Seven essential Chanukah kitchen tools

Even the more simple items will make life easier and a little bit more fun: 

Chanukah cookie cutters

Simple star cookie cutters are so 2023. These individual cutters on Etsay have so much detail you’ll be the cookie Queen. I love them so much I’ll even forgive the American spelling. They come in three different sizes but I’d advise the largest set (10cm). Use them to make Sarah Mann-Yeager’s gorgeous winter spice cookies which she packaged in these gorgeus ready-to-tie cellophane bags.

Double drawer air fryer
I think we can safely say the air fryer is here to stay and you can find recipes for most of your traditional Chanukah treats. We use ours several times a week and if I could have one wish it would be for a bigger one with two drawers. This Tower model has a 4.5 star Amazon review and those much-envied double drawers, plus it’s on offer at the moment reduced from £139.99 to £78. Almost half price. You can then make these fantastic crumpet churros and halloumi with hot honey If you prefer a more traditional treat then you can still make air fryer doughnuts in it.

Spider

If you do decide to deep fry – or if you cook a lot of vegetables or pasta in boiling water this is a go-to gadget. It’s what we used at chef school and is a favourite in many professional kitchens for its versatility. This simple spider is under £5.98 and comes in a range of colours. Perfect for fishing anything out of pans.

Splatter guard

Any form of frying — especially latkes — needs one of these. Even more important it if you have a hard-to-clean hob. It’s actually a must even if you have a wipe clean induction hob, as it takes forever to degrease shiny surfaces. And it’s a lot quicker to chuck the splatter guard in your dishwasher or even wash it yourself. This one is priced at £6.95.

Star of David cake tin

Nordicware are the Rolls Royce of baking tins. If you’ve ever admired an intricate-looking bundt cake, the chances are it was made in one of their tins. They are solid and last for years — and the cakes you make in them work. (But you do need to throroughly grease the tin.) I spotted a cake made in this Star of David tin on a Facebook group and have been obsessed with it ever since. It’s on my wish list. It’s £61 on Amazon (eek) but you’ll get so much use from it. 

Doughnut making machine

I’ve had my eye on one of these ever since I got to play with one at the children’s primary school Chanukah fair. Perfect for making mini baked doughnuts to order – they’re super delicious when fresh. And everyone will enjoy the spectacle. Or bake a batch in advance and freeze them. Makes light work of cake-style doughnuts. And this one is £24.99 or £19.99 if you go for the pale green version. 

Pink Chanukah spatula

My silicone spatulas are my most used kitchen gadgets. They’re a must for protecting non-stick pans as you fry your latkes and for making sure I can get every last blob of doughnut batter out of my cake bowls. This cute spatula is £15.00 but will add a pop of colour to your starch-covered kitchen and asmile your face as you get those latkes grated and fried.