Labneh with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes and Dukkah
With this Labneh with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes and Dukkah recipe, you’ll take a simple, classic Lebanese spread like labneh and transform it into a festive-looking plate with multiple layers of textures and flavors. The creamy labneh, sweet and garlicky cherry tomatoes, and crunchy, aromatic dukkah come together to create a beautiful Lebanese appetizer that tastes as good as it looks.
The taste tester at Hadia’s Lebanese Cuisine—my son, Hicham—scraped the plate with a piece of toasted pita bread to retrieve the last bit of the dish. He declared that this recipe should be kept in our regular dinner rotation or even enjoyed as a snack.
Serve this labneh appetizer with toasted pita bread as a starter for any special occasion, and I guarantee it will be the dish that steals the show!

With Thanksgiving approaching, I wish all my American friends and readers a day filled with joy, surrounded by family and friends. I hope you enjoy some relaxation and have plenty of delicious food on your table!
Here’s an appetizer or starter you might like to add to your Thanksgiving buffet!
Happy Thanksgiving from our home to yours!

Ingredients You Need to Make Labneh with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes and Dukkah
- Labneh: A versatile dip and a breakfast staple in every Lebanese home! You can buy ready-made labneh or make your own batch at home. Here is my detailed recipe on how to make labneh.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Preferably use roma cherry tomatoes and cut them in halves.
- Garlic and Fresh Mint: Fresh mint leaves and garlic cloves are crushed together to make a fragrant paste. This adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the cherry tomatoes as they sauté in olive oil.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil adds fabulous flavor, richness, and balance to this Lebanese appetizer. Use good-quality extra-virgin olive oil for the best results.
- Dukkah: A delicious blend of nuts, seeds, and spices that brings together a celebration of aromatic, crunchy flavors. Here is my favorite dukkah recipe to keep in your repertoire. Make a batch and keep it on your kitchen shelf; it is such a handy blend to have on hand!
- Salt: Add a pinch of salt to the cherry tomatoes as they sauté. It helps bring out their natural sweetness and balance the flavors.
- Arabic Bread or Pita Bread: You can serve this labneh appetizer with any toasted bread. However, za’atar and sumac crackers or toasted Arabic bread make a particularly delicious match for this labneh with garlicky cherry tomatoes and dukkah.
How to Make Labneh with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes and Dukkah
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- Cut the pita bread: Using a sharp knife, cut the Arabic or pita bread into evenly sized, cracker-shaped portions.
- Arrange on a pan: Place the bread pieces in a single layer on a large sheet pan, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Bake until golden: Toast them in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 7 minutes until they are perfectly crisp and crunchy. Set aside.
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- Crush the aromatics: Using a mortar and pestle, crush the fresh mint leaves and garlic cloves together until they form a smooth, fragrant paste. Set this aromatic blend aside.
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- Heat the skillet: Place a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh garlic-mint paste, whole cherry tomatoes, a pinch of salt, and a generous drizzle of high-quality olive oil.
- Blister the tomatoes: Sauté the mixture gently until the cherry tomatoes soften and just begin to burst, releasing their natural juices. Remove the skillet from the heat.
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- Spread the labneh: Spoon the creamy labneh onto a serving plate. Use the back of a spoon to smoothly swirl and spread it, creating shallow wells for the toppings.
- Layer the warm tomatoes: Carefully scatter the sautéed tomatoes and all their flavorful pan juices evenly over the labneh bed.
- Add the final garnishes: Finish with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a generous sprinkle of aromatic dukkah seasoning. Garnish with a few fresh mint leaves.
- Serve warm: Serve immediately alongside your homemade toasted pita bread or your custom zaatar and sumac crackers. Happy eating!
More Traditional Lebanese Cheese and Dairy Recipes
- Labneh
- Labneh Balls
- Shanklish
- Jibneh Baladi (Traditional Lebanese Cheese)
- Laban (Homemade Lebanese Yogurt)
Let’s Stay in Touch!
Labneh with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes and Dukkah
Description
Ingredients
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- A pinch of salt
- 2 cups labneh
- A handful of fresh mint leaves
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons dukkah
- A small drizzle of olive oil for serving
- 1 large Arabic bread or 2 pita breads cut into squares and toasted until golden
- Extra fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Start by toasting the Arabic or pita bread. Using a sharp knife, cut the bread into equal-sized pieces. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 7 minutes, or until crisp and golden.
- Using a mortar and pestle, crush the fresh mint leaves and garlic cloves together into a paste. Set aside.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the garlic-mint paste, cherry tomatoes, a pinch of salt, and a drizzle of olive oil.
- Sauté until the tomatoes soften slightly and begin to burst. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spoon the labneh onto a serving plate and spread it with the back of a spoon. Scatter the tomatoes and their juices over the labneh.
- Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle the dukkah evenly over the top. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve with toasted pita bread or our za’atar and sumac crackers. Happy eating!
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3 Comments
[…] Labneh with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes and Dukkah […]
So delicious and easy to make!!!
Thank you so much, Lauren. I am happy to know you liked, xoxo.