21 Favorite Hanukkah Recipes

By Jenn Segal

Hanukkah is one of my favorite holidays to cook for, with a table full of comforting dishes and plenty of tradition. Of course, fried foods are part of the celebration, honoring the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days—so latkes and sufganiyot are always welcome. You’ll also find favorites like matzo ball soup, brisket, and challah, perfect for gathering family and friends around the table. Happy Hanukkah!

Classic Brisket with Onions

This beef brisket is cooked on top of a massive heap of onions, which slowly caramelize and make a flavorful French onion soup-like gravy.
Crispy Latkes

Delicious latkes that can be made on the stovetop or in the oven — it’s your choice!
Sufganiyot (Israeli Donuts)

A cross between a beignet and a jelly donut, sufganiyot are pillowy donuts that are eaten in Israel and around the world during Hanukah.
Grandma Annie’s Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread

Mandel bread is a traditional twice-baked Jewish cookie similar to biscotti.
Challah

With its rich, slightly sweet flavor, shiny golden crust, and pillowy interior, challah isn’t just for the Jewish holidays — it appeals to everyone, any time!
Applesauce

This baked homemade applesauce is rich, tart and sweet — almost like apple pie filling — and a world apart from store-bought.
Curried Sweet Potato Pancakes

Spiced with a blend of curry, cumin, ginger and cayenne pepper, these sweet potato pancakes are a delicious alternative to the usual latkes.
Sweet & Spicy Roast Chicken with Carrots, Dates & Pistachios

This sheet-pan roast chicken dinner is the perfect no-fuss dish — everything can be prepared and assembled a day in advance, so all that’s left to do at dinnertime is pop it in the oven.
Matzo Ball Soup

Making chicken soup is a bit of a “potschke,” as my mother would say, but it’s not hard — you pretty much throw everything into a pot and forget it. And these matzo balls are made from a mix!
Slow-Roasted Salmon with French Herb Salsa

This slow-roasted salmon with an elegant fresh herb salsa is wonderful at room temperature, making it perfect for a holiday brunch or buffet.
Braised Short Ribs

Similar in taste to beef bourguignon, these braised short ribs make a cozy yet elegant dish.
Powdered Donut Cake

Heavy on the butter and nutmeg, this cake has all the flavors of your favorite cake donut in a convenient square shape.
Roast Chicken with Herb Butter

From Laurie David’s book, The Family Dinner, this roast chicken is a great dish for creating cozy family moments around the table.
Chocolate Rugelach

A much-loved Jewish holiday treat, chocolate rugelach are miniature pastries posing as cookies.
Moroccan-Style Brisket with Dried Fruit & Capers

This Moroccan-style brisket is so abundant and impressive looking, you can keep the sides super simple.
Rugelach

Delicious to eat and fun to make, rugelach are miniature crescent-rolled pastries with a sweet filling.
Chocolate Babka

Chocolate and Nutella-swirled babka makes a crave-worthy treat any time of day.
Apple Cider Donut Cake

When orchard-fresh cider meets donuts in a cake, you get the coziest apple cider donut cake.
Chicken Marbella

One of the most popular dishes from the Silver Palate Cookbook, Chicken Marbella has been a family favorite for decades. Loved it back then; still love it now!
Smoked Salmon Crisps

Bring a touch of fancy to your next party with these smoked salmon crisps—a crunchy, creamy, and oh-so-elegant twist on the classic bagels, lox, and cream cheese!
Sweet Noodle Kugel

Celebrate the Jewish holidays with sweet noodle kugel—a comforting casserole of tender egg noodles, creamy custard, and a crunchy cinnamon-streusel topping. It’s sure to become a family favorite!