Whether you like to end your Yom Kippur fast with a hot drink and something sweet at the kitchen counter or a sit-down, three-course meal with the extended family, that first post-fast bite should be absolutely delicious. (And if you aren’t fasting this year, you still deserve delicious food, because haven’t our people suffered enough?!)
Luckily, Jews have many, many edible customs from all over the world for breaking the Yom Kippur fast, and we’ve rounded up some of the best of them below. There’s bound to be something tasty and traditional (more on that later) to suit your preference.
What is a “traditional” break fast dish? Well, it depends on who you are and where you come from. Jews of Moroccan descent often turn to hearty Moroccan harira soup; Jews with Persian roots sip on refreshing faloodeh seeb. Many North American Jews, particularly Ashkenazim, go for blintzes or bagels (with lox, of course, both OG and vegan), but there are many unique, hyper-specific culinary customs inspired by local eating habits (see: #17). Most importantly, a “traditional” break fast dish should be whatever you like; you can serve bollo (see: #20) and bagels, sambusak and zimtsterne (see: #28).
To learn more about Yom Kippur break fast traditions from around the world, click here. Or, feast your eyes on the following 29 recipes, sure to make that first, dreamed-of bite even better than you’d imagined.
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The Best Whitefish Salad
A zesty take on an Ashkenazi staple, and a bagel essential.
Jerusalem Bagel
Much easier than a boiled bagel, transport yourself to the old city of Jerusalem with this sesame-coated carb.
Homemade Entenmann’s Raspberry Danish Twist
You’ll never go back to store-bought.
Sweet Noodle Kugel
The dairy kugel is a beloved Jewish-American comfort food for a reason.
Chickpea Sambusak
Straight from an Iraqi grandmother’s kitchen, these make a delicious vegan light meal after the fast.
Pletzl
This Ashkenazi flatbread topped with onions and poppy seeds is a strong alternative to the post-Yom Kippur bagel.
Mandelbrot
A classic Jewish almond bread recipe to take you back to your bubbe’s kitchen.
Bubliki
Try this sweeter, lighter bagel-alternative with your post-fast cup of tea.
Vegan Honey Cake
This sweet, traditional cake from Jewish actress Mayim Bialik has no eggs, no honey, but lots of flavor.
One Bowl Honey Cake
You can whip up this tender, moist cake days before the fast and it will still be delicious!
Coffee Cake
A traditional Ashkenazi coffee cake made with sour cream.
Mac and Cheese Noodle Kugel
Noodle kugel with a savory, cheesy, totally indulgent twist.
Vegetarian Mushroom Barley Soup
A meat-free masterpiece to feed your belly and soul. Serve with crusty bread and call it a day.
Classic Jewish Herring and Onions
If you insist of fish after your fast, why not make it yourself?
Pastrami Gravlax
Looks impressive, is surprisingly easy to make.
Cheese Blintzes
Classic comfort food.
The Best Everything Bagel Recipe
A baking project to impress your guests.
Vegan Lox
The humble carrot knows no bounds…
Blintz Souffle
An easy, classic Ashkenazi-Jewish-American comfort food.
Sephardic Orange Chiffon Cake
This iconic cake has been made for generations, traditionally eaten to break the Yom Kippur fast.
Egg Casserole
Southern cuisine meets Jewish traditions in this easy, cheesy egg casserole, which, for one family, is a Yom Kippur break fast non-negotiable.
Lox
Surprisingly easy to make at home, with only four ingredients and some patience!
Bollo
These sweet North African rolls stuffed with raisins and nuts are perfect for Yom Kippur break fast.
Cheese Sambusak
Avraham’s perfect cheese sambusak have made him a North London institution.
Syrian Cherry Meatballs
Meatballs braised in a sweet-and-sour cherry sauce for a simple take on Syrian kibbeh geraz.
Syrian Stuffed Zucchini with Dried Fruit
A light but hearty main to give you a boost after the fast.
Sopa de Huevos y Limon
A Balkan twist on the ultimate comfort food: chicken soup.
Moroccan Harira
This hearty North African soup made with tomatoes and legumes is a traditional break fast dish after Yom Kippur.
Moroccan-Style Mint Tea
Refreshing, comforting and best shared with loved ones.
T’Beet
This Iraqi Jewish staple is cooked at a very low temperature for many hours (typically overnight) until the chicken is falling off the bone and the spiced tomato rice is deeply infused with savory flavor.
Zimtsterne
These German star cookies are perfect for breaking your fast!
Chicken with Preserved Lemons and Olives
A delicious dish to revive and nourish.
Persian Faloodeh Seeb
The fruity, floral treat with apples and rosewater is somewhere between a beverage and a dessert, and the most refreshing way to break your fast.
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