Oven Baked Za’atar Fries

These are the best oven baked fries you’ve ever tasted! Tossed in a homemade za’atar spice mix, they are salty, sour and loaded with fresh herbs – plus, they are healthy too!

this RECIPE!

“What could you eat every day for the rest of your life and never get tired of?” was a question that went around the table at the last dinner party I attended. Some answered nigiri and maki sushi while others preferred something sweeter like chocolate. I picked French fries because of their addictive crispy texture and the fact that they are such a great vehicle for flavor. Of course, I could eat chocolate every day and be just as happy but fries and gravy is more my thing.

Fries with vinegar and salt is also my thing. Fries with chili and melted cheese is, well, you get the idea. Anything with fries is my thing while anything with chocolate isn’t necessarily my thing. So you see the logic behind why I had to pick fries – because they never disappoint and always satisfy!

I love French fries so much that I got Ben addicted to them. Now everytime we order from Uber Eats, if fries are on the menu, he gets them. One particular place we love to order from is this Middle Eastern spot that sells za’atar fries. Along with a couple of falafel falafel wraps we get za’atar fries, which are fries tossed in this amazing mix of citrusy, peppery and aromatic spice mix.

What is sumac?

Sumac is a spice made from red berries that are dried and ground into a fine powder. The fruit comes from a bush that can be found in subtropical and temperate regions such as North America, Africa and East Asia. It’s often used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking on salads, as a rub or to add tartness to a dish. It is sold in Middle Eastern markets or can be purchased online.

This recipe for za’atar fries is so easy to make that it’s fail-proof. And so delicious that you’ll want to make it every day!

Only 8 ingredients are needed for these fries:

• Potatoes
• Olive oil
• Ground sumac
• Sesame seeds
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh oregano
• Salt
• Pepper

The crispy texture of the fries will surprise you. Tossing the fries in a little olive oil and baking them at a high temperature makes them crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. No deep frying needed and they are absolutely scrumptious!

How To Perfectly Season These Fries

Two tablespoons of za’atar is all you will need for this batch of fries. Because the flavor of sumac is quite sour, using too much can overpower the natural taste of the potatoes. We are looking to strike the perfect balance of flavor so I suggest starting with a little and do a taste test.

Need more flavor? Sprinkle an additional teaspoon and taste it again. Got leftover za’atar spice mix? Good for you! Store it in a dry place and use it next time you make this dish again.

What To Serve With These Za’atar Fries

The smoky, salty, and slightly sweet taste of sumac spice has a very distinct mediterranean taste. Because of that I like to pair these fries with other dishes that have a similar flavor profile. Some of my favorites are:

• Creamy cucumber and tomato salad
• Seafood paella
• Comforting fish stew
• Edamame quinoa salad
• Smoked salmon omelette
• Salad Nicoise

You won’t believe how delicious these oven baked za’atar fries are. And because they are relatively healthy, they make an excellent late night snack guaranteed to satisfy the naughty side in you!

Did you like this recipe? Are there changes you made that you would like to share?

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