Za’atar Swirls are flaky, flavourful, delicious and easy to make snack or appetizer. Basically you need puff pastry and za’atar and you’re good to go. Bake them for parties or gatherings . I have made them into small pies but you can easily shape them into bigger ones to enjoy as a light meal option with some salad on the side.
What Is Za’atar?
Za’atar pronounced as ZAH-tar is a popular Middle Eastern seasoning blend. It is made from dried herbs, sumac and sesame seeds. A versatile blend, it can be used in soups, salads, meats, fish, breads, crackers, etc. Actually, the possibilities are endless. I love this seasoning blend. During my trip to Dubai in summer, I got addicted to the Manakeesh there. Such a filling, delicious snack or breakfast it is. In fact, my introduction to za’atar was when I visited Dubai for the first time. My daughter and I had lunch at a cafe in the Mall Of Emirates. The sandwich I ordered was feta cheese, tomatoes and za’atar. What a burst of flavours.
Must admit I don’t make the za’atar blend at home. Nevertheless, I get mine from Dubai. As a matter of fact, I got the last batch from the spice souk. The advantage of shopping for spices and saffron at the spice souk is that you get to taste the spices and you can bargain. Though I am really bad at bargaining, love going to the spice souk! Usually I store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge as I don’t use it everyday. If you cannot taste the herbs and sumac then the mixture is either too old or not made properly. Usually za’atar is a blend of dried wild thyme, majoram, oregano, toasted white sesame seeds, sumac, coriander and cumin.
Sharing Za’atar Swirls Recipe With 2024 Alphabet Challenge Group
When we started the Alphabet Challenge in Jan 2024, I made a note of the recipes I would like to share. Many were redoing old posts and some were new recipes. Along the way some got changed completely depending on the ingredients I got or because that is what I wanted to serve at that particular time. With Z I had pencilled in za’atar. Actually, I wanted to redo my Manakeesh but I guess it will have to wait.
We’re at the end of the Alphabet Challenge and cannot thank Wendy enough for initiating this group. What a wonderful and educational journey it has been. Got to learn new recipes, new ingredients, new culture. We are continuing with journey in 2025. So looking forward to more exciting recipes and more learning.
More About Za’atar Swirls
Last week, I invited my neighbour over for coffee and decided to bake some za’atar swirls which disappeared really fast…into our tummies. While I tried to make them a bit cute and different by twisting the pastry and shaping into swirls, you can easily spread the olive oil and za’atar over the rolled out pastry. Shape into a long log and slice them. Becomes into pinwheels. Or leave them as twists if you wish. Make them into mini pies by adding some feta. In fact, the possibilities are endless. Please do remember to chill the shaped pastries for at least 20-30 minutes before baking them.
Some Recipes With Z On My Blog
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Buy good quality puff pastry. Leave the frozen pastry to thaw overnight in the fridge. I was quite disappointed with the store brand pastry I got. Unfortunatley, I couldn’t unfold the rolled pastry! I prefer using Tenderflake brand but being the festive season the store had run out of them.
Za’atar
Buy good quality za’atar. Usually Middle Eastern Stores have good brands or check online.
Olive Oil
Need some olive oil for brushing on the rolled out pastry. This way the za’atar sticks to the pastry.
Egg Wash| Milk
Lightly whisked egg brushed on the shaped pastry results in that beautiful appetizing golden colour. However, if you don’t eat eggs then brush the top with some milk.
Sesame Seeds
Optional ingredient to sprinkle on top of the pastries.
Za'atar Swirls are flaky, flavourful, delicious and easy to make snack or appetizer. Basically you need puff pastry and za'atar and you're good to go. Bake them for parties or gatherings .
Course Appetizer, Snack, Starter
Cuisine fusion
Keyword puff pastry with zaatar, zaatar pastries, zaatar swirls
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
CHILLING TIME 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 50 minutesminutes
Servings 10MINI PIECES
Author mayurisjikoni
Ingredients
1sheetpuff pastry, thawed10 X 13 inches
⅓cup za'atar
2tbspolive oil
1tspsesame seeds
2tbspmilk or whisked egg
some flourfor dusting
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 220℃.
Line a baking tray with some parchment paper.
Dust the work top with little flour.
Unfold the pastry and gently roll it out to about 10 inches wide and 13 inches long.
With the length side towards you brush the olive oil all over the puff pastry.
On one half of the side sprinkle all the za'atar.
Cover the za'atar part with the other half part that is plain.
Turn the pastry 90°. The longer side will be towards you.
Using a pizza or pastry cutter cut into strips about an inch apart.
use a ruler for guidance. You should get 10 strips.
Take one strip. holding both ends, twist it gently.
Lay it on the work surface. Roll it into a swirl or spiral.
Repeat the same with the other strips.
Put the tray with the za'atar swirls in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
Take the tray out of the fridge.
Brush the top of each swirl with some milk or whisked egg.
Sprinkle sesame seeds over them.
Bake the za'atar swirls for 20-25 minutes or till they are golden brown.
Take the za'atar swirls out of the oven.
Put the swirls on a wire rack to cool for a few minutes.
Serve warm za'atar swirls.
As the za'atar is full of flavours you wouldn't need a dip to go with the swirls. If you want to serve them with a dip opt for whipped feta dip.
Notes
Best to consume on the day the za'atar swirls are baked as the pastry becomes soft.
Add grated parmesan or crumbled feta if you wish.
Make them into pinwheels if you don't want to swirl the strips.
Make sure you are working with cold pastry and not warm. Becomes difficult to work with warm pastry.
Baking time may vary from oven to oven.
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