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.

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.

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

This is an easy recipe to make with your favorite frosting.Get the recipe here.

Challah Donuts

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

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

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

Carrots add incredible flavor to this traditional Hanukkah favorite.Get the recipe here

Pumpkin Chocolate Hazelnut Rugelach

This recipe combines pumpkin and chocolate for flavors that complement one another.Get the recipe here

Noodle Kugel

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

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

Rose’s Pure Potato Latkes

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

Classic latkes get a twist with parsnips and golden beets. Get the recipe here

Apple and Honey Latkes

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

Give your latkes some kick with some curry powder. Get the recipe here.

Harissa and Goat Cheese Rugelach

If you’re a fan of rugelach, try this fresh twist on the cookie.Get the recipe here

Spicy Pizza Rugelach

This savory rugelach, also from Sarna, pairs the flavors of pizza with a traditional Jewish pastry. Get the recipe here

Homestyle Onion Soup Brisket

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

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

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

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

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

It’s hard to resist any salad made with pears, especially at a holiday meal. Get the recipe here

Apple Kugel

Apples are the star of the show in this holiday dish. Get the recipe here

Crock Pot Roasted Chicken

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

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.Get the recipe here

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.Get the recipe here

Braised Hanukkah Brisket

For a more flavorful dish, look for brisket meat with lots of marbling.Get the recipe here

Potato Kugel

Don’t mess with perfection, says this recipe’s creator. Her version spotlights the perfection of potatoes.Get the recipe here

Easiest Sufganiyot

Store-bought dough helps make this recipe a breeze. Get the recipe here

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.  Get the recipe here

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

Instant Pot Applesauce

Spoon this applesauce over your potato latkes or dollop some on the side of the plate for dipping.Get the recipe here

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. Get the recipe here

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. Get the recipe here

Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes

Tip: Choose a quality light olive oil. That way the oil’s flavor won’t overpower the mashed potatoes.Get the recipe here

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. Get the recipe here

Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic, Lemon and Parsley

Cauliflower gets transformed when it’s roasted.Get the recipe here

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. Get the recipe here

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.Get the recipe here

Fried Lotus Truffles

Everything is better with cookie butter. See if you can stop after eating just one. Get the recipe here

Carrot Salad With Apple and Pomegranate

Enjoy this playful take on a classic carrot salad.Get the recipe here

Hazelnut Gelt Cookies

Fun sprinkles add the perfect extra touch to these cookies.Get the recipe here.

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. Get the recipe here

Israeli Honey Cookies

Feed these to a crowd and they’re sure to disappear.Get the recipe here Next: The Meaning of Hanukkah

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