots of sugar cookies decorated with royal icing so that I could share my tips and tricks with all of you! These tender crisp cookies are the perfect canvas for all of your holiday designs. Includes tutorials for royal icing and decorating.
Click here for tutorial

Polish Chicken Patties

A traditional Ashkenazi Jewish family recipe for Polish chicken patties also known as ktzitzot.
Click here for recipe
Polish Chicken Patties - Traditional Ashkenazi Jewish Family Recipe

Hanukkah Fritter Sundaes

Simple Hanukkah holiday sundaes made with fresh whipped cream, luscious chocolate sauce, and crisp warm fritters.
Click here for recipe
Two Hanukkah Fritter Sundaes in Glass Bowls with Spoon.

Mediterranean Olive Chicken

This healthy, marinated roast chicken recipe is packed with Mediterranean flavor thanks to a marinade of green olives, lime, honey, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. It's great anytime of year, but special enough for Hanukkah.
Click here for recipe
Mediterranean Olive Chicken - Healthy Roasted Marinated Chicken Recipe on ToriAvey.com

Date Glazed Orange Chicken

Sweet, flavorful recipe for orange and thyme-marinated roasted chicken glazed with date honey. Lovely holiday recipe.
Click here for recipe
Date Glazed Orange Chicken - Sweet, Flavorful Recipe for Orange-Marinated Roasted Chicken Glazed with Date Honey #RoshHashanah

Braised Lemon Chicken with Dill and Turmeric

Simple braised chicken dish flavored with lemon juice, fresh dill, and healthy anti-inflammatory turmeric spice. The flavors are some of my family's favorites and the 45 minute prep time has made it a popular dinner recipe year round.
Click here for recipe

Vegan Panko Fried Mushrooms

A delicious vegan appetizer made with mushrooms coated in vegan "buttermilk" and crispy panko breadcrumbs. Serve them with a creamy cashew dipping sauce and treat your vegan loved ones.
Click here for recipe
Vegan Buttermilk Panko Fried Mushrooms - Crispy Battered Mushrooms with a Creamy Cashew Dipping Sauce

Sriracha Salmon Cakes

These spicy, delicious salmon cake recipe with herbs, Greek yogurt and Sriracha can be baked or fried for a healthy and delicious twist on classic salmon cakes.
Click here for recipe
Two small dishes holding two salmon cakes topped with a spicy Sriracha sauce on a bed of lettuce. A platter of fish cakes and sauce is in the background.

Sopapillas

Kelly Jaggers shares her family recipe for fried pastries topped with cinnamon, sugar, and a drizzle of honey. 
Click here for recipe

Candy Dreidels

Hanukkah holiday food craft tutorial with detailed instructions and step-by-step photos. 
Click here for recipe
Candy dreidels with Hebrew letters and chocolate dipped with sprinkles.

 

Nutritional information should be considered an estimate only; please consult a registered dietician, nutritionist, or your physician for specific health-related questions. Read more here. Please note that the recipe above is published using a recipe card plugin, with preexisting software which can auto-calculate metric measurements, as well as change the number of servings. Metric conversions and changes to the number of servings (resulting in different ingredient amounts) will only appear in the ingredient list, and are not changed within the step-by-step directions of the recipe.
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  1. Avatar photojimmygourmet says

    Holy Moly Tori….so many recipes for me to choose for my cookbook!! You’re amazing girl…oops! lady…

    Reply

  2. Avatar photoEmily Schuster says

    Tori, just wanted to say thank you so much for your recipes. I first discovered your dairy-free hamantaschen recipe–I think it was last Purim–and loved it! My old recipe always produced dough that was too sticky and hard to roll/work with. I have now switched to your recipe!

    Today, I made latkes for my daughter’s first grade class using your classic latkes recipe. I have never successfully made a latke that didn’t fall apart, and with your recipe, they came out perfectly! I was thrilled! Jewish mother achievement unlocked!

    Reply

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