It’s no secret that we have many amazing Chanukah recipes here on Kosher.com. From Low Sugar Recipes and Last Minute Chanukah Recipes to Chanukah Recipes That Are Baked, Not Fried and Healthier Chanukah Recipes. But sometimes we’re just looking for the basics. A classic sufganiya, traditional latke, or a great chicken popper recipe for a crowd.

That’s what this roundup is all about. The classic, the traditional, and the reliable Chanukah recipes you’ll love! Enjoy!

Donuts:

1. Extra Easy Donuts for Chanukah (Sufganiyot) from the Nitra Cookbook

Chanuka is not Chanuka without donuts fried in oil. But no one wants to spend lots of time on a complicated donut recipe when they would rather be spending time with their families, watching the menorah. This donut recipe is classic, so easy to make (they only need to rise for 45 minutes!) and come out looking perfect every time.

2. Cream Cheese Doughnuts with Glaze by Michal Frischman

When Chanie explained her vision for a cream cheese dough and glaze, I’ll admit I was skeptical. But as my trusty taste-tester neighbors can attest, it worked out great! Make sure to fry them fresh, because eating them the next day is just not the same.

3. One Step Jelly Filled Donuts: How To Make Donuts the Easy Way from the Nitra Cookbook

How to make donuts the easy way! Here is an incredibly easy method to fill a donut, minus the mess! Be sure to just slightly mark the first circle. If you cut down all the way, the sides of the donuts won’t have a good seal and will separate when frying. Feel free to use other fillings besides for apricot jam, such as chocolate, caramel, or dulce de leche. Top with either a frosting, or sprinkle on the classic: confectioner’s sugar. Happy Hanukkah!

4. Chocolate-Glazed Cream Doughnuts by Marcy Goldman

These are as good as they sound. Use the yeasted dough from the Sufganiyot and enjoy this delicious dairy glaze drizzled over them.

Latkes:

5. Scallion-Potato Latkes by Chanie Nayman

Sautéed onions are a favorite in my house. One Friday, after I slid the potato kugel into the oven, I wondered why I’d never tried putting sautéed onions in my kugel as opposed to regular fresh onions. Well, aren’t all latkes mini potato kugels, fried? The scallions and soy sauce give these latkes a fresh new flavor that we all really enjoyed.

6. Full ‘N Free Real-Deal Latkes by Rorie Weisberg

Last Chanukah I shared some latke alternatives. But sometimes you just want the real thing! Here’s how to make real-deal potato latkes, just better. This recipe features healthier oils and Yukon gold potatoes, which are lower glycemic than the standard Idaho variety.

7. Best Potato Latkes by Amelia Saltsman

These latkes are thin, crisp, and pan-fried, not deep-fried. My family’s traditional recipe is inspired by Sara Kasdan’s, from her hilarious 1956 cookbook Love and Knishes, which my mother received as a gift nearly sixty years ago. You need a starchy potato for good latkes; the starch helps bind the pancake together. Sierra Gold (a cross between a Yukon Gold and a russet), German Butterball, Kennebec, and King Edward are all wonderful here. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled, and it works well with other wintry vegetables.

8. 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.  

9. Sushi Salad-Topped Latkes by Faigy Murray

I absolutely love sushi salad, even more so than traditional rolled sushi. I love how the flavors come together. Mixing it together with a latke gives you the best of both worlds!

10. Sweet Cheese Latkes by Batsheva Kanter

These sweet cheese latkes are perfect for making ahead of time. Simply freeze and then reheat in the oven to crisp.

Meat:

11. Crispy Beef Hot Poppers by Michal Frischman

There’s nothing not to like here. Crispy beef is great because it’s easy to prep ahead and fries in minutes. It’s best fried fresh, but if you’re short on time, fry ahead and keep it separate from the sauce, layered with paper towels. When ready to serve, warm the meat lightly in the oven and toss with heated sauce.

12. Family-Favorite Chicken Nuggets with Sweet-and-Sour Dipping Sauce by Bassi Gruen

I’m blessed with amazing sisters-in-law who are also excellent cooks on both sides of the family. These delicious chicken nuggets are from my husband’s sister Leah. They’re flavorful and crispy, and a welcome break from cold cuts at the Shabbos morning seudah. I usually double this because there’s so much noshing on Friday afternoon as they’re fried… You can just serve the nuggets with sweet chili sauce, but if you have the time, this homemade dipping sauce is worth the minimal effort.

13. Sesame Chicken by Rivky Kleiman

What’s Chanukah without the fried food? Rivky Kleiman’s classic Sesame Chicken, from her latest cookbook Simply, is the perfect crowdpleaser for a holiday meal or party.

Watch as Rivky and Naomi share their best frying tips on Sunny Side Up.

14. Chinese Chicken Poppers with Spicy Aioli by Rorie Weisberg

Watch Rorie make these easy poppers here!

Chanukah Cookies:

15. Chanukah Stained Glass Cookies by PJ Library

A fun and colorful Chanukah cookie activity with beautiful results.

16. Gluten-Free Chanukah Cookies by Vicky Pearl

This cookie dough is simple and delicious. It took some time to perfect the texture, I admit. But this has been my go-to cookie dough for some time now. These cookies have received rave reviews. The cookies actually need no embellishment; they’re terrific on their own. But if budding little artists abound at your home, feel free to decorate. The simplest way of course is to melt some high-quality chocolate and drizzle over the cookies. Or, go to town and arrange different colored sprinkles, an array of colorful icings and a whole lot of palette knives on your counter for your kids to have their pick.

17. Chanukah Cookies by Joy Devor

Finally, an amazing sugar cookie recipe that uses oil, not margarine! Refrigerating that dough will help firm up the dough, thus making it easier to work with. This is really the perfect recipe to make with little ones, and sprinkling with colored sugar is the perfect way to add some extra “bling”. To make colored sugar, just mix a tiny bit of gel food coloring with some regular sugar until you get the desired color.

Fried Sides:

18. Grilled Cheese Balls by Chanie Nayman

These are too easy and too adorable not to make. You can customize the toppings as you wish. We tried it with Everything spice and absolutely loved it!

19. Crispy Cauliflower Dipping Party by Victoria Dwek

20. Beer-Batter Broccoli Bites by Rivky Kleiman

Toothsome broccoli in a crisp and crunchy coating with a tangy and satisfying dip. A very palatable appetizer or side dish that will disappear before your eyes.

21. 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!

22. Beer-Battered Cauliflower Poppers by Mirel Freylich

If you’re serving this fresh, baking the poppers is the way to go. Otherwise, frying will help the batter retain its crispiness when it’s reheated.

Dairy Pasta:

23. Feta Cheese Pasta Bake by Faigy Murray

I test hundreds and hundreds of recipes, and every so often I come across a recipe that makes me stop and say, “Wow, wow, wow!” This is one of them. This recipe has become a staple in my house. The best part? It’s so, so easy.

24. 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.

25. Penne in Creamy, Easy Homemade Vodka Sauce by Chani Salzer

I know, I know, you can buy vodka sauce in a bottle, but once you try this recipe, you’ll never be able to turn to the bottle again.

26. Broccoli-Stuffed Shells by Gitty Friedman

This is a favorite in my family. It’s pretty enough to serve at a party and delicious enough that even the kids will go back for seconds!

27. Macaroni and Cheese Casserole from the Nitra Cookbook

Here’s a really simple way to elevate your standard mac-and-cheese lunch or dinner.

Salads:

28. 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!

29. Fried Feta Salad by The Peppermill

Everyone loves a salad with the tangy bite of feta cheese!

30. Everything But the Bagel Salad by Sima Kazarnovsky

So here’s what we’ve got: roasted eggplant for the chew, crumbly cheese for the creaminess, pickles for that bite, and Everything bagel spice for that zesty bagel flavor. Really, are you even missing the bagel? Of course you are. Toast it generously and have it on the side of this delicious salad.

31. 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.

32. When Greek Meets Caesar Salad by Victoria Dwek

Salad dressings are supposed to add flavor, but this one also adds nutritional content. Most of us can eat a Caesar-style salad any day with any dairy meal. Now, with no mayo or egg yolks and very minimal oil, it’s actually a healthful side. This dressing is also a great option for those who are allergic to eggs. Now that I’m using Greek on my Caesar, I ought to try using Greek on my Greek.