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The 13 Best Hanukkah Appetizers To Kick off the Festivities

Our favorite dips, chips and starters that make the best appetizers for Hanukkah.

By Samantha MacAvoy

Dec 7, 2020

Mike Garten

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.

Mike Garten

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 »

Mike Garten

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 »

Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

Everything Bagel Dip

Set out this spiced spread with pumpernickel bread, cucumbers and smoked salmon, then watch it disappear.

Get the recipe for Everything Bagel Dip »

Mike Garten

Wild Mushroom Toasts

Red chile adds just the right amount of spice to balance the earthy mushrooms and creamy cheese.

Get the recipe for Wild Mushroom Toasts »

Mike Garten

Pecorino-Everything Spice Straws

Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning and grated cheese onto store-bought puff pastry for the easiest app ever.

Get the recipe for Pecorino-Everything Spice Straws »

Mike Garten

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 »

DANIELLE OCCHIOGROSSO

Spicy Deviled Walnuts

Paprika, cumin, cinnamon and hot sauce give these walnuts a major wow-factor.

Get the recipe for Spicy Deviled Walnuts »

Mike Garten

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.

Get the recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Hummus »

EMILY KATE ROEMER

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.

Get the recipe for Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup »

Mike Garten

Parmesan-Chive Chips

Here's a last-minute app idea: Upgrade store-bought chips with a sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh chives.

Get the recipe for Parmesan-Chive Chips »

Mike Garten

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.

Get the recipe for Spinach and Artichoke Dip »

Mike Garten

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 »

Mike Garten

Zesty Beet Dip

Spicy horseradish and fresh lemon juice give extra oomph to this Insta-worthy dip.

Get the recipe for Zesty Beet Dip »

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Samantha MacAvoy Samantha MacAvoy is the Editorial Assistant on the Good Housekeeping food team, where she writes about tasty recipes from the Test Kitchen, must-try food products and tools, and top-tested secrets for home cooking success.