The food on Chanukah is almost always fried. Fried latkes, fried donuts, even mac and cheese gets formed into balls, coated with crumbs and is thrown into the fryer. 

For those that love all the crispy, crackling fried foods- we’re with you and can’t wait to dig in. 

But those of you who are looking for something lighter and healthier, or anticipate you’ll need a break from all the fried foods coming your way, we’ve got you covered. (We'll need a lighter break too!) 

We chose baked recipes for the best of the best Chanukah treats- latkes and donuts. Yep! You can enjoy these traditional treats without any of the frying. 

From Healthy Whole Wheat Donuts with Citrus and Chocolate Baked Donuts with Sprinkles, to Magical 3 Ingredient Latkes and Sweet Potatoes Latkes, we’re covering all the bases so you can enjoy the food everyone is eating without feeling left out.

Latkes:

 

1. Baked, No-Fry, Sweet Potato Latkes by Norene Gilletz

If you prefer to fry latkes instead of baking them, don’t add oil to the latke mixture as directed below. Use a non-stick skillet and fry latkes in a little oil, about 2 teaspoon sper batch. Drain on paper towels to absorb oil. One no-fry latke contains just 1 gram of fat, compared to 2.7 grams for the fried version! Enjoy!

2. Baked Zucchini Latkes (Gluten Free) by Brynie Greisman

These simple, gluten-free latkes are baked, not fried, and are made starch-free with zucchini and onion in place of the traditional potatoes.

3. Magical 3 Ingredient Baked Potato Latkes by Bat-El Gershowitz

I’m so happy to introduce to you this magical recipe that is not only so easy to make but is also much easier to digest. This latke combination has no flour at all, so it’s gluten-free! No eggs to bind, so it’s vegan! No oil for frying – it’s baked! Enjoy a healthier version of potato latkes that are so delicious and so very friendly for all eating types! If you are looking to have a big crowd, save time, energy and lots of extra unnecessary calories this holiday, this recipe is ideal! Leave all the frying behind and let the oven do all the work for you. Impress your family and friends with basic ingredients and be proud that everyone can enjoy harmless latkes on any given day of the year. This recipe was featured on our Instagram Stories for Chanukah 2019 #beyondthelatke.

4. Baked Cauliflower Latkes with Smoked Salmon by Naomi Nachman

These gluten-free baked cauliflower latkes are perfect for Chanukah or any time of year. Starting with pre-riced cauliflower makes these a snap to prepare.

5. Baked Cauliflower or Broccoli Latkes (Gluten Free) by Brynie Greisman

These simple, gluten-free latkes are baked, not fried, and are made starch-free with broccoli or cauliflower in place of the traditional potatoes.

6. Potato and Scallion Latkes with Pickled Applesauce by Paula Shoyer

Everyone loves potato latkes but no one likes the mess of frying them, or the guilt associated with eating them. These latkes are baked in the oven and easily won over my kids. You do need to watch them so they do not burn; they were done at different times in different ovens. The Pickled Applesauce is basically a tangy-spicy applesauce, which we also eat with schnitzel.

You can find more of Paula’s recipes in her cookbook, The Healthy Jewish Kitchen.

Donuts:

1. Healthy Whole Wheat Baked Doughnuts with Citrus Cream by Gideon Ben Ezra

With all the fabulous fried food of Chanukah, you may be craving something baked. Here’s a healthier version – baked, not fried in oil – made with whole wheat flour and filled with a delicious citrus cream.

If you want to save time, here’s an idea how to fill jelly donuts with a super easy method: One Step Jelly Donuts.

2. Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes (Egg-Free) by Magen David Yeshivah

Jelly Doughnut Cupcakes are a fun twist on the delicious Chanukah tradition of eating jelly doughnuts. The cupcakes are soft and moist even without eggs.

3. Baked Chocolate Donuts by Tamara Friedman

Whip these donuts up in a pinch using just a mixing bowl and spoon! These are moist, airy and full of chocolaty goodness! Ice them with this decadent icing to really take the flavor over the top. A perfect delicious alternative to frying donuts.

4. Blueberry Donuts by Janie Chazanoff

It’s been a while since we enjoyed a donut, hasn’t it? I made these with a blueberry glaze to celebrate the spring season. They’re a kid- and adult-friendly treat that’s good for breakfast or entertaining. And these are baked, not fried!

5. Vegan Apple Cinnamon Baked Donuts by Ruth Fox and Vicky Cohen

6. Apple Cider Donuts by Meg Resnikoff

Growing up in Connecticut, apple picking was a rite of passage. The orchard we used to go to had the most amazing apple cider donuts in their store. This is a healthy twist on theirs (which were fried).