Food

Our 12 Best Hanukkah Recipes to Build the Ultimate Holiday Menu

Fire up the candles, and the stoves on this Festival of Lights

By SAVEUR Editors

Updated: December 7, 2017

Hanukkah may be called the Festival of Lights, but for us, it's also about an opportunity to fry our dinner: potato latkes (topped with some chopped liver, perhaps?), donuts, and even some Yiddish schnitzel for lunch. But yes, there's more than fried food to appreciate on this holy day, which is why we've also rounded up our favorite challah, kugel, and rugelach—traditional and otherwise. With our best Hanukkah recipes, we've got you covered for all eight days of the holiday.

Potato Jalapeño Latkes — These are classic latkes, grated potatoes bound with matzo meal and egg, but the simple addition of jalapeño adds a new kick to an old Jewish classic. Medina serves his jalapeno latkes with a tangy, cooling horseradish cream. Get the recipe for Potato Jalapeño Latkes »Matt Taylor-Gross

Latkes with Chopped Liver and Pickled Onions — Noah Bernamoff of Mile End Deli and Black Seed Bagels in New York City tops crispy latkes with chopped liver, fried duck eggs, and pickled onions. Get the recipe for Latkes with Chopped Liver and Pickled Onions »Marcus Nilsson

Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich — This sandwich is Mile End Deli's Eli Sussman's fun take on the fried chicken classic; the horseradish cream offsets the bitterness of the radicchio and the richness of the schnitzel nicely. Get the recipe for Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich with Horseradish Cream and Radicchio »Farideh Sadeghin

Rugelach — These airy pastries have a dainty elegance due to their flakey cream cheese dough and compact crescent shape. Get the recipe for Rugelach »Noah Fecks

Brisket and Potato Kugel — This hearty meat and potato casserole is perfect for a nontraditional Passover main. Get the recipe for Brisket and Potato Kugel »Matt Taylor-Gross

Nutmeg Doughnuts — Buttermilk gives these old-fashioned cake doughnuts their tangy appeal; a dusting of sugar and freshly grated nutmeg adds a spicy crunch. Get the recipe for Nutmeg Doughnuts »Todd Coleman

Sweet Noodle Kugel — Kugel—the creamy egg noodle casserole that's a staple of Jewish holiday cooking&dmash;gets a Midwestern topping of cornflakes in this Thanksgiving side dish. Get the recipe for Sweet Noodle Kugel »Ariana Lindquist

Challah — This eggy, yeasted bread is a welcome addition to any spread. Get the recipe for Challah »Landon Nordeman

Chinese Rugelach — Classic sweet rugelach get a Chinese twist with a filling of chestnuts, goji berries, and Chinese five-spice powder. Get the recipe for Chestnut and Goji Berry Rugelach »Matt Taylor-Gross

Jelly-Filled Donuts (Berliners) — If piping the jelly into these donuts proves challenging, use a paring knife to hollow out the side of the donut, making a cavity for the jelly. Get the recipe for Jelly-Filled Donuts (Berliners) »Todd Coleman

Apricot and Currant Chicken — The apricots and currants used in this dish add just the right amount of sweetness. Get the recipe for Apricot and Currant Chicken »Farideh Sadeghin

Crispy golden lakes with creamy mashed potato filling — A creamy mashed potato filling is coated in instant mashed potato flakes and potato starch before being pan-fried to a flawless golden crust. Get the recipe for Modernist Latkes »Helen Rosner

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