Hanukkah meals already glow with warmth, nostalgia, and rich flavors—but today’s culinary innovators are taking things one step further by infusing traditional dishes with cannabis oils. In recent years, cannabis-infused cooking has shifted from a niche trend to a mainstream culinary movement. According to reports from Leafly, Cannabis Now, and multiple culinary experts, infused oils offer precise dosing, consistent flavors, and an accessible way for home chefs to elevate familiar comfort foods without compromising tradition.

A Flavorful Update to Holiday Favorites

For many Jewish families, Hanukkah is synonymous with fried foods—latkes, sufganiyot, and warm, savory treats that bring people together. Cannabis oils introduce new layers of depth while allowing chefs to dial in effects and potency. Most experts recommend using low-temperature infusions to maintain cannabinoid integrity and prevent degradation—a process outlined by trusted sources like The Emerald Magazine and Culinary Cannabis Guidebooks.

Latkes are an easy starting point. Their crispy exterior and soft interior pair well with light drizzles of herbaceous cannabis-infused olive oil. By adding the oil after frying rather than mixing it directly into the batter, consumers preserve both potency and flavor. Some chefs prefer mixing equal parts traditional oil and cannabis oil to control intensity, creating a subtle earthiness that balances beautifully with applesauce or sour cream.

Sufganiyot with a Lift

Sufganiyot—those pillowy, sugar-dusted jelly doughnuts—offer another seamless infusion opportunity. Instead of cooking the dough in cannabis oil (which would require large quantities and risk burning the cannabinoids), experts advise incorporating infused oil into the filling or glaze. A THC-infused raspberry jam or a CBD-infused vanilla glaze creates a gourmet update to a dessert eaten for centuries.

Sources such as High Times’ cannabis chef interviews note that infused toppings work best for baked or fried desserts because they allow for precision dosing. A half-teaspoon of mildly infused oil in a glaze can deliver a gentle, relaxing effect without overwhelming the sweetness.

Brisket, Kugel, and Savory Holiday Classics

While fried foods dominate the Hanukkah menu, savory mains also present creative infusion opportunities. Brisket lovers can whisk a small amount of cannabis olive oil into pan juices or finishing sauces, enriching the meat with a subtle herbal note. Potato kugel also plays well with infused oils—especially dishes baked at moderate temperatures. Chefs suggest adding infused oil after baking or swirling it into a sour-cream topping to avoid cannabinoid loss during high-heat cooking.

According to culinary dosing guidelines published by The American Culinary Federation’s cannabis-cooking resources, newcomers should always start low: 1–2 mg THC per serving for a mild effect, or 5–10 mg for experienced consumers.

Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Infused Celebrations

Infused Hanukkah dishes should be clearly labeled, dosed carefully, and offered only to consenting adults. And because infused foods have a delayed onset of 30–90 minutes, chefs often remind diners to enjoy slowly. Pairing infused dishes with non-infused options keeps gatherings inclusive for everyone at the table.

This modern take on Hanukkah cooking blends tradition and creativity—honoring the past while embracing the culinary possibilities of today.