The Best Rosh Hashanah Recipes for a Sweet New Year

Rosh Hashanah is right around the corner; this year it begins at sundown on Friday, September 11th and runs through nightfall on Sunday, September 13th. If you celebrate, I’ve rounded up all of my favorite Rosh Hashanah recipes in one place to make planning your holiday table as easy as possible.

From apps to serve while everyone’s catching up, to mains that can feed a crowd, to the desserts that make the whole house smell wonderful, this is everything you need for a sweet, healthy new year.

The holiday season is here, which means it is finally my favorite season for entertaining! If you are looking for healthy, flavorful, and simple meals to make this season, we have got you covered!

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and it’s one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar. It marks the start of the High Holy Days, a time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the one ahead.

Many families observe the holiday with services at temple or synagogue, quality time together, and, of course, a table full of food that symbolizes hope for a wonderful year to come.

When is Rosh Hashanah in 2026?

This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 11, 2026, and ends at nightfall on Sunday, September 13, 2026 (1–2 Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar).

What do you eat for Rosh Hashanah?

Food is such a big part of how we celebrate! Apples and honey are the classic Rosh Hashanah tradition, a simple dip meant to symbolize hopes for a sweet new year.

You’ll also often see round challah (instead of the usual braided loaf) to represent the cycle of the year, and pomegranates, which stand for abundance and blessings.

Beyond those symbolic bites, most Rosh Hashanah tables include a mix of starters, a hearty main, plenty of sides, and a dessert spread that leans into fall flavors- think apples. In the roundup, I’ve listed all of my Rosh Hashanah recipes that are holiday-friendly, so it’s easy to build a menu that works for everyone at your table.

Appetizers For Any Table

Start things off with something to nibble on while everyone settles in, and don’t forget the classic apples and honey!

My Mother-In-Law’s Challah Recipe: It’s the best, and a Rosh staple!

Matzo Ball Soup: Just like Nanny made it! This classic Gluten-Free Matzo Ball Soup will become a family staple that is loved by all!

Crudité Platter: This Crudité Platter with Dairy-Free Tzatziki Sauce makes for a light, refreshing appetizer.

Potato Leek Soup: Flavorful and deeply comforting, this Potato Leek Soup is a must-make.

Brussels Sprout Slaw: Sweet and tangy, this Brussels Sprouts Slaw is an easy no-fuss side dish to serve with a holiday meal.

Apple, Sweet Potato and Kale Quinoa Salad: This kale quinoa salad is the ultimate Fall salad!

Classic Chicken Soup (Slow Cooker + Instant Pot): A classic soup to serve for Rosh Hashanah or Hanukkah.

Chicken and Rice Soup: This lemony Chicken and Rice Soup is a classic that is full of flavor.

Roasted Eggplant Dip: This Roasted Eggplant Dip is a delicious, healthy appetizer.

Vegan Cauliflower Soup with Ginger and Turmeric: Made with ginger, turmeric, and coconut milk, this Vegan Cauliflower Soup is both healthy and downright delicious.

Hummus: A great way to start a holiday, and it takes 5 minutes to make.

Healthy Holiday Mains

Whether you’re feeding a big table or keeping it small this year, here are my go-to mains, plus a few lighter, fish-forward options if you want something different from the usual chicken or brisket.

Garlicky Moroccan Fish: My Shabbat favorite and perfect for any holiday, too!

My Friday Night Chicken: Garlic Confit Chicken and Potatoes: A simple comfort food, this one-pan chicken and potatoes.

Salmon Shawarma: Would be fabulous for the holiday.

How to Make a Spatchcock Chicken: Here is one trick you need to know to make the best whole roasted chicken that cooks evenly and in the shortest time possible.

Perfect Holiday Brisket: This Jewish braised brisket recipe is one that my family has been making for years! I am making it this year!

Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Brisket: Sweet and tangy, it’s perfect as a holiday centerpiece.

Easy Roasted Turkey Breast with Pear Chutney: This Oven Roasted Turkey Breast with Pear Chutney is a Fall meal at its best and a staple at my family holiday dinners.

Orange Cranberry Roasted Chicken: The perfect main course to make for a small holiday gathering.

Kale and Sweet Potato Stuffed Turkey Breast: Perfect for a dinner party or small holiday feast.

Nanny’s Sweet and Sour Meatballs: Nanny’s Sweet and Sour Meatballs are a family staple holiday recipe, made a little bit cleaner! We love this slightly sweetened sauce paired with the gluten-free meatballs for a perfect holiday meal.

Lemon Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Capers, and Artichokes: This one-pot Lemon Roasted Chicken with Garlic, Capers, and Artichokes is such a flavorful and hearty dish!

Roast a Turkey:  If you’ve never roasted a turkey before, this Citrus Herb Turkey explains it all!

One Pot Apple Cider Braised Chicken: This One-Pot Apple Cider Braised Chicken with Brussels Sprouts and Bacon is the perfect fall holiday meal!

Herb Butter Salmon with Blistered Tomatoes and Green Beans: A complete meal all on a sheet pan.

Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Lemon Greens: A no-fuss dinner that everyone will love, this one-pan oven-baked chicken thigh dish is the perfect way to celebrate.

Vegetarian Wild Rice Stuffed Mushrooms: Vegetarian or not, you’re going to love these meatless holiday-inspired Wild Rice Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms.

Instant Pot Pot Roast: The Instant Pot is by far the best way to cook Pot Roast when you are short on time.

Healthy Holiday Side Dishes

These are the dishes that round out the table, cozy, seasonal, and easy to make ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen all day.

Gluten-Free Classic Potato Latkes: These Gluten-Free Classic Potato Latkes are just like grandma makes them, only made without any refined white flour!

Sweet Potato Latkes: These gluten-free Sweet Potato Latkes are a twist on the traditional. They’re slightly sweet and savory, crispy on the outside and perfect served with either apple or cranberry sauce!

Air Fryer Broccoli: This Air Fryer Broccoli is a 10-minute recipe for perfectly crisp-tender broccoli with a little char.

Cranberry Walnut Roasted Acorn Squash: This Cranberry Walnut Roasted Acorn Squash recipe is the best festive Fall side dish!

Herb and Garlic Quinoa: This easy and delicious Herb and Garlic Quinoa is the perfect side dish to accompany just about anything.

Roasted Potato Wedges: Crispy on the outside, creamy in the middle, and perfectly seasoned, these Roasted Potato Wedges are the best side dish ever.

Oven Roasted Vegetables: The perfect side dish for nearly any holiday meal!

Harvest Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing: This healthy Harvest Salad recipe is packed with chopped kale, roasted kabocha squash, colorful pomegranate seeds, and toasted pecans.

Garlic and Herb Mushrooms: This mushroom recipe is the last one you’ll ever need to look up for a side dish idea.

Honey Glazed Carrots: These are the perfect fuss-free side dish.

Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes: These three-ingredient roasted cinnamon sweet potatoes make for the perfect sheet-pan side dish!

Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes: These Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes are crispy and golden on the outside and soft and smooth on the inside.

Perfect Oven Roasted Veggies: These really are the perfect roasted veggies recipe!

How To Make Rice Pilaf: An easy guide to a mouthwatering rice pilaf side dish. 

Classic White Rice: Simple and delicious, it’s the perfect foundation for so many meals.

Apple, Sweet Potato & Kale Quinoa Salad: A fantastic Autumn side!

Healthy Holiday Desserts

A sweet treat that feels extra fitting as the conclusion to a holiday all about wishing each other a sweet new year, apples, honey, and cinnamon show up a lot here on purpose.

Apple Upside Down Cake: This cake is unbelievably simple to make and so delicious. It’s perfect to serve up for Rosh Hashanah or to whip up for a weekend baking project after you’ve gone apple picking.

My Favorite Easy Apple Crisp: A simple, crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for fall and winter!

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake: Almost healthy enough to eat for breakfast, this Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cake is a more nutrient-dense take on the classic.

Apple Cider Donut Holes: The perfect fall treat made in just one bowl.

Gluten-Free Pound Cake: Humble in its appearance, yet so delicious, this Gluten-free Pound Cake is moist, dense, and so buttery.

Apple Hand Pies: These Apple Hand Pies are such a great fall or holiday treat using my popular gluten-free pie crust recipe made with almond flour, and a classic apple pie filling that is heavy on the apple flavor, and perfect for so many things (hello pancakes & waffle topping)!

Paleo Flourless Chocolate Cake: Rich and decadent, this Flourless Chocolate Cake is easy to make and so delicious.

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Apples: These easy-to-make “baked” apples have just the right amount of sweetness; they fill your home with the most delicious fall scent, and they are super easy to throw together.

Apple Galette: It’s the perfect dessert to serve during the holidays or a fun weekend baking project to celebrate the fall season! It’s made using unrefined sweeteners and uses the BEST gluten-free crust.

Vanilla Bean Pear Crisp: This Vanilla Bean Pear Crisp is the perfect Fall or Winter dessert!

Grain-free Cranberry Apple Crisp: This healthy apple crisp is made without oats, with a pop of color and tartness from added cranberries, and is sweetened just right!

Baked Hasselback Pears: Just barely sweet, yet still indulgent, Baked Hasselback Pears are a sophisticated dessert nobody will believe are a cinch to put together!

Apple Bread: This loaf is stuffed full of apples and raisins and is so moist.

Gluten-free Apple Pie Bars: All the flavors of apple pie without much of the work!

Mini Pavlovas: As beautiful as they are delicious!

Healthy Apple Nachos: Customize them based on what you have on hand, and we guarantee they will be a hit!

Healthy Holiday Drinks

A little something to toast the new year with, whether you’re keeping it festive or keeping it cozy. With virgin options too!

Slow Cooker Mulled Cider: Slow Cooker Mulled Cider with a Caramel Pecan Rim will be the hit of your parties or dinner parties all Fall and Winter long!

Holiday Punch: This Sparkling Citrus Punch is the ultimate holiday and New Year’s lightened-up cocktail!

Apple Cider Sangria: This Apple Cider Sangria is everyone’s favorite Fall cocktail!

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate: If you have 5 minutes and a few pantry staples, you can make this delicious dairy-free hot chocolate in your mug and warm up right now! It’s so much healthier than anything from a packet and so much tastier.

Frozen Hot Chocolate: This Frozen Hot Chocolate is the perfect treat all year long, just with a twist.

Shanah Tovah!

That means “Happy New Year” in Hebrew, and I hope this list makes planning your holiday table a little easier this year. If you make any of these Rosh Hashanah recipes, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram or leave a comment and rating on the recipe itself.