These crispy zaatar and sumac crackers are perfect for serving with labneh, olives, hummus, dips, or salsas. They also make a delicious afternoon snack and are simply delectable alongside a platter of assorted cheeses. Zaatar and sumac are a divine flavor combination, bringing together the earthy, aromatic notes of zaatar and the tangy, citrusy taste of sumac in every crunchy bite!
What are Zaatar and Sumac?
These crackers feature two of the Middle East’s most beloved ingredients: zaatar and sumac.
What is zaatar? Zaatar is a traditional Middle Eastern seasoning blend found in virtually every household across the region. Incredibly versatile, it can be enjoyed as a dip with bread, sprinkled over food, used as a seasoning, or simply enjoyed as a snack. Although the blend varies from country to country and from family to family, common ingredients include wild thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and oregano.
What is sumac? Sumac is a spice made from dried, ground sumac berries. It has a distinctive tangy, citrusy flavor that adds a refreshing tartness to a variety of dishes.
Although sumac is already an ingredient in zaatar, I added a little extra to the cracker dough to intensify its delightful citrusy tang. I absolutely love the aroma and flavor that zaatar and sumac impart to food. To me, they make almost anything taste better! Together, they give these homemade zaatar and sumac crackers their irresistible savory flavor.
Two Methods for Baking Authentic Zaatar Crackers
There are two foolproof ways to make these zaatar and sumac crackers, and both deliver delicious results. I tried both methods on the same day so I could compare their flavors! As soon as I tasted them, I realized how even small changes can make a noticeable difference in the final result, even in a simple recipe like crackers!
Option One:
Roll the dough out as thinly as possible on a piece of lightly floured parchment paper. Brush the surface with oil, then sprinkle the zaatar and sumac evenly over the top. Cut the dough into equal squares, then transfer the parchment paper directly onto a baking sheet. Bake until the crackers are golden brown and crispy.
Option Two:
In a bowl, mix the oil, zaatar, and sumac until you obtain a thick paste, just as you would when preparing the filling for manakish. Roll the dough out as thinly as possible on a piece of lightly floured parchment paper. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into equal squares. With the help of a spoon, gently spread the zaatar mixture over each square, leaving a ¼-inch border around the edges. Transfer the parchment paper directly onto a baking sheet and bake until the crackers turn golden brown and crispy.
How to Serve and Store Your Middle Eastern Zaatar Crackers
When I first envisioned these crackers, I thought Option One would be my favorite. But my imagination proved me wrong this time, and I have to say that Option Two is the clear winner!
With Option One, the crackers turned out well, but their flavor was a little too simple for my liking.
With Option Two, the crackers bake beautifully, with delightfully crispy edges. As you bite into them, you experience the earthy aroma of zaatar, the wonderful tang of sumac, and the richness of the oil, all coming together in one irresistible combination. The flavor is simply divine!
How to Store and Freeze Zaatar Crackers
You can easily double the recipe and store the extra zaatar crackers in a freezer-safe plastic bag in the freezer. They’re perfect to have on hand for unexpected guests and make a delicious, fuss-free snack whenever you need one!
Serve these crispy zaatar and sumac crackers with Labneh (Lebanese Cream Cheese) for a delicious Middle Eastern-inspired snack.
Or serve them with my Supreme Hummus Recipe for a delicious and satisfying snack!
Explore more delicious ways to enjoy zaatar with these Lebanese favorites and easy homemade recipes:
More Lebanese Zaatar Recipes to Try
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Zaatar and Sumac Crackers
Description
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- -1 tablespoon sugar
- ⅔ cup warm water
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the zaatar and sumac filling:
- ½ cup zaatar
- 2 tablespoons sumac
- ⅓ cup sunflower oil
- A pinch of sea salt
Why sunflower oil instead of olive oil?
- I chose sunflower oil for the filling because olive oil can develop a bitter unpleasant taste when exposed to high heat, which could affect the flavor of these crackers.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and olive oil. Add the warm water and knead the mixture with your hands, pressing until the ingredients come together to form a soft, pliable dough. Divide the dough into three equal portions and shape each into a ball.
- Make the zaatar filling: In a bowl, mix the sunflower oil, zaatar, sumac, and sea salt until you obtain a thick paste.
- Roll out the dough: Lightly flour your rolling pin and roll each dough ball out as thinly as possible on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper.
- Cut and fill the crackers: Using a pizza cutter, score the dough into 5 cm (2-inch) squares. Gently spread the zaatar filling over the surface with the back of a spoon, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Bake: Transfer the parchment paper, along with the scored dough, directly onto a baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the crackers are golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them, as some crackers may brown faster than others. That’s perfectly fine! Simply remove the browned crackers from the oven and return the remaining ones to bake until they reach the desired color and crispness.
- Repeat: Continue with the remaining dough. You can bake one batch while rolling out the next to save time.
- Happy baking, and enjoy your homemade zaatar and sumac crackers!
Notes
5 Comments
Question: My Zaatar already has Sumac in it. Is additional Sumac still needed?
These are the perfect addicting little crackers. I wish I was dipping these in some fresh made salsa or cream cheese dip right now. I especially loved your easy step-by-step instructions, you’ve made this recipe so easy to make at home!