A few things come to mind when we think of fried foods on Chanukah. The sound of crackling oil in a pan, an unmistakable crispy, golden brown coating, that hot, crispy first bite. But what if we told you that you can get all of that without any of the mess (or smell) of frying.

Sound too good to be true?

From Baked Chocolate Donuts and Baked Onion Rings, to Mozzarella Sticks and Oven-Fried Latkes.

You can have all of these Chanukah foods without any of the gelt — ahem, guilt.

Read on for more of our favorite fake-fried recipes!

1. “All About the Technique” Baked Mozzarella Sticks by Victoria Dwek

Yes! You can serve fresh, oozing mozzarella sticks—whether for dinner or a Chanukah party—and they don’t have to be fried (soooo much easier with no pot to watch!). Even though the ingredients here are completely basic, it’s the technique that’s important to have successful results. It’s not difficult, but you do need to pay attention. In a nutshell: freeze twice, coat well, bake hot, and bake fast. I love this technique so much because it allows me to make the mozzarella sticks in advance and simply and easily pop them in the oven. Foolproof!

2. Crispy Baked Broccoli by Brynie Greisman

This is my lightened-up version of tempura batter-fried veggies. It’s absolutely delicious. Tastes best freshly made. Feel free to sub cauliflower or use a combination of both.

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. Baked Chanukah Cake Donuts by Mikki Schaechter

A perfect and lighter option for Chanukah, these donuts will be gone before you blink!

5. Oven-Baked Onion Rings by Brynie Greisman

These garnered rave reviews from tasters of all ages. They’re dipped in flour, then in a well-seasoned beer batter, and then very lightly in panko crumbs. The result — outstanding, really crunchy, and flavorful onion rings. You’re going to love them!

6. Fake-Fry Broccoli Burgers and Bites by Rorie Weisberg

We’re fake “frying” this Chanukah, and it’s never been better! This recipe can be made as burgers or delectable broccoli bites.

7. Oven-Fried Onion Rings with Broccoli Cheddar Dip by Shaindy Ausch

Fried onion rings sound great, don’t you think? But since I like to avoid frying whenever I can without compromising on taste, I set out to find a substitute. After several experiments, these baked onion rings won the contest. Crispy and crunchy, these are the best no-mess, no-guilt alternative!

8. Oven Fried Cornflake Chicken from the Dining In Cookbook

We like to use olive oil with this and other chicken recipes. It’s healthier and adds a mellow richness to the flavor.

9. Oven-Fried Sweet Potatoes by OU Kosher

Oven-fried sweet potatoes – tossed with oil and baked at a high temperature – are a colorful, healthy, easy-to-master side dish.

10. Beer-Battered Air Fryer Onion Rings by Allison Waggoner

Air frying produces foods that taste deep-fried without all the extra fat. These easy, crispy onion rings will hit the spot as a supper side dish or a Motzaei Shabbat snack.

11. Oven-Fried Potato Latkes by Jenn Segal

Latkes, or crisp onion-scented potato pancakes, are a traditional Hanukkah dish. Go to any Hanukkah party and you’ll find an apron-clad Jewish mother or grandmother standing at the stove frying and doling them out – a tradition I loved and cherished until I became the poor mother who had to make them. Cooking short-order style, hot oil splattering all over the kitchen, children running underfoot – no thank you! Enter these oven-fried baked latkes. They’re no healthier, mind you, but just as good, half the mess since they’re baked in the oven, and so much easier.

12. Crunchy Oven Fried Fillet from the Nitra Cookbook

13. Homemade Baked Falafel by Erin Grunstein

Although this recipe is baked, it tastes fried because of the way the oil is heated up! Best of both worlds!

14. Pretzel-Coated Oven-Fried Chicken by Faigy Grossman

Crispy and oh-how-tasty, this chicken recipe will garner rave reviews from children and adults alike.

15. Air Fryer Ravioli Cruncholi by Allison Waggoner

Fried ravioli? Yes, fried cheese ravioli. Sounds deliciously decadent, but this version is baked in an air fryer, saving you all the calories from frying!

16. 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.

17. Crispy Oven Fried Chicken by Esty Wolbe

Try this crispy fried chicken- without the deep frying but with the same crispy, crunchy taste! Watch Esty make it on Easy Does It With Esty.

18. Oven-Baked Fries (that taste fried) by Erin Grunstein

The magic of this recipe is the cooking method, not the seasoning. Here I posted a basic version but you can jazz it up with whatever you’d like!

19. Crispy Oven-Fried Flounder and Cajun Sweet Potato Chips by Chayie Schlisselfeld

The baked flounder has crispy breading yet a moist interior. Paired with sweet potato chips and an easy homemade tartar sauce, fish and chips is a great supper everyone at your table will enjoy.

Originally published December 2020. Updated and improved December 2023.