They have nothing to do with religious beliefs, but it just became a custom because they are fried in oil. On Hanukkah, Jews customarily make foods like doughnuts and potato pancakes because they are fried in oil, and part of the miracle of Hanukkah is that oil was found in the holy Temple that could only last one night, but it lasted eight nights.
Levivot in Hebrew and Latkes in Yiddish are the fried potato pancakes eaten during Hanukkah (and at other times).
Latkes are potato pancakes eaten in the period of eight days of Hanukkah
Latkes.
Potato Pancakes (latkes) and jelly donuts (sufganiot)
Potato pancakes, jelly donuts, Hanukkah-themed decorations, dreidels, and appropriate songs.
There are no special rules or traditions about Hanukkah meals. It is traditional to eat potato pancakes and/or jelly donuts during Hanukkah, but these items may or may not be included in meals.
Special foods include potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly donuts (sufganiot).
Sort of. On Hanukkah, it is traditional to eat potato pancakes, which are commonly served with applesauce, but the applesauce doesn't have any significance.
There's no such thing as Hanukkah people. Hanukkah is a holiday that is celebrated by Jewish people. During Hanukkah, we customarily eat latkes (potato pancakes) or jelly donuts.
There is no such thing as "Hanukkah day". Hanukkah lasts eight days and eight nights. Traditional foods include jelly donuts and potato pancakes.
Another name for potato pancakes
There's really no such thing as "Hanukkah Dinner". Meals during Hanukkah have no special times associated with them. Jelly donuts or potato pancakes are traditional and may be served at any time during Hanukkah.
Latkes (potato pancakes) in America, and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) in Israel.