71 Hanukkah Recipes for This Year’s Celebration

Potato Latkes

These potato latkes are one of the most traditional Hanukkah foods. For the ultimate crispiness, our Test Kitchen recommends squeezing out all the liquid from the grated veggies before you fry them up. (Here’s how to make latkes step by step.)

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While you’re at it, take a look at these Hanukkah decorations, too.

Chocolate-Stuffed Dreidel Cookies

These dreidel cookies are sure to spread some smiles this holiday season. Your friends and family will delight in the surprise chocolate filling inside. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Braised Hanukkah Brisket

My mother, Enid, always used the most marbled cut of brisket she could find to make this recipe so she’d get the most flavor. When she added carrots to the pan, she threw in some potatoes, too. —Ellen Ruzinsky, Yorktown Heights, NY

Here’s our step by step guide for how to make Jewish brisket.

Sufganiyot

Deep-fried in oil, sufganiyot are a traditional treat that Jews eat to help remember the miracle of Hanukkah. They’re believed to have first come from Spain and adapted from a similar treat, the sopaipilla. Others say the sopaipilla was borrowed from the Jews. (Try these other Hanukkah desserts.)

Homemade Gelt

Giving chocolate coins to children, and sometimes teachers, for Hanukkah is a long-standing tradition. This homemade gelt recipe uses a miniature muffin pan to mold the coins into shape. The sliced almonds add a nice crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Noodle Kugel

I make this traditional dish along with other Jewish specialties for an annual Hanukkah/Christmas party with our friends. -Lauren Kargen, Williamsville, New York

Slow-Cooked Applesauce

This sweet and chunky applesauce is a perfect accompaniment to Hanukkah latkes—unless you prefer sour cream, of course! Since it’s prepared in the slow cooker, you can fix it and forget it, which is especially helpful if you’re hosting a Hanukkah party.

Potato Latke Funnel Cakes

This savory funnel cake incorporates mashed potatoes and ranch seasoning into the dough. It’s delicious. Just try it and you’ll see! —Chanie Apfelbaum, Brooklyn, New York. Learn more about Chanie’s favorite Hanukkah traditions and where she finds inspiration for her modern Jewish desserts.

These KFC funnel cake fries are somewhat similar to these scrumptious potato latke funnel cakes.

Hanukkah Cookies

Cream cheese adds richness to these holiday cutout cookies. Decorate them with royal icing or your favorite buttercream frosting and toppings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our other Hanukkah desserts!

Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

Although it’s more commonly associated with the Jewish holiday of Passover, there’s no reason why you can’t eat matzo ball soup on Hanukkah. The key to this chicken matzo ball soup recipe is slow-cooking it and using boxed matzo ball mix, which makes fluffy matzo balls every time.

Tzimmes

I found this tzimmes recipe a long time ago. It has become our traditional side dish for every holiday feast and is a favorite of young and old alike. It also complements chicken or turkey quite well. —Cheri Bragg, Viola, Delaware

Cheese & Red Pepper Latkes

These zesty latkes combine three cheeses with a handful of garlic and a colorful burst of red peppers. —Christine Montalvo, Windsor Heights, Iowa

Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot Cookies

Mandelbrot in Yiddish literally means “almond bread.” The twice-baked cookie made with oil and almonds dates back to 19th century Eastern Europe. There are many variations made of different dried fruits and nuts. My chocolate chip version is more modern-American. —Kimberly Scott, Kosciusko, Mississippi

Honey Challah

This challah recipe is perfect for the night of Hanukkah that falls on Shabbat. Leftover slices work well in bread pudding or for challah French toast. —Jennifer Newfield, Los Angeles, California

Salmon with Brown Sugar Glaze

I was not a salmon lover until I tried this recipe. Now it is one of my favorite dishes to serve friends. —Rachel Garcia, Arlington, Virginia

Honey Garlic Green Beans

Green beans are a reliable standby, but they can seem ordinary on their own. Just a couple of extra ingredients give them a sweet and salty attitude. This is definitely my family's favorite way to enjoy them. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

Rugelach

The crisp texture of these crescent-shaped cookies makes them a terrific treat to serve alongside a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee. (Try these other Hanukkah rugelach recipes, too!)

Roasted Chicken

This tender chicken is a real time-saver on a busy weekend. A simple blend of seasonings makes it a snap to prepare, and it smells heavenly as it roasts. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington

Feta-Stuffed Kibbeh with Harissa

There are countless versions of kibbeh recipes throughout the Middle East. This is our adaptation of this delicious dish. You can even substitute ground beef for the lamb. —Chris Bugher, Fairview, North Carolina

Cauliflower Dill Kugel

I enjoy cauliflower and kugel, so it made sense to combine the two into one special dish. The ricotta cheese adds a distinctive creaminess and lightness. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Root Vegetable Pot Roast

During the hectic holiday season, I make this roast a lot. We’ve scarfed it down before and after shopping and while wrapping presents. Root vegetables and roast beef make everyone feel cozy and calm. —Pat Dazis, Charlotte, North Carolina

Israeli Malabi with Pomegranate Syrup

Malabi is a very famous, easy sweet milk pudding from Israel. For this recipe I learned from a friend, you can use rose syrup instead of pomegranate syrup. —Kanwaljeet Chhabra, Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Knish

Knish is a classic Jewish comfort food. Sometimes I make tiny appetizer ones, which are a little more like a roll, and I seam on the top. —Marlena Spieler, Waterlooville, England

Roasted Herb & Lemon Cauliflower

A standout cauliflower side is easy to prepare with just a few ingredients. Crushed red pepper flakes add a touch of heat. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin

Chocolate Babka

I love this chocolate babka. It’s a rewarding recipe for taking the next step in your bread baking. Even if it’s slightly imperfect going into the oven, it turns out gorgeous. Look at those swirls! —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

Winter Beet Salad

To save a little time on this sweet and savory beet salad, we recommend using packaged salad greens in this original recipe. The simple dressing is easy to assemble. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Make-Ahead Blintz Casserole

Blintzes are thin pancakes filled with cheese or fruits. I created an easy casserole version with cheese filling and topped it with apples. —Ann Hillmeyer, Sandia Park, New Mexico

Parsnip Latkes with Lox and Horseradish Creme

A horseradish-flavored creme fraiche brings zip to these crispy homemade latkes, which get a touch of sweetness from the parsnips. Add fresh dill sprigs for a garnish. —Todd Schmeling, Gurnee, Illinois

Couscous Meatball Soup

This soup will warm you up and takes just 25 minutes of prep time, making it a perfect weeknight meal. —Jonathan Pace, San Francisco, California

Pistachio-Cranberry Rugelach

Traditional rugelach gets dressed up for the holiday with pistachios, cranberries, and snow-white icing. Rich but not too sweet! — Deborah Hinojosa, Saratoga, California

Slow-Cooker Marinated Mushrooms

Here's a healthy and delicious addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, balsamic vinegar and red wine are terrific on their own or alongside a tenderloin roast. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California

Kasha Varnishkes

This is one of the great Jewish comfort foods. It’s easy to put together, and leftovers make a surprisingly delicious breakfast. Find kasha with other grains or in the kosher foods section. —Joanne Weintraub, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake

Here’s a simple cake that’s rich, elegant and over-the-top chocolaty. For finishing touches, add powdered sugar, cocoa or liqueur-flavored whipped cream. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries

There’s nothing to this recipe—the preparation and cooking times are so quick. I sprinkle in a few dried cranberries, but you can let your imagination take over. Add a handful of raisins or walnuts at the end, or even sliced oranges. If your Brussels sprouts are large, cut them in half. —Ellen Ruzinsky, Yorktown Heights, New York

Apricot Raisin Rugelach

Rugelach is a classic addition to holiday trays. The flaky, buttery pastry slices encase a spiced fruit and walnut filling. —Laurie Klett, Hamilton, Michigan

Rosemary Root Vegetables

This heartwarming side dish is sure to get rave reviews! Although the ingredient list may look long, you'll soon see that this colorful fall medley is a snap to prepare. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Vanilla & Cinnamon-Kissed Apple Latkes

Latkes are crispy fried pancakes, often made with potatoes. But this sweet version with apples, orange juice, cinnamon and vanilla falls in the dessert realm. —Candy McMenamin, Lexington, South Carolina

Israeli Pepper Tomato Salad

“This Israeli salad, which is traditionally eaten at breakfast, lends itself to endless variety…you can add foods like olives, beets or potatoes,” says Sandy Long of Lees Summit, Missouri

Molly’s Sweet and Spicy Tzimmes Cake

My husband and I are always on the lookout for new ways to incorporate Jewish traditions into our interfaith home. Rich with apples, carrots and sweet potato, this sweet and spicy cake is perfect for Rosh Hashanah or even Hanukkah. —Molly Haendler, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sauerkraut Latkes

Really? Sauerkraut in potato pancakes? Oh, yes. Firm, sweet apples mellow the tang so very nicely. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Chocolate-Covered Peanut Butter & Pretzel Truffles

Sweet chocolate, creamy peanut butter and salty pretzels create a to-die-for truffle. It’s a little bite of decadence and a special indulgence for the holiday season.—Ashley Wisniewski, Champaign, Illinois

Pan-Seared Cod

Cod has a soft, buttery appeal that goes with cilantro, onions and crunchy pine nuts. This pan-seared cod is the easiest preparation I’ve found. —Lucy Lu Wang, Seattle, Washington

Glazed Spatchcocked Chicken

A few pantry items, such as mustard and preserves, inspired this recipe. And since then it has been the successful centerpiece for both small weeknight meals and big parties. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Lemony Walnut-Raisin Galette

This flaky, buttery pastry dessert has a filling of fruit, walnuts, coconut and cinnamon. There's a lot to love! For even more appeal, dollop sweetened whipped cream on top of each serving. —Ellen Kozak, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hungarian Short Ribs

This is a special meal in our house—as soon as I get ribs, I know which dish my family will ask me to make. My husband and I have three children, so I've learned to be a versatile cook! —Joanne ShewChuk, St. Benedict, Saskatchewan

Country Potato Pancakes

Potato pancakes, or latkes, are really versatile. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they can be a side dish for just about any meal or the main course for a light meal. We have them often at our house. —Lydia Robotewskyj, Franklin, Wisconsin

Chunky Apple-Cinnamon Cake

This is a nice change from apple pie. It's tasty and worthy of a special occasion—plus, it’s very easy to make. —Ellen Ruzinsky, Yorktown Heights, New York

Lemon Couscous with Broccoli

I combined two recipes to create this side with broccoli and pasta. The splash of lemon adds nice flavor. Instead of toasted almonds, you could also sprinkle servings with grated Parmesan cheese. —Beth Dauenhauer, Pueblo, Colorado

Potato Kugel

The secret to keeping your potatoes their whitest in your potato kugel is to switch back and forth when grating the potatoes and onion in your food processor or box grater. —Ellen Ruzinsky, Yorktown Heights, New York

Pastrami Roll-Ups

For a book club event, I created pastrami roll-ups with cream cheese and a pickle. Those tasty bites quickly pulled a disappearing act. —Merritt Heinrich, Oswego, Illinois

Lebkuchen

It's tradition for my family to make these German treats together. The recipe came from my great-grandmother's cookbook, and judging from the amount of requests I get, it has certainly stood the test of time. —Esther Kempker, Jefferson City, Missouri

Lemon-Roasted Chicken with Olive Couscous

If you can find preserved lemons, use them instead of the plain lemons for an even more authentic flavor in this North African-inspired recipe. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Spiced Garlic Carrots

This classic Moroccan side dish is served as often as possible, hot or as a cold salad, in most Sephardic Jewish homes. The natural sweetness of the carrots tempers the garlic and balances the sizzle of the pepper flakes. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Cranberry Persimmon Cookies

During the holidays, I bake double batch after double batch of these moist drop cookies. Dotted with dried cranberries and pecans, the cake-like treats never last long. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California

Apple-Walnut Cake with Orange Glaze

I tinkered with a plain apple cake recipe to create this moist, delicious winner. The result: old-fashioned goodness with a heavenly aroma! This cake is the perfect fall treat or holiday dessert, but it’s also great as a special breakfast or brunch item. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

Cranberry Appetizer Meatballs

For a memorable meatball party snack with a tangy non-traditional sauce, I suggest this recipe. The meatballs are mouthwatering.—Jim Ulberg, Elk Rapids, Michigan

Cranberry Rugelach

These traditional Polish treats will keep for a long time in an airtight container. One year, I sent a batch to my sister, but the box got lost. She received it 12 days later and reported that the cookies were worth the wait! —Jean Doxon, Omaha, Nebraska

Green Beans with Shallots

A package of frozen green beans makes these “dill-icious” green beans a fast and tasty accompaniment to almost any main course. —Linda Rabbit, Charles City, Iowa

Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad

If you want something new to try for your Thanksgiving menu, toss this salad together. Fresh spinach leaves are tossed with toasted almonds and dried cranberries and drizzled with poppy seed dressing. It's likely to become a holiday tradition at your house, too. —Michelle Krzmarzick Torrance, California

Berry-Filled Doughnuts

Four ingredients are all you'll need for this sure-bet breakfast treat. Friends and family will never guess that refrigerated buttermilk biscuits are the base for these golden, jelly-filled doughnuts. —Ginny Watson, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Latkes with Lox

Lox, a salty smoked salmon, is a year-round delicacy. This recipe, inspired by one from the Jewish Journal, uses lox as a topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Roasted Eggplant Spread

Black pepper and garlic perk up this out-of-the-ordinary spread that hits the spot on a crisp cracker or toasted bread slice. —Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania.

Colorful Couscous

We love it when side dishes pop with color, like the bright pepper accents you'll see in this light and fluffy couscous. It's a scrumptious and welcome switch from baked potatoes or rice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Marinated Mushrooms & Artichokes

I marinate mushrooms and artichokes in fresh tarragon, thyme and seasonings so they turn out tart, tangy and irresistible. —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida

Apple Cinnamon Cake

This apple cinnamon cake is equally good for breakfast or dessert, so be sure to not eat all of it after dinner! Easy to make, it's super moist on the inside and has a crispy, cinnamon-rich crunch on the outside. —Marideane Maxwell, Albany, Georgia

Baked Balsamic Chicken

As far as roast chicken ideas go, this baked balsamic chicken recipe is one of our favorites. When the aroma from this dish fills your house, your family will think you spent all day cooking. But this elegant Sunday-special roast chicken, flavored with rosemary, wine and balsamic vinegar, is surprisingly simple to make. —Tracy Tylkowski, Omaha, Nebraska

Now that you know some of our favorite Hanukkah recipes, you’re ready to light the menorah! Just make sure you know how to clean a metal menorah for a smooth lighting process.