29 Chanukah Recipes You Can Make Last Minute

There’s something about Chanukah cooking that always seems time-consuming. Whether frying donuts, grating potatoes, or trying out a fun new idea for our kids that’s a bit more patchke than we’d like.

Since we’re well into Chanukah, we wanted to take this time to drop in and remind you that delicious and festive food for Chanukah does not have to be difficult or stressful!

Whether you’re looking for more weekday meals or Chanukah party foods that don’t take much time to prepare, we’ve got some of our favorites below.

We hope you enjoy and use the rest of the holiday to relax and enjoy the time with loved ones.

Mexican Hot Chocolate by Esty Wolbe
Some of the best memories we make over Chanukah happen in our own homes, and Esty is back to help you make some of those memories extra delicious! This Mexican hot chocolate recipe is flavorful and rich and takes minutes to prepare. Enjoy this rich treat alone or accompanied by some hot Haddar churros.
2-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Truffles by Batsheva Kanter
Chocolate Cream Dessert Board by The Peppermill
Anyone can create this fun and casual dessert!
Hot Chocolate Pie by Batsheva Kanter
This is obviously not HOT chocolate, but here you’ve got all the same flavors in an ice cream pie.
Taco Cheddar Salad by Sima Kazarnovsky
Everyone and their mother has had a version of taco salad at some point. Making it dairy with some cheddar (if timing allows), and using the mashed avocado and salsa as the actual dressing not only makes for easy prep, it also makes for a very satisfying and savory meal. Shout-out to Chavie P. for this great idea!
Nachos With Lime Tortilla Chips by Dorit Teichman
Set it up as a make-your-own nachos bar or serve it ready to eat; this classic and fun recipe is always a crowd-pleaser. The lime infuses the tortilla chips with a refreshing pop of flavor!
Battered Cheese Sticks by Esty Wolbe
Would it be Chanukah if we weren’t frying something cheesy? Enjoy these cornmeal-battered mozzarella sticks that are fried to perfection, and will become the star at your Chanukah table!
Chanukah Snack Board by Adina Schlass
Chanukah is always a time of lots of entertaining, and if you know me, you know I love a good snack board! It’s easy to throw together last minute, and there’s something for everyone. It pairs well with wine, so everyone’s happy.

When building a board, it’s all about variety, texture and, of course, color! You want lots of options for the guests to snack on.

Try out Cheesy Truffle Latke Bites, Waffle Latke Bites, or Potato Latke Cups on this board!
Latke Board by Faigy Murray
Latkes are one of the most traditional foods that I refuse to play around with! You won’t see me making cauliflower latkes or carrot muffin latkes. Latkes need to be potatoes!

But I will have loads of fun with all sorts of delicious toppings. I mean, who decided that latkes only go with applesauce? Here’s 6 creative combos I came up with to top my latkes the fun way!

Get more Chanukah recipes from our Chanukah recipe collection.
Jelly Doughnut Mug Cake by Sara and Yossi Goldstein
This recipe was featured on our Instagram Stories for Chanukah 2019 #beyondthelatke.
Penne in Cream Sauce by Batsheva Kass
This is an award-winning dish, originally created for a school function where countless people requested the recipe, and others have been asking for it ever since. It has a delicious combination of vegetables, paired with a perfectly creamy sauce. It’s sure to be a favorite! If you’re preparing this dish in advance and reheating, add some more cream so that it doesn’t dry out.
Personal Dessert Pizzas with Rylee by Nosh & Nibble
Rylee’s taking on a project that is fun—and tasty—for everyone at the Chanukah party! She’s showing us how to make personalized dessert pizzas. The topping possiblities are endless, but that won’t stop her from showing us some of her faves!
Mozzarella Stick “Caprese” Bites by Faigy Murray
I love, love caprese salad. It’s extremely easy and quick to put together and always impresses. I took it up a notch here by making them into skewer appetizers. The only time-consuming part is assembling them. Problem solved! I gave them to my ten-year-old daughter to do. She had so much fun putting them together.
Microwave Chinese Rice by Beth Hensperger
I can’t call this Chinese Fried Rice, since it is cooked in the microwave and not fried, but consider this a microcooked version of that popular Chinese restaurant menu item. You can take a mix-and-match approach to the ingredients, with an aromatic of some sort (onion, scallion, garlic, shallot), leftover cooked meat, and any vegetables that are quick-cooking and on hand. My favorites in this dish are napa cabbage, spinach, bok choy, mushrooms, celery, zucchini, green peas, water chestnuts, and carrots. Less is more here; choose just a few ingredients to mix with the rice, and all additions should be shredded, finely chopped, finely sliced, or julienned. Your seasoning can be as plain as a splash of soy sauce or fish sauce, or you can get a little fancier with bottled condiments such as toasted sesame oil, or hoisin sauce. You can cook the rice right before making this recipe, but I love to use leftover rice.
Thai Beef Noodles by Elizabeth Kurtz
This is a bit of a different recipe than the tradition Jewish flavors, but this Thai dish will really hit the spot and give you that tasty Thai dish using regular ingredients. This dish is really a full meal in one, so even though there may be a few extra steps, your finished product will be a full meal that looks like it came out of a restaurant, and tastes amazing!
Chinese Orzo Salad by Faigy Grossman
“Oh my goodness — I can’t stop eating this stuff!” Every once in a while, I try a dish that elicits this comment, and the recipe becomes a fast favorite. Well, this is one of them: crunchy, Chinese tasting, and oh, so satisfying! This salad goes great with anything you’re serving at your Yom Tov table, whether it’s fish, meat, or chicken. Sprinkle with black and white sesame seeds for an elegant finishing touch.
Mediterranean Fish Board by Adina Schlass
I love serving big fish boards for Sunday or Shabbat brunch! It offers such great variety and it’s perfect for serving a crowd, or even as a light appetizer or snack.
Skillet Lasagna with Mushrooms & Mozzarella by Nina Safar
While I love a hearty lasagna, I am far from thrilled at the thought of boiling noodles, having to assemble the dish, and then waiting for it to bake. When I think of a recipe, I like to strip it down to the essentials. What does it really need to taste good? Everything else is optional and depends on how much energy I have.

What I love about this recipe is that it has the familiar flavors of the classic, but without the fuss. I cooked my veggies, noodles, sauce and cheese all in one pot. No baking. No mess. This is the perfect weeknight dinner. Serve with a fresh garden salad and toasted garlic bread.
Pasta Alfredo Light by Jamie Geller
My favorite pasta sauces are Alfredo and vodka, I even like them on zucchini noodles. I find it hard to choose between them and have been known to order both at restaurants. Hey, sometimes a girl just has to help herself! This lighter version of the classic Alfredo goes down just as smoothly as the original.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad by Nechama Norman
On one balmy summer day, as the women at Camp Mogen Av were sitting outside with the kids, Nancy K. and I shared a shady spot in the yard. We had a lot of talking to do…we both worked as personal chefs and both lived in Israel and used to love to go shopping in the shuk. As we exchanged ideas, the concept for this recipe arose. I remember the ideas we discussed, and as soon as camp ended and I was back in my kitchen, I whipped this up. It takes me back to the shuk, with the vibrant colored vegetables and Mediterranean spices.
Lazy but Crispy Fish by Kim Kushner
I call this “lazy fish” because it’s the perfect recipe to make on a lazy day. You aren’t the only one who gets tired of cooking, trust me. This recipe has become a weekly staple in my household. Choose any thick-fleshed fish fillet you like, coat it with a simple crumb topping, and roast it for no more than several minutes. The golden crumbs include a mixture of cornflake crumbs, panko, lemon, and a hint of sun-dried tomato. This is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Serve it with a tossed salad and dinner is set. I love making this dish for a party because it doesn’t take long to prepare and everyone likes it. You can make the crumbs ahead of time and store them in the fridge, so they are set to go when you need them. Then pick up some fresh fish and you’re ready to roll.
Greek Chopped Salad with Noodles by Jamie Geller
I love a traditional Greek salad, but it is not filling enough on its own for a full meal, so I added noodles and now it’s lunch!!
Turkey Fried Rice by Sarah Lasry
Did you know that rice can be cooked in the oven in a small baking sheet? This is a lifesaver, because I am always overcooking my stovetop rice; who has time to babysit a boiling pot or schlep out the rice cooker? Turkey fried rice is my healthier alternative to the sloppy joes we regularly eat, and it’s super fast and easy to make it on the stovetop – but this time, if I was already making the rice in the oven, why not just throw everything on the same baking sheet?
Sheet Pan Tuscan Gnocchi and Vegetables by Ally Mawhirter
Did you know you don’t have to boil gnocchi? Roasting gnocchi in the oven gives them a deliciously crisp edge and a tantalizing golden-brown color. Sheet pan meals are a busy weeknight’s best friend, and Tuscanini Cauliflower Gnocchi pairs so well with fresh summer vegetables and lots of greens. Feel free to substitute your favorite vegetables but be sure to cut everything to a similar size so they cook evenly.
Sheet Pan Sticky Sesame Tofu by Ally Mawhirter
There’s something about Chinese takeout that always hits the spot, and if you can make it just as good at home that’s even better!

Tofu is one of those ingredients that’s perfect for a quick healthy meal. People tend to shy away from it, but if you know how to prepare and season it well it can be a great addition to your weeknight routine. Roasting it on a sheet pan makes crispy, flavorful tofu that soaks up the yummy sauce.
Sheet-Pan Stir-Fry by Miriam (Pascal) Cohen
Who doesn’t love a good stir-fry? Except for the part where you have to stir… and fry. It’s time-consuming and leaves you with too many dishes. I stumbled on this idea by mistake, and instantly knew I had a winner. All the benefits of a stir-fry… without having to stir or fry!
Tostada Salad Pizza by Dorit Teichman
Crispy pizza and crunchy salad rolled into one warm, satisfying, and hearty dish! These flavors are truly delicious together, it can easily become a new family favorite!
Pizza Bianca by Estee Kafra
Creamy Garlic Spaghetti by Chana Stern
I’m always looking for new ways to prepare pasta, and with this recipe I’ve come across a winner. The scrumptious taste makes it ideal for hosting, and the minimal effort needed makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner.