Whether you spell it Hannukah, Hanukkah or Channukah, it’s a holiday celebrated by Jews around the world. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it commemorates when Jews had to leave their temple after it was occupied by the Syrian-Greek empire. When they returned, they found only had enough oil to light the candelabras (now called the menorah) for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.
Today, Jews light the menorah for eight nights. They play games, sing songs and exchange gifts. Of course, food is involved too. The spreads involve foods that are fried—like potato latkes and jelly doughnuts—as reminders of the oil in the Hanukkah story.
Ahead, find 49 of the best Hanukkah recipes to make for your feast this year.
Related: 8 Best Hanukkah Treats and Dessert Recipes
What Are Traditional Hanukkah Foods?
An array of food can be served at Hannukah dinner. Traditional fare includes brisket, roasted chicken, bagels, rugelach, matzo ball soup and kugel. Anything goes, though. It’s really up to you and your family about what you like and want to eat.
How Is Hanukkah Dinner Served?
A sit-down meal is traditional for holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Passover and Yom Kippur. Hanukkah doesn’t always involve a family feast. Many families hold a party and enjoy Hanukkah dinner together.
What Is the Most Popular Food During Hanukkah?
Potato pancakes, also called latkes, are typically the most traditional and popular food during Hanukkah. They’re fried in oil to commemorate the oil that lasted for eight days.
49 Best Hanukkah Recipes
Hanukkah Cupcakes
Pam’s Daily Dish
This is an easy recipe to make with your favorite frosting.
Get the recipe here.
Challah Donuts
Chef Michael Solomonov
Jelly-filled donuts, or sufganiyot, are classic Hanukkah treats otherwise known as challah donuts. Chef Michael Solomonov has shared his delicious recipe with us.
Get the recipe here
Latkes
Papi Steak
Miami steakhouse Papi Steak is known for their famous latkes and now you can make them at home for Hanukkah.
Get the recipe here
Cinnamon Rugelach
Skinny Sweets Daily
Rugelach (pronounced rug-a-la) is a cookie that is served for many Jewish holidays, a popular one being Hanukkah. A rugelach’s shape varies, but it’s mainly a crescent shape.
Get the recipe here
Potato-Carrot Latkes
Parade
Carrots add incredible flavor to this traditional Hanukkah favorite.
Get the recipe here
Pumpkin Chocolate Hazelnut Rugelach
Shannon Sarna
This recipe combines pumpkin and chocolate for flavors that complement one another.
Get the recipe here
Noodle Kugel
Andrew Zimmern
Noodle kugel is usually served as a side dish alongside the main course at dinner. The balance of sweet and savory creates a playful delight for the taste buds.
Get the recipe here
Grandma Ruthie’s Famous Noodle Pudding
Pam Beth
See if you can let this noodle pudding sit on the counter for about 10 to 15 minutes before cutting it. It smells so good; you’ll likely be unable to wait it out.
Get the recipe here
Related: Celebrate the Festival of Lights With the 25 Catchiest Hanukkah Songs
Rose’s Pure Potato Latkes
Rose Levy Beranbaum
These latkes are so simple thanks to having no egg and no flour. That’s why they’re called pure.
Get the recipe here
Parsnip-Golden Beet Latkes
Andrew Purcell for Parade
Classic latkes get a twist with parsnips and golden beets.
Get the recipe here
Apple and Honey Latkes
Andrew Purcell for Parade
Apples and honey aren’t just for Rosh Hashanah. Use those ingredients when making this sweet dish.
Get the recipe here
Curried Sweet Potato Latkes
Andrew Purcell for Parade
Give your latkes some kick with some curry powder.
Get the recipe here.
Harissa and Goat Cheese Rugelach
Shannon Sarna
If you’re a fan of rugelach, try this fresh twist on the cookie.
Get the recipe here
Spicy Pizza Rugelach
Shannon Sarna
This savory rugelach, also from Sarna, pairs the flavors of pizza with a traditional Jewish pastry.
Get the recipe here
Homestyle Onion Soup Brisket
Pam Beth
This recipe is easy to prepare and creates plenty of leftovers. If you make this during the week, you’ll get to enjoy it for two nights.
Get the recipe here
Ginger Glazed Carrots with Toasted Spices
Graham Elliot
Here, toasting the spices lends depth. Braising the carrots in carrot juice, along with honey, underscores their natural sweetness.
Get the recipe here
Smoked Salmon Bagel Bake
Amy Barnes
Bagels and lox gets a one-dish spin with a handful of ingredients. It’s a quick and easy casserole.
Get the recipe here
Roasted Carrots and Sweet Potato Tzimmes
Parade
Tzimmes is an eastern European stew of carrots and/or sweet potatoes and prunes traditionally cooked with beef flanken, often sweetened with brown or white sugar and sometimes thickened with flour.
Get the recipe here
Roasted Autumn Fruit
Staci Valentine
Serve this dish on its own or as an accompaniment to cakes or ice cream. Roasting the fruit brings out their spicy notes. This dish is also naturally a gluten- and dairy-free recipe.
Get the recipe here
Hearty Winter Slaw
Parade
It’s hard to resist any salad made with pears, especially at a holiday meal.
Get the recipe here
Apple Kugel
Parade
Apples are the star of the show in this holiday dish.
Get the recipe here
Crock Pot Roasted Chicken
Nisa Burn Cochran
You’ll love how easy this recipe for roasted chicken is. And by cooking it in your Crock Pot, the result is a flavorful, rotisserie-like chicken that’s delicious.
Get the recipe here
Grandma’s Matzo Ball Soup
Love & Olive Oil
The secret to the matzo balls’ delicate, rich flavor here is the schmaltz, known as rendered chicken fat.
Get the recipe here
Sweet Latkes with Brown Sugar Syrup
Prepare to swoon. These latkes are drizzled with brown-sugar syrup and sprinkled with cayenne candied pecans. The candied nuts have a touch of heat, and the syrup brings out the spices in the latkes.
(scroll to keep reading)
Round Challah Cupcakes
Braiding the challah is half of the fun here, especially if you’re cooking with kids. If you want to skip it, though, the challah cupcakes will still be beautiful and tasty.
Braised Hanukkah Brisket
For a more flavorful dish, look for brisket meat with lots of marbling.
Potato Kugel
Don’t mess with perfection, says this recipe’s creator. Her version spotlights the perfection of potatoes.
Get the recipe here
Related: Get Lit with These 25 Bright DIY Hanukkah Candle & Menorah Ideas Seen on Instagram
Easiest Sufganiyot
Store-bought dough helps make this recipe a breeze.
Whole-Wheat Challah
This dough has three risings. After any rising, you can refrigerate the dough for up to three days. That helps the bread develop amazing flavor.
Get the recipe here
Beef and Noodles
Make this if you don’t want to put the time and effort into brisket. It’s hearty and warm, especially on a chilly winter night.
Get the recipe here
Easy Air Fryer Latkes
These latkes are made with a traditional blend of Russet potatoes, onions and egg, then cooked to golden-brown perfection in your air fryer.
Fennel and Chickpea Salad
Make this recipe ahead for your Hanukkah meal. It’s tossed in a citrus dressing and topped with parmesan.
Get the recipe here
Cauliflower Latkes
Note that you may need to tweak the number of eggs you use based on your cauliflower’s size.
Get the recipe here
Related: What’s the Secret to Perfectly Crispy Latkes?
Instant Pot Applesauce
Spoon this applesauce over your potato latkes or dollop some on the side of the plate for dipping.
Noodle Kugel with Caramelized Onions and Brown Butter
Dress up egg noodles with sage and thyme as well as caramelized onions in a nutty brown butter sauce.
Get the recipe here
Oven-Fried Chicken and Roasted Veggies
Hanukkah may be all about the oil, but that doesn’t mean you have to deep fry every dish.
Almond Flour Gelt Cookies
Kids will love helping you make this dessert.
Get the recipe here
Beef Brisket
This brisket is partially cooked, then it’s taken out of the oven and sliced, before being put back in the oven to finish cooking. That creates a juicy, flavorful and tender meat.
Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
Tip: Choose a quality light olive oil. That way the oil’s flavor won’t overpower the mashed potatoes.
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Carrots
Make this dish now and all year long. It’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters, plus it’s gluten-free.
Related: Best Hanukkah Songs
Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic, Lemon and Parsley
Cauliflower gets transformed when it’s roasted.
Slow Cooker Applesauce
Get a large pot of applesauce here, without the hassle of having to mash the apples.
Get the recipe here
Matzo Ball Soup
Enjoy this soup now or any time of year. It tastes like a hug from grandma.
Challah Fritters with Sweet Tahini Sauce
Take advantage of your day-old stale challah to make these fritters. The recipe makes about 40 fritters, but also halves well.
Fried Lotus Truffles
Everything is better with cookie butter. See if you can stop after eating just one.
Carrot Salad With Apple and Pomegranate
Enjoy this playful take on a classic carrot salad.
Related: DIY Menorahs to Make
Hazelnut Gelt Cookies
Fun sprinkles add the perfect extra touch to these cookies.
Jewish Bowtie Cookies
The trick for fabulous kichels is rolling the dough as thin as possible. It takes some time and patience, but the result is crispy, puffy and light cookies with a sprinkle of sifted Confectioners’ sugar.
Israeli Honey Cookies
Feed these to a crowd and they’re sure to disappear.
Get the recipe here
Next: The Meaning of Hanukkah
