AGAWAM, Mass. — In the Chanukah story one tiny jar of oil keeps the lamps burning for eight full nights. Since Chanukah celebrates this miracle, it’s traditional to eat foods fried in oil as part of the festivities. We got together with PJ Library Connector Jennifer Stempel, to find kid-friendly, easy to prepare, Chanukah recipes that make preparing fried (or unfried) foods easy.

Don’t forget to like our Facebook page to watch LIVE cooking demos of some of these recipes!  Find free and downloadable Hanukkah activities, recipes, story ideas, books and more on the PJ Library Hanukkah hub.

Chanukah Nutella Pocket

 Ingredients:

Vegetable Oil

Wonton wrappers

Chocolate Hazelnut spread (Nutella)

Banana, sliced in rounds to make coins

1 egg, beaten

*Optional: Powdered sugar

Preparation:

• In a large sauté pan (or electric skillet), add oil until it is about 1 inch deep. Heat over medium/high heat (between 375 and 400 degrees).
• Lay wonton wrapper flat. Add 1 teaspoon of Nutella, and top with a banana coin.
• Dip your finger in the egg and run it along the edges of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper in half to form a triangle. Push down the edges to seal.
• Fry each wonton packet in oil, about one minute per side, and drain on a plate lined with paper towel.
• Optional: Top with a dusting of powdered sugar.
• Serve immediately.

If you’re making these for a guest with a nut allergy, swap out the Nutella for sunbutter or Wowbutter.

Chanukah Mini Donut Holes

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil

1 package of prepared pizza dough

¼ cup sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Optional topping ideas:

Powdered sugar

Cocoa

Jelly

Melted chocolate chips

Preparation:

• In a large saute pan (or electric skillet), add enough oil so that it is about one inch deep. Heat over medium high heat (between 375 and 400 degrees). 
• Roll out pizza dough until it is about ½-1 inch thick. Cut rounds of dough using a one-inch cookie or biscuit cutter. If you’ve got a kid helper on hand, pass off the cookie cutters and put them to work, just make sure a grownup does the next step.
• Carefully place each dough round in the oil and cook about 1 minute per side.
• Remove the rounds from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towel.
• Now it’s time for your toppings! Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl, and while the rounds are still warm, roll them in the mixture to coat. You can try some of the alternate toppings we listed above here too!
• Serve immediately.

About PJ Library is a free program of the Longmeadow, Mass.-based Harold Grinspoon Foundation. PJ Library sends engaging storybooks and activities that provide fun and easy ways for families to connect with Jewish life to Jewish children throughout the country. More than 670,000 books are delivered to families worldwide each month. To find out more, visit pjlibrary.org.