Zaatar bread crumbs are the best zippy Middle Eastern spin to ever happen to breadcrumbs, and they’re easy to whip up with just 3 ingredients!
This recipe will add so much flavor and crunch to just about any savory dish!
Taking a very popular Mediterranean seasoning and combining it with leftover crusty bread brings new life and a crunchy, flavorful topping that goes well with just about anything savory!
Truth be told, every Middle Eastern household that makes zaatar manakeesh (zaatar bread, a.k.a a zaatar-topped pizza-style flatbread) on a regular basis knows the struggle of what in the world to do with leftovers.
This recipe is the perfect (delicious) solution, and a great one to be made from scratch as well.
ZAATAR BREADCRUMB INGREDIENTS
You’ll need 3 ingredients to whip this crunchy Mediterranean-inspired topping together: leftover crusty bread, zaatar seasoning, and extra virgin olive oil.
You can use any white bread, pita bread, or artisan bread, those get crusty fast around here!
These are good options for zaatar and extra virgin olive oil to grab if you don’t have any on hand.
If you’re lucky enough to have leftover manakeesh/mankish, or commonly referred to as zaatar bread in English, then you’re set! That stuff is goooooooood and that’s all you’ll need to make this recipe.
HOW TO MAKE IT
The process is easy and fast.
First step is crushing the bread until it’s bread crumb texture, then add our prized Middle Eastern seasoning and olive oil.
Pulse to combine.
Transfer to a sheet pan and bake until lightly toasted and crispy – it takes just about 12 minutes. Then, voila!
HOW TO SERVE IT
Add it to just about anything you want to add a flavorful crunch to.
It’s absolutely delicious, crusted on chicken, pork, or fish. This reminds me of my love for this baked whole fish recipe, and adding these flavorful bread crumbs to it would take it over the top!
Morning eggs are a popular Middle Eastern breakfast, and this crunchy topping would be spectacular with it!
Even adding to this silky hummus or labneh would be a great crunchy addition.
OTHER MEDITERRANEAN RECIPES
You have got to try other Mediterranean recipes while you’re at it. They’re full of flavor, healthy ingredients, and of course so dang good!
Here are a few to pick from, and there are tons more where that came from on my Mediterranean recipes tab. Like chicken shawarma, a classic and mouthwatering Middle Eastern meal, or this authentic beef kefta!
Please give us a 5 star rating if you enjoyed this recipe, and comment what you topped it on!
Zaatar Bread Crumbs
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed bread , you can use white, pita, or artisan
- 2 tbsp zaatar
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F.
- In a food processor, add cubed bread and pulse until it's bread crumb texture.
- Add zaatar and olive oil, then blend to completely combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a sheet pan, you can choose to line it with parchment paper.
- Smooth the mixture to make it flat, for even crisping.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until it's slightly toasted.