Yes, there’s a time, a place and a medical diagnosis for “healthy” Hanukkah dishes. And we recipes for baked latkes and a stunning, pillowy pull-apart sufganiyot cake, if that’s your thing. But, the best part of Hanukkah is fried food, and we Jews do it so well! So I’ve rounded up 31 fried Jewish recipes to celebrate the festive season.
It’s not all latkes and sufganiyot (though there are plenty on this list), but lesser-known fried Jewish delicacies like Iraqi zalabia (a delicate funnel cake) and Moroccan sfenj (easy donuts finished with honey and/or powdered sugar). Beyond Hanukkah-specific recipes are fried indulgences you may try to avoid the rest of the year, like schnitzel (plus a bonus potato chip-coated version!) and kichels.
So grab your frying pan, fill it with oil and celebrate the real miracle of Hanukkah: The food.
And be sure to rate any recipes you try! It really helps to grow our community and we love to hear from you.
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Zalabia
This Iraqi funnel cake is everything you need this Hanukkah.
Parsnip and Sweet Potato Latkes
Latkes come in all shapes and sizes.
The Easiest Jelly Donut Recipe Ever
Premade biscuit dough is your friend!
Sweet Potato Latkes with Maple Cream
Sweet, spiced, warming latkes.
Bimuelos de Kalavasa
Sephardic pumpkin fritters are the superior Hanukkah treat.
Andrew Zimmern’s Perfect Potato Latkes
Learn from the best.
Sfenj
Moroccan donuts are made with a simple dough, fried and covered in honey and/or powdered sugar.
Cranberry Challah Donuts
Sufganiyot made easy, with challah dough.
Potato Chip Schnitzel
Take schnitzel up a notch for the festive season.
Fried Gefilte Fish
You know it makes sense.
Sephardi Leek Patties
Iconic and delicious.
Kichels
These Jewish bow-tie cookies are fried and fabulous!
Gulab Jamun
These Indian sweet, rose water-scented fried balls of goodness are the perfect way to celebrate Hanukkah.
Lemon Ricotta Fritters
A delightful Italian spin on sufganiyot.
Cheese Latkes
Filled with gooey cheese — and tradition!
Beet and Sweet Potato Latkes
Not your boring potato latkes.
Chocolate Babka Donuts
Rich, chocolatey swirls baked into soft, pillowy donuts.
Vegan Beet Latkes
Before potatoes, latkes were made with a mix of root veg.
Bimuelos with Honey-Orange Drizzle
A wonderful Sephardic Hanukkah dessert.
Perfect Sufganiyot
Don’t be intimidated!
Grilled Cheese Latkes
Cheese was actually the OG Hanukkah food!
Pastrami Egg Rolls
Jewish Christmas meets Jewish deli.
Schnitzel: Israeli Cutlets
The perfect fried comfort food.
Apple-Potato Latkes Recipe with Tahini Silan Sauce
The best of every Jewish tradition.
Russian Apple Piroshki
These yeasted, fried Russian pastries are perfect for Hanukkah.
Za’atar Fried Chicken with Spicy Thyme Honey
This American classic gets an Israeli twist with plenty of za’atar and fresh thyme.
Fried Kugel
If a fried macaroni and cheese ball met a zeppoli and then converted to Judaism, their baby would taste like this.
Perfect Potato Latkes
You can’t go wrong!
Healthy Spinach Latkes
Eat your greens!
Coconut Latkes with Cranberry Applesauce and Cardamom Mascarpone
Upgrade your latkes with a little sugar and spice.
Brisket-Stuffed Papas Rellenas
Cuban tradition meets Hanukkah in these delightfully creamy bites.
