Hanukkah cooking
Latke and sufganiyot gear for Hanukkah cooking
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Lodge pre-seasoned cast iron skillet, 10.25 inch
A cast iron skillet fries latkes with an even golden crust and lasts forever.
Check price on AmazonWhat to look for: A 10-inch pan with a helper handle.
Crisp latkes need a heavy pan that holds heat, a thermometer to keep the oil steady, tongs, a rack and something to shred potatoes fast. Sufganiyot need steady oil temperature too. Fry safely: a deep pan, a thermometer and a lid within reach.
At a glance
Hanukkah cooking is shallow-fried and last-minute: potatoes are shredded, squeezed and fried in batches while guests are already eating. The right tools make the process less hectic and the oil safer.
Latkes need two things that most kitchens lack: a pan that stays hot and a fast way to shred. Sufganiyot add a need for steady oil temperature.
How to choose
- A heavy pan. Cast iron holds heat when cold batter hits it, which gives crisp edges.
- A thermometer. Oil that is too cool makes greasy latkes; oil that is too hot burns the outside. A clip-on thermometer settles the oil temperature.
- A way to shred. A food processor with a shredding disc is fastest; a mandoline or box grater works with more effort.
- A holding setup. A rack set on a baking sheet keeps latkes crisp in a warm oven.
For safety, keep a lid nearby for oil fires, never add water to hot oil, and keep children away from the stove. Our Hanukkah dinner menu and latke timeline shows when to start.
All the picks
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Lodge pre-seasoned cast iron skillet, 10.25 inchOur pick
A cast iron skillet fries latkes with an even golden crust and lasts forever.
- Look for:
- A 10-inch pan with a helper handle.
- Best for:
- Latke cooks.
- Skip:
- for those with a glass-top stove that doesn't suit cast iron.
-
TempPro TempDip digital candy and fry thermometer
A fast thermometer shows oil temperature so latkes and donuts fry right.
- Best for:
- Anyone frying latkes.
-
OXO Good Grips locking tongs, 12 inch
Locking tongs flip, serve and grab at the stove and the grill, and they are a gift that gets used every meal.
- Look for:
- A locking mechanism and a silicone tip option.
- Best for:
- Cooks and grillers.
-
Cuisinart 14-cup food processor
A 14-cup food processor chops, shreds and kneads dough for big recipes.
- Look for:
- A large bowl and several blades.
- Best for:
- Serious cooks and bakers.
-
OXO Good Grips V-blade mandoline
A mandoline slices potatoes, onions and cucumbers evenly in seconds for gratins and salads.
- Look for:
- A hand guard and adjustable thickness.
- Best for:
- Cooks who like even slices.
- Skip:
- for anyone who is careless with blades.
-
Cooling racks for baking, 2-pack
A cooling rack lets air flow under cookies and pies.
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Nordic Ware Prism baking half sheets, 2-pack
Half-sheet pans are the workhorse for cookies and roasting.
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Bounty quick-size paper towels
Paper towels handle the party's spills.
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OXO Good Grips multi-purpose scraper and chopper
A bench scraper moves chopped vegetables, cuts dough and scrapes the counter clean in one motion.
- Look for:
- A stainless blade and a comfortable grip.
- Best for:
- Bakers and prep-heavy cooks.
-
DASH Mini Donut Maker
A mini donut maker lets kids make small sufganiyot-style treats with no deep frying.
- Look for:
- A nonstick surface and a recipe booklet.
- Best for:
- Families who bake together.
- Skip:
- for those who want authentic fried donuts.
-
Jew-Ish: A Cookbook
A modern Jewish cookbook with recipes for latkes and holiday meals.
- Best for:
- Cooks who love Jewish food.
What to skip
- Nonstick pans for frying. High heat damages them.
- Deep fryers you will use once a year. A pot and thermometer do the job.
- Paper towels as a rack. They steam the latkes and make them soft.
- A donut maker if you want traditional fried sufganiyot. It makes baked-style donuts.
For the table, see Hanukkah table and decor; for gifts, Hanukkah gifts and essentials. Cooks on your list may also like gifts for cooks.
Questions people ask
What do I need to make latkes?
A heavy skillet, a shredder or food processor, a clip-on thermometer, tongs and a rack. Squeeze the potatoes dry and fry in batches, keeping finished latkes warm on a rack in a low oven.
How do I keep latkes crisp?
Squeeze the shredded potato dry, fry at a steady temperature and set the latkes on a wire rack, not paper towels. Keep them in a low oven until you serve.
Is a donut maker good for sufganiyot?
It makes baked-style mini donuts, not traditional fried sufganiyot. It is simpler and safer, especially with kids, but the texture is different.
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