How to Cook with Za’atar: 2 Easy Recipes You’ll Love

There’s something magical about Za’atar — that heady mix of thyme, sumac, and toasted sesame. It’s earthy, lemony, and completely irresistible. My grandmother used to sprinkle it on flatbreads with olive oil for breakfast, and I still keep a jar on my kitchen counter all year round.

Today, I’m sharing two effortless recipes that make Za’atar the hero: roasted carrots with creamy labneh and a quick weeknight chicken that’s full of flavor and crunch.

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🥔 Baked Za’atar Potatoes

Serves: 4
Time: 40 minutes

Crispy, golden, and deeply satisfying — these potatoes are perfect for brunch, mezze, or next to a roast chicken.

Ingredients:

• 800g baby potatoes, halved

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1½ tbsp Za’atar

• Salt & pepper

• Optional: lemon wedges & fresh parsley

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.

2. Toss potatoes with olive oil, Za’atar, salt and pepper.

3. Spread out on a baking tray and roast for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway.

4. Serve hot, with a squeeze of lemon and a handful of herbs if you like.

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🫒 Olive Oil & Za’atar Dip (for Bread or Flatbreads)

Serves: 4 as a snack
Time: 5 minutes

This is how I start every feast — warm bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil and za’atar. It’s simple and utterly moreish.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp good-quality extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tbsp Za’atar

• Flaky sea salt (optional)

• Warm flatbreads or crusty bread, to serve

Method:

1. In a shallow dish, pour the olive oil.

2. Swirl in the Za’atar and a pinch of sea salt.

3. Tear, dip, eat. That’s it.

💡 Tip: This also makes a great base for a salad dressing or marinade.

 

🍋 Labneh & Za’atar Dip

Serves: 4–6 as part of a mezze
Time: 10 minutes

Creamy, tangy, and topped with a savoury za’atar drizzle — this dip is always the first to disappear at a gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup labneh (or use thick Greek yogurt)

• 1 tbsp Za’atar

• 1½ tbsp olive oil

• ½ tsp lemon zest

• Pinch of sea salt

Method:

1. Spoon labneh into a shallow bowl or plate.

2. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle the Za’atar and lemon zest.

3. Finish with a pinch of sea salt and serve with flatbreads or veggies.

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🧄 Hummus with Za’atar Oil

Serves: 4–6
Time: 10 minutes

This is my go-to upgrade for hummus. The warm, nutty Za’atar topping takes it from simple to special.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups hummus (homemade or store-bought)

• 1 tbsp Za’atar

• 1½ tbsp olive oil

• Toasted pine nuts or chickpeas for garnish (optional)

Method:

1. Spoon hummus into a serving bowl and smooth the top with the back of a spoon.

2. Heat the olive oil gently in a small pan, then stir in Za’atar (don’t fry it — just warm).

3. Drizzle the infused oil over the hummus and garnish if you like.

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Za’atar belongs at the centre of the table — passed around with laughter, dipped into with your hands, and shared with love.

📩 Want more spice inspiration? Sign up for my seasonal table notes or tag me @elmarieberry to show me how you use your Za’atar.