5best2buy
The Recipe · No.593 · Challah

Challah, and where to source it

Challah — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Challah Jewish 5best2buy.com

Challah is an enriched dough, so good bread flour and fresh eggs give it the elastic pull that lets you braid it tight. The dough should be tacky but not sticky after kneading, and a full egg-wash before baking is what makes the braid shine like lacquer.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep30 min
Cook30 min
Makes2 loaves
CuisineJewish
Cost$
VegetarianDairy-free
Contains  eggs · gluten · sesame
Make it vegan: a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 2 loaves
Bread flour
High-protein flour builds the gluten that holds a tall braid; all-purpose sags.
4.5 cups
Source it →
Eggs
Three in the dough plus one for the wash give the crumb its color and the crust its shine.
4
Source it →
Honey
Feeds the yeast and gives the faint sweetness challah is known for.
1/4 cup
Source it →
Yeast
Active dry or instant; proof it if you are unsure it is alive.
2.25 tsp
Source it →
Sesame or poppy seeds
Pressed into the wet wash, the traditional finish on top.
2 tbsp
Source it →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortA project
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. KneadKnead flour, water, eggs, honey, oil, yeast, and salt 8 minutes to a smooth tacky dough.
  2. First riseLet rise covered until doubled, about 90 minutes in a warm spot.
  3. BraidDivide, roll into strands, and braid tight; the strands should taper at the ends.
  4. Wash and bakeProof 45 minutes, brush twice with egg wash, top with seeds, and bake at 350F until deep brown and 190F inside, about 30 minutes.
The Toolkit

Stand mixer · Bench scraper · Half sheet pan · Pastry brush · Instant thermometer

Straight Answers
Can you make Challah in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Challah? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Challah ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Challah gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Challah vegan? — Vegetarian, not vegan

It’s vegetarian but not vegan as written — it has egg and honey. Make it vegan: a flax or aquafaba egg for the egg.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Jewish recipes
Chocolate BabkaPotato KnishChopped LiverMatzo BreiHamantaschenBagels
All Jewish recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.593

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →