The 13 Best Hanukkah Appetizers To Kick off the Festivities
Our favorite dips, chips and starters that make the best appetizers for Hanukkah.
Gear-up for the Festival of Lights with these easy Hanukkah appetizers that really get the party started — and keep it going for eight crazy nights. So, what are the best appetizers to serve at a Hanukkah party? Latkes are a given, but we’ve got some unique toppings ideas for you to upgrade your typical latke recipe this year (start with the epic combo of horseradish sour cream, dill and pomegranate seeds, trust us!). Just like any other celebratory meal, starting with a soup is always an elegant (and easy!) option that won’t fill anyone up before the main feast. Spiced nuts make a delicious nibbler to enjoy while sipping cocktails, or try whipped ricotta on toast for a more substantial app if you’re not serving a sit-down dinner. And if you’re still not sure what to bring to a Hanukkah potluck, you can’t go wrong with an easy dip recipe (and lots of chips!). We rounded up plenty of delicious dips with various bases, like split peas, cream cheese, beets and of course, chickpeas.
These appetizers will round out your traditional dinner menu, whether you’re serving slow cooker brisket, roast chicken, or any one of our favorite Hanukkah foods. They’ll slate your appetite while waiting for that salmon to finish roasting or for your sufganiyot dough to rise. Speaking of the traditional Hanukkah dessert, don’t forget to complete your feast with tasty treats, like our favorite honey balls or rugelach.
Easy Potato Latkes
Upgrade classic latkes with colorful toppings like dill and pomegranate to make this an elegant app.
Get the recipe for Easy Potato Latkes »
RELATED: 10 Latke Recipes That Take Your Hanukkah to the Next Level
20-Minute Cauliflower Soup
Drizzle creamy cauliflower, onion, leek and garlic soup with fragrant chive oil to make it fancier for the holidays.
Get the recipe for 20-Minute Cauliflower Soup »
RELATED: 30 Crazy-Delicious Cauliflower Recipes to Instantly Upgrade Your Veggie Game
Everything Bagel Dip
Set out this spiced spread with pumpernickel bread, cucumbers and smoked salmon, then watch it disappear.
Wild Mushroom Toasts
Red chile adds just the right amount of spice to balance the earthy mushrooms and creamy cheese.
Pecorino-Everything Spice Straws
Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning and grated cheese onto store-bought puff pastry for the easiest app ever.
Yellow Split Pea Dip
This easy dip is made with yellow lentils and turmeric for a gorgeous golden hue that stands out on the app table.
Get the recipe for Yellow Split Pea Dip »
RELATED: 51 Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started
Spicy Deviled Walnuts
Paprika, cumin, cinnamon and hot sauce give these walnuts a major wow-factor.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Give your go-to hummus recipe a bright boost with homemade roasted red peppers, plus a little paprika for even more color.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
The fried sage leaves on top of this simple soup turn it into something special. Thanks to the Instant Pot, the whole thing comes together in less than an hour.
Parmesan-Chive Chips
Here's a last-minute app idea: Upgrade store-bought chips with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh chives.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Our version is lighter than usual, with fresh herbs, walnuts and just a sprinkle of cheese, so that you'll have plenty of room for brisket.
Parsnip-Potato Latkes With Quick Sautéed Apples
Add parsnips into your latke batter for a hint of earthy sweetness.
Get the recipe for Parsnip-Potato Latkes with Quick Sautéed Apples »
Zesty Beet Dip
Spicy horseradish and fresh lemon juice give extra oomph to this Insta-worthy dip.
Samantha (she/her) is the Senior Editor at Delish, where she edits the most-talked-about food news and features on the internet. In her previous role as Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, she taste-tested hundreds of products and recipes (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
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