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My Za’atar Fries Are So Good!
One of my favorite ways to use za’atar is as seasoning on top of homemade French fries. In fact, we eat so much za’atar in my household that you won’t find it with my spices in my spice drawer. Instead, I keep a giant 16-ounce jar in my fridge!
It’s the perfect flavor to go with crispy oven-baked French fries because it’s nutty, earthy, and salty. Instead of ketchup, I like to pair my za’atar fries with a creamy Greek yogurt dip.
What Is Za’atar?
Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend that brings a tangy, earthy flavor to dishes. The Lebanese version that I use the most is usually made with sumac, thyme, sesame seeds and salt, but other regions may add cumin, oregano and other herbs and spices to the mix.
Used as a seasoning, a topping for flatbreads, or mixed with olive oil for dipping, za’atar adds depth to everything from roasted veggies to meats. It’s very simple to make from scratch, but nowadays, you can easily find the blend at most major supermarkets. We use it for everything from making pita sandwiches with labneh, baking manakeesh, and sprinkling it on lots of other dishes, like lentil salad and baked chicken.
Ingredient Notes
- Russet potatoes: I like to use Russet potatoes for baked za’atar fries because they crisp up nicely in the oven. If you don’t have them, other high-starch potatoes such as Yukon gold or Kennebec are good, too. Just avoid waxy potatoes like red or fingerlings!
- Olive oil: Olive oil gives these fries great flavor, but any oil with a high smoke point will work, like avocado oil.
- Za’atar: Use a store-bought blend that you like or make your own with my za’tar recipe.
How to Make Za’atar Fries
My Best Oven Baked Za’atar Fries Tips
- Cut the fries to the same size. This will make sure they cook evenly.
- Don’t skip the soaking step. Placing the potatoes in cold water before baking helps remove excess starch. That’s how I get the crispiest texture for baked french fries!
- Dry the potatoes well before baking. If there’s too much moisture, the potatoes will steam and you’ll end up with soggy fries instead of crispy ones.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan. Leave some space between the fries so steam can escape and all sides crisp up.
What to Serve
Recipe Help & FAQs
French fries are always best fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes or in the air fryer, but they will not be as crispy.
Za’atar has many layers of flavor. The sumac gives it a subtle tanginess, while the sesame seeds add a rich, nutty depth. It also gets a floral aroma from the thyme.
Prepping the potatoes properly is key! Soaking them in water removes excess starch while drying them thoroughly after prevents them from steaming. It’s also important to spread the fries out on the baking sheet so they have space to crisp up on all sides.
More Potato Side Dish Recipes:
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Grilled Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Oven Baked Sweet Potato Chips
- Roasted Parmesan Potatoes
- Baked Potato Wedges
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Lebanese Spicy Potatoes (Batata Harra)
If you try this feel good Za’atar Fries recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
Za’atar Fries Recipe
Ingredients
Greek yogurt dip
- ½ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon tahini
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dill powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash the potatoes and scrub their skin to clean them as much as possible. Cut the potatoes into ¼-inch wide sticks.
- Place the potatoes in a large bowl and submerge with cold water. Soak for 30 minutes. Drain the potatoes and dry very well using paper towels or a kitchen towel.
- Transfer the dried potatoes to the prepared baking sheet. Add 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt. Toss well to coat.
- Arrange the fries in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure they aren’t touching too much. This is key in helping them cook evenly and get crispy.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle about half the za'atar seasoning and flip the fries to the other side. Add the remaining za'atar seasoning and drizzle the remaining oil. Bake for 15 to 20 more minutes, or until the fries are crisp.
- While the fries are baking, make the dip by stirring together the yogurt, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill and salt. Serve with the za'atar fries.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
