21 Tasty Hanukkah Food Ideas For a Delicious 2024
Finding delicious Hanukkah food will make any gathering memorable for 8 nights of festivities. Whether you’re looking to add traditional meals to your Hanukkah food list or would like to create a simple dish for your loved ones, there are tons of kosher foods you can make for a special holiday menu.
If you're wondering, "Why is Hanukkah food fried?" — well, at least some of it — according to Reform Judaism, fried food is rooted in one of the miracles experienced by the Maccabees, a group of Jewish soldiers who fought against religious oppression in the second century BC. After the Maccabees regained control of the Temple in Jerusalem, they found a jar of oil that only had enough fuel to light their lamps for a day, but the oil lasted a week. Eating fried food on Hanukkah recognizes this miracle and celebrates the triumphant meaning of the holiday and is also the reason why the Jewish people light a Menorah — one of the most significant Hanukkah decorations.
While not all Hanukkah food is fried, many of the items on a Hanukkah food menu pay tribute to the practices and faith of the worldwide Jewish community.
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What Is a Good Hanukkah Menu?
Whether you’re looking to serve mouthwatering desserts or searching for the best finger food ideas for your appetizers, having the right selection will make for a memorable meal for your guests. There are many traditional Hanukkah food recipes you can prepare to honor the holiday, including classic potato latkes and soft challah bread. You can also prepare a simple Hanukkah food menu with ingredients that are affordable and easy to use.
So, what is a traditional food for Hanukkah? From savory beef brisket dishes to a classic matzo ball soup (delicious even outside of the Passover holiday), there are tons of meals everyone at your party will love. We’ve compiled the best Hanukkah food list you can serve to your loved ones this holiday season.
Traditional Hanukkah Food
1. Beef Brisket with Onions
Treat your guests to a plate of savory beef brisket accompanied with chopped carrots and onions for the most delicious Hanukkah food. Broil this dish in the oven and cover the meat with tomato paste. Your guests will love this tender, juicy and comforting meal this holiday season.
2. Challah
Not only is challah perfect for the best Hanukkah food, it’s also one of the best Thanksgiving food ideas to serve your hungry crew. This salty-sweet bread is a traditionally made each Friday night to start the Sabbath, but is also good at anytime. It pairs well with smoked gouda or a blue cheese sauce — as long as the cheese is not eaten with the meat, as this is not kosher!
3. Potato Latkes
What food is a symbol of Hanukkah? You’re bound to find potato latkes at any festive gathering. Whip up crispy potato latkes for the best Hanukkah food with your loved ones. Combine shredded russet potatoes, flour, egg, onion and salt to create this savory treat. Serve your latkes with a creamy dill sauce to round out the side dish.
4. Sufganiyot
Serve the beloved sufganiyot for the most delicious Hanukkah food. This classic Israeli food is a combination of a doughnut and a beignet. Deep fry the dessert and inject a sweet jelly or custard. Dust with fresh powdered sugar for a sweet treat everyone will love at your gathering.
5. Date and Walnut Rugelach
Bake traditional rugelach, also known as kipfel, for delicious Hanukkah food to serve this holiday season. Fill these crescent rolls with a spiced date and walnut filling. Then, drizzle a savory tahini glaze to round out this unforgettable pastry.
6. Doughnuts with Cardamom Syrup
Invite your guests to save room for dessert to enjoy these mouthwatering doughnuts. Dip fried doughnuts in cardamom-rose syrup and sprinkle with chopped almonds for a delicious treat to round out your meal. Your friends will love this as one of the best Hanukkah food recipes to serve on your menu every year.
7. Sweet Noodle Kugel
Prepare classic noodle kugel for delicious Hanukkah food at your party. Combine egg noodles, dried cherries, eggs, heavy cream and cottage cheese. Top the meal with chopped corn flakes and pecan halves for a crispy touch. This tasty snack can be served as a side dish or dessert.
8. Garlic Lemongrass Roast Chicken
Serve a tender and flavorful chicken for a scrumptious Hanukkah food entree. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of garlic, lemongrass, fish sauce, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Roast in the oven until you’re ready to serve.
9. Matzo Ball Soup
Everyone will love a warm bowl of matzo ball soup for the best Hanukkah food. Prepare matzo balls from scratch with matzo crackers, eggs, onions and seasonings. Add this delicious filling to chicken broth for a savory soup for the holidays.
10. Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon
Treat your guests to addictive glazed salmon for the most unforgettable Hanukkah food. Pan fry salmon filets with a mixture of garlic, water, soy sauce, sriracha, honey and lemon juice. Your guests will love this tender, sticky sweet meal for Hanukkah.
11. Cheese Blintz
Surprise your guests with homemade cheese blintz for the best Hanukkah food to serve for dessert. This thin, crepe-like treat is easy to prepare. Fill each piece with a cream cheese filling and top with a mouthwatering berry sauce or fresh fruit to round out the dish.
Easy Hanukkah Food
12. Latke Breakfast Hash
Save leftover latke for a breakfast hash for the best Christmas lunch ideas — if you're celebrating both holidays. This dish is a perfect way to reuse your leftover Hanukkah food. Simply add bell peppers, eggs, onions, cheese and smoked paprika for an unforgettable meal.
13. Roast Chicken
Prepare a roast chicken for the easiest Hanukkah food to serve your friends. Season the bird with kosher salt, pepper, garlic, lemon and fresh thyme. Then, roast the dish in the oven until the juices run clear. Serve this dish with roasted vegetables to elevate your menu.
14. Latke Toppings Board
Create a festive charcuterie board for the best ingredients to serve with your crispy latkes. Include sour cream and applesauce to accompany your delicious treat. You can also elevate this hors d'oeuvre with lox or a whitefish salad to add extra protein. Add cucumbers, sliced apples, tomatoes and olives to round out this holiday treat.
15. Potato Kugel
Whip up a tasty potato kugel for the best Hanukkah food. Kugel is essentially a baked pudding including potatoes or noodles. Combine this dish with thinly sliced shallots, grated onion, potato starch, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
16. Sugar Cookie Dreidels
Wow your friends with delicious sugar cookie dreidels for dessert. Bake sugar cookies in the shape of dreidels — four-sided spinning tops that are played during Hanukkah. Fill the inside with mini m&ms and create a creamy icing from scratch. Give the leftovers as Hanukkah gifts to your friends as a fun way to remember your festive gathering.
17. Vegetarian Matzo Ball Soup
Treat your crew to a mouthwatering vegetarian matzo ball soup that is easy to prepare for the best Hanukkah food. Replace the traditional chicken stock with vegetarian broth for a warm dish for the holidays. You can also make this dish gluten free by incorporating a gluten free matzo meal while creating your matzo balls.
18. Chocolate Babka
Treat your guests to a classic Hanukkah food for dessert this holiday season. Prepare the dough and allow it to rise in the fridge for 8 hours. Then, create a decadent chocolate filling with cocoa powder and powdered sugar. Roll the dough into long pieces, then twist them to combine into a unique bread. Let the dough rise for another 40 minutes before baking it in the oven. Your guests will love ending your delicious Hanukkah meal with a traditional Jewish dessert.
19. Instant Pot Sweet and Spicy Brisket
Make one of the easiest Hanukkah food meals right in your instant pot. Cut beef brisket into slices and cook it in your pot cooker. Then, remove the beef and cook onion, ginger and garlic separately in the instant pot. Stir in honey, chilis, gochujang (Korean red chili paste), vinegar and soy sauce. Add the brisket back into the pot to simmer in the juices.
20. Grapefruit and Goat Cheese Fennel Salad
Whip up a refreshing Hanukkah food to serve your guests this holiday. Toss a colorful salad with fresh fennel, sliced grapefruit, olives, goat cheese and pine nuts. Create your own dressing combining olive oil, lemon juice, shallots, oregano and seasonings. Your guests will be begging for seconds of this delicious dish.
21. One-Pan Tuna Pasta
Impress your friends with an unforgettable tuna pasta for the best Hanukkah food. This meal is quick and easy to make for a busy holiday schedule. Create your paste by adding sun-dried tomatoes, capers, garlic, olive oil and anchovies. Then, whisk in your cooked pasta and tuna pieces for a savory side dish or main meal. If you don’t have a food processor, you can also cut each ingredient into smaller pieces and carefully smash with a knife to create a paste.
From crafting an irresistible chocolate babka for dessert to roasting a garlic lemongrass chicken, there are tons of delicious Hanukkah food you can add to your holiday menu this year. Whether you’re looking to serve a traditional dish or you’d like to create easy Hanukkah food recipes, these dishes are an excellent way to recognize the holiday and satisfy your guests appetite for a fun and memorable Hanukkah this year.
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