35 Challah Topping Ideas
Challah is a traditional Jewish bread that is typically braided and served on the Sabbath and other Jewish holidays. While Challah is delicious on its own, it can be made even more delicious with a variety of toppings. In this article, we’ll explore 20 different Challah toppings and their ingredients.
Sesame seeds – toasted sesame seeds are a classic Challah topping that adds a nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the bread.
Poppy seeds – another classic topping, poppy seeds are slightly sweet and add a pleasant crunch to the bread.
Everything seasoning – a popular bagel topping that works just as well on Challah. Everything seasoning typically includes sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion, dried garlic, and salt.
Cinnamon sugar – a sweet and simple topping made with cinnamon and sugar.
Honey – drizzling honey on top of Challah adds a touch of sweetness and a beautiful golden color.
6. Nutella – a chocolate-hazelnut spread that adds a rich and indulgent flavor to Challah.
7. Chocolate chips – sprinkling chocolate chips on top of Challah creates a decadent bread that’s perfect for dessert.
8. Almonds – sliced almonds add a nutty crunch to Challah and look beautiful when toasted.
9. Dried cranberries – a sweet and tart topping that pairs well with the slightly savory flavor of Challah.
10. Lemon zest – adding lemon zest to Challah creates a bright and refreshing flavor.
12 Sun-dried tomatoes – chopped sun-dried tomatoes add a savory flavor and chewy texture to Challah.
13. Feta cheese – crumbled feta cheese adds a tangy and salty flavor to Challah.
14. Pesto – spreading pesto on top of Challah creates a flavorful and aromatic bread that’s perfect for savory dishes.
15. Rosemary – adding fresh or dried rosemary to Challah creates a fragrant and herbaceous bread.
16. Parmesan cheese – grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor to Challah.
17. Olives – chopped olives add a salty and slightly briny flavor to Challah.
18. Scallions – sliced scallions add a fresh and slightly sweet flavor to Challah.
19. Za’atar – a Middle Eastern spice blend that includes thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds. Za’atar adds a unique and complex flavor to Challah.
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Slightly different Challah Topping ideas
Here are some unique Challah toppings to try:
20.Harissa – a North African chili paste that adds a spicy and smoky flavor to Challah.
21. Candied ginger – chopped candied ginger adds a sweet and spicy flavor to Challah.
22. Saffron – adding saffron to Challah creates a fragrant and slightly sweet bread that’s perfect for special occasions.
23. Fig jam – spreading fig jam on top of Challah adds a sweet and fruity flavor that pairs well with cheese.
24. Black pepper – a sprinkle of black pepper on top of Challah adds a slightly spicy and earthy flavor to the bread.
25. Balsamic glaze – drizzling balsamic glaze on top of Challah creates a sweet and tangy bread that’s perfect for savory dishes.
26. Blue cheese – crumbled blue cheese adds a pungent and tangy flavor to Challah.
27. Caramelized onions – caramelized onions add a sweet and savory flavor to Challah that’s perfect for sandwiches.
28. Pomegranate seeds – sprinkling pomegranate seeds on top of Challah adds a sweet and tart flavor that’s perfect for the holidays.
29. Chipotle peppers – chopped chipotle peppers add a smoky and spicy flavor to Challah that’s perfect for Mexican-inspired dishes.
30. Jalapeño peppers – chopped jalapeño peppers add a spicy kick to Challah.
31. Chopped nuts – chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to Challah.
32. Dukkah – an Egyptian spice blend that includes toasted nuts, sesame seeds, and spices. Dukkah adds a unique and flavorful topping to Challah.33. Miso – spreading miso paste on top of Challah adds a savory and umami flavor that pairs well with fish and vegetables.
33. Za’atar and labneh – spreading labneh (a Middle Eastern strained yogurt) and za’atar on top of Challah creates a flavorful and tangy bread that’s perfect for breakfast.
34. Coconut flakes – sprinkling coconut flakes on top of Challah adds a sweet and tropical flavor that’s perfect for summer.
35. Truffle oil – drizzling truffle oil on top of Challah adds a rich and earthy flavor that’s perfect for special occasions.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional Jewish foods, including Challah, and many Jewish chefs and food bloggers have put their own spin on this classic bread by adding unique and interesting toppings. Some well-known Jewish cooks and chefs who have experimented with Challah toppings include:
Yotam Ottolenghi – a famous Israeli-British chef and cookbook author who has popularized Middle Eastern flavors in his cooking. Ottolenghi has shared recipes for Challah with za’atar and labneh, and also a recipe for Challah with tahini and sesame seeds. Go HERE
Joan Nathan – a prominent Jewish cookbook author who has written extensively on Jewish cuisine. Nathan has shared recipes for Challah with raisins and almonds, and also a recipe for Challah with apples and honey. GO HERE
Leah Koenig – a Jewish food writer and cookbook author who has written about the history and cultural significance of Challah. Koenig has shared recipes for Challah with za’atar and olives, and also a recipe for Challah with poppy seeds and lemon zest. Go HERE
These Jewish cooks and chefs, along with many others, have helped to bring attention to the versatility of Challah and inspire home cooks to experiment with their own unique toppings.
Molly Yeh – a Jewish food blogger and cookbook author who has gained a large following for her creative and colorful recipes. Yeh has shared recipes for Challah with sprinkles and also a recipe for Challah with goat cheese and fig jam.
