Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (2024)

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Sweet or savory, side dish or dessert – regardless of how you think of Jewish kugel, you will find it here. Below are 9 of the best kugel recipes we can find, including several gluten-free kugel options.

I don’t know about you, but for me, growing up, Jewish noodle kugel was the highlight of just about every holiday meal. And when we went to bubbe’s (grandma’s), we often got to sink our teeth into her sweet kugel on the Sabbath too.

Homemade noodles, plumped up sweet raisins, sugar all bound together in an egg batter . . . just thinking about it takes me back to my childhood. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer. Sometimes a side dish for the family, other times, it was a dessert.

For me, it was always a treat. Even when served alongside chicken and vegetables, I saved it for last. So, for me, I ultimately created what felt like two desserts when we were at grandma’s house, as she always at least had cookies or ice cream to follow up for us.

Yes, those were the days before food allergies. Now, I can’t touch that kugel, but even if I could, bubbe had kept that recipe close to her heart, and sadly it faded with her, just like her matzo ball soup.

But today, we have found several gluten-free kugel recipes and share them below along with other traditional kugel recipes. Eventually, we may try them all by substituting rice or corn-based gluten-free pasta or flour. For now, we can only recommend some of the recipes if you are attempting gluten-free.

What is kugel?

What is kugel?

Kugel is a Yiddish word for a baked pudding or casserole and is a common dish amongst Ashkenazi Jews. While it’s typically made with a noodle or potato base, in our family, it was always noodles.

Is kugel a dessert or a side dish?
Honestly, gluten-free kugel can be either. If served as the meal’s carbohydrate alongside a slice of meat and vegetable, it is a side dish. However, when presented after the meal and covered in whipped cream or with a scoop of ice cream, it is clearly a dessert.

Should kugel be served warm or cold?
Another great question without an answer. It can be served either hot or cold. Both are delicious.

Can kugel be vegan?
Sure, it can. There is even a couple of vegan recipes below.

Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (1)

Four gluten-free kugel recipes amongst our list of nine Jewish kugel recipes

To make it easy to find what you are looking for, this list is divided into gluten-free kugel and other kugel recipes.

Kugel recipes

Sweet and savory, noodle kugel is a worldwide family favorite amongst Ashkenazi Jews. Here is a list of nine varieties, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options.

Gluten-free kugel recipes

These recipes have all been tried with the gluten-free option by the recipe creator.

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Gluten-Free Noodle Kugel

Photo Credit:www.fearlessdining.com

Everyone will love this homemade gluten-free kugel recipe. My grandma's family kugel, made in a gluten-free version. Nobody will know this is gluten-free!

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Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (3)

Apple Noodle Kugel

Photo Credit:debraklein.com

A healthier noodle kugel. Delicious dairy-free kugel that is gluten-free, oil-free, and sugar-free. What’s left is a tasty kugel that is light and satisfying.

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Parsnip & carrot kugel: egg and dairy-free

Photo Credit:family-friends-food.com

Sweet root vegetables shine in this delicious parsnip and carrot kugel. Crispy edges & a soft, almost cakey interior. A delicious vegan side dish. Make it gluten-free by substituting your preferred GF flour blend for the plain flour.

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Leek & potato kugel

Photo Credit:family-friends-food.com

With crispy golden edges and a meltingly soft, delicious interior, this gorgeous leek and potato kugel is a glorious twist on tradition. Substitute the flour for a gluten-free option.

More traditional noodle kugel recipes

While these recipes could use a gluten-free substitute, it has not yet been tested for flavor and consistency.

Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (6)

Cherry Kugel

Quick, easy, and delicious, this sweet noodle kugel with cherries ticks all the boxes for a perfect holiday side dish or even a yummy dessert.

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Vegan Spinach Noodle Kugel

Photo Credit:zardyplants.com

This creamy vegan spinach noodle kugel is a fantastic kosher-friendly main or side dish for any holiday meal or even on a weeknight, as it takes just 35 minutes to throw together. Protein-packed and much lighter than normal kugel, this healthy dish is delicious and perfect for the entire family.

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Jerusalem Kugel

Photo Credit:globalkitchentravels.com

This Jerusalem style kugel is both a little sweet and a little savory, flavored with black pepper and sugar. It's made with thin egg noodles, so it is not gluten-free but oh so delicious.

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Grandma Rose's Jewish Noodle Kugel

Photo Credit:thisoldgal.com

Grandma Rose's Jewish noodle kugel is a traditional sweet noodle dish. While it's great every day of the year, you'll make a great impression at your holiday and Shabbos table.

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Pressure Cooker Jewish Noodle Kugel

Photo Credit:thisoldgal.com

Your favorite Grandma's noodle kugel recipe can easily be made in your Instant Pot. Sweet cheese and noodles combine for a wonderful breakfast or side dish.

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Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (11)

Sweet And Savory Apple Noodle Kugel

Photo Credit:livingsweetmoments.com

This delicious apple noodle kugel recipe is both sweet and savory. The apples are sauteed with onions, raisins, and cinnamon. Perfect for a holiday side dish!

Read next: Breaking Tradition with These 27 Yom Kippur Break Fast Menu Ideas

Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (12)

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Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (13)

Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (14)

Have you ever tried a gluten-free kugel?

More Jewish-style recipes you might like or check out one of our favorite Jewish cookbooks.

Grandma’s Easy Charoset Recipe: Sweet and Delicious

Decadent Gluten-Free Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe

8 Gluten-free Latkes: A New Recipe Each Night of Hanukkah

Disclaimer: Statements regarding health benefits are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Gluten-free Kugel Recipes Among These 9 Fabulous Kugel Options (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for farmers cheese in kugel? ›

Should you find a brick or two of old-fashioned farmer cheese, you can substitute it for the cottage cheese. It makes for a slightly firmer, milkier kugel with a mild tang. As for a topping, some kugel cooks like to sprinkle cornflakes, breadcrumbs or chopped nuts over the pudding.

Is kugel better hot or cold? ›

Do You Eat Noodle Kugel Hot or Cold? While noodle kugel should be removed from the oven and cooled for at least 30 minutes after baking, it can be eaten at any temperature. Eaten warm, when just set, noodle kugel's texture is more akin to a baked mac and cheese (the extra-crunchy noodles on top might be the best part.)

Why do people eat kugel? ›

Some Hasidic Jews believe that eating kugel on the Jewish Sabbath brings special spiritual blessings, particularly if that kugel was served on the table of a Hasidic Rebbe.

What's the difference between a kugel and a casserole? ›

The common denominators of all true kugels are a starch base, eggs (or egg substitute), and fat, without the addition of water or other liquids. If the dish lacks any of the basic ingredients, it is technically a casserole or cake, not a kugel.

What is the closest cheese to farmers cheese? ›

What's a good substitute for farmer's cheese? We've already mentioned that cottage cheese is a good alternative, but Indian paneer and ricotta work too. That said, certain Slavic recipes (like pierogis, blintzes, and vareniki) are simply not as authentic without it.

What is the flavor of farmers cheese? ›

Farmer cheese is a mild white fresh cheese with a crumbly texture and subtle, milky flavor. It's super-easy to make at home—it requires just three ingredients and some patience. And because it isn't aged or pressed for a long period of time, you can make it and eat it on the same day.

Why does my noodle Kugel fall apart? ›

Make Sure to Cool Your Kugel

Once it's baked, a kugel needs to cool, otherwise it will fall apart when slicing. Give it at least an hour to cool and set up, then slice and serve it warm or at room temperature.

What do you eat kugel with? ›

Kugel is traditionally served as a side dish alongside something meaty like brisket or roast chicken. In this case it would normally be served warm, but it can also be refrigerated and eaten cold the next day. Sweeter versions can also be eaten hot or cold, and taste great with fresh cream or vanilla ice cream.

How long will kugel last in the fridge? ›

Recipe Note

Potato kugel keeps well in the refrigerator for four to five days, as long as it's covered.

What is the English word for kugel? ›

„Kugel“: Femininum

ball bullet, pellet, shot sphere, globe bulb head thick flank roulette ball sphere shot, bowl, ball ball More translations... ball.

Why do Jews eat egg noodles? ›

History. "Jews eat lots of lokshen on Shabbat because noodles are symbolic of the unity of the people of Israel: They are so tangled that they can never be separated."

What does "kugel" mean in Hebrew? ›

The name of the dish comes from the Yiddish word kugel meaning 'sphere, globe, ball'; thus the Yiddish name likely originated as a reference to the round balls of dough that were placed in the center of the cholent, a traditional Shabbat stew, to cook alongside it and absorb its flavors for its later use as a side dish ...

Is kugel eaten at Passover? ›

During the Passover holiday, noodles and sweets take a back seat to dairy-free and flour-free potato kugels, which are served alongside other holiday classics like brisket, roast chicken and matzo ball soup.

What is a South African kugel? ›

South African slang (usually derogatory). A type of wealthy young (Jewish) woman, characterized as being shallow and materialistic.

What does kugel symbolize? ›

Some also say that the tangled pasta of the noodle kugel specifically has been said to be a symbol of Jewish unity – from the Ashkenazi to the Mizrahi.

What is another name for farmer cheese? ›

Also called twaróg, tvorog, or syr, among other names. Found in almost every Slavic, Baltic, and Germanic country. American-Style Farmer's Cheese. This is basically cottage cheese that has been pressed to remove water.

Is farmers cheese the same as ricotta? ›

Though very similar and interchangeable in most recipes; ricotta is made from whey, whereas Farmer's cheese is made from milk. Is there a substitute? If I don't have time to make this delicious curd cheese from scratch and you can't find it in the store, use Ricotta instead.

What's the difference between farmers cheese and regular cheese? ›

Farmer's cheese, a fresh cheese variety, is a pressed cottage cheese that is slightly more acidic and has a firmer texture, thanks to a lower moisture content. Farmer's cheese can be made from the milk of cows, sheep, or goats and can be rolled in different herbs or seasonings for extra flavor.

How do I substitute cream cheese for farmers cheese? ›

Easily made at home using milk or even kefir, farmer's cheese is a crumbly, creamy, fresh cheese that can stand in for cream cheese with a small adjustment. Blend the cheese up with just enough heavy cream to make a thick mixture. If your farmer's cheese isn't particularly tangy, add some lemon.

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