Baked Za’atar Fries with Feta

Savory and amazingly flavored, these baked za’atar fries bring a unique Middle Eastern twist to your table. 

Generously seasoned with a Za’atar spice mix and served with a touch of fresh parsley and feta cheese, these fries are a perfect side dish or a delicious snack you won’t be able to resist. 

This baked dish is super easy to make yet comes with bold flavors. Let’s dive in!

Like my Carne Asada Fries or Cumin Roasted Sweet Potatoes, these za’atar fries are perfectly seasoned with an aromatic spice mix. But this time, I’m using a Middle Eastern spice blend, and once baked, peppery parsley and feta cheese amp up the flavors. 

They are also baked to golden perfection. A little olive oil gives them that lovely, crispy texture, perfect to serve with your favorite dipping sauce.  Let’s make these irresistible baked za’atar fries.

Don’t know what Za’atar seasoning is? It’s a spice blend that typically calls for sesame seeds and ground sumac with its delicious, lemony tartness. Although the recipe can vary wildly, other earthy herbs like dried oregano, thyme, or even chili peppers/chili flakes nicely balance the lemony and nutty elements of the first two spices. You can often find za’atar in Mediterranean stores or online, or make my homemade za’atar spice mix in just 5 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• So Flavorful: Tossed in za’atar seasoning, they are salty and herbaceous with a lemony touch.
• Healthy and Baked: Baking at a high temperature results in crispy fries with a creamy interior without the excess oil.
• Simple Ingredients: These fries can be on your table with just 5 ingredients you can easily find at the grocery store.
• Adaptable: Simply remove the feta cheese to make it vegan-friendly and whole30 compliant.

Ingredients You’ll Need To Make These Baked Za’atar Fries

Here’s what you need to make these healthier Za’atar fries:

• Russet potatoes: When baked just right, this high-starch potato gives you that lovely crispy exterior while the inside stays deliciously creamy.
• Za’atar spice mix: This herbaceous blend of spices adds amazing bold flavors to these fries and brings out Middle Eastern flavors like in my Baked Middle Eastern Salmon.
• Feta cheese: Choose a crumbly feta cheese to sprinkle on top of the za’atar fries once baked.
• Fresh Parsley: Used as a garnish, this herb adds a lovely peppery touch to tangy za’atar flavors.
• Extra virgin olive oil: You only need a good drizzle of olive oil to lightly coat the potatoes. Don’t use too much to avoid sogginess. You want that perfect balance of creamy and crispy.

How to Make Za’atar Fries

This potato dish comes together in no time and requires very little cleanup. 

1. Prep the Potatoes: Wash and thoroughly pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Cut them vertically into fries, about a 1/4 inch thick. 
2. Assemble and Season: Place the fries on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season with the za’atar spice mix. Toss to evenly coat the fries and spread them in a single layer.
3. Bake: Bake in a 400°F preheated oven for 22 to 24 minutes or until golden brown, flipping them with a spatula halfway through. 
4. Finish: Remove from the oven and garnish with crumbled feta and chopped parsley. Serve hot!

Variations and Substitutions

• Try different potatoes: Idaho, Yukon Gold, or fingerlings are other great options. And if you love natural sweet Za’atar fries, try sweet potatoes.
• Experiment with other spice mixes: Try other spice blends, such as my homemade Italian seasoning mix, smoked paprika, or garlic powder.
• Use fresh garlic: Use two garlic cloves finely chopped and season on top of the fries before they pop into the oven.
• Keep it dairy-free: These fries taste fantastic, with or without the feta cheese. So, leave it out if you want to keep them dairy-free and Whole30-approved.

Storage Tips

Although best when served straight out of the oven, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 

To reheat, bake in a hot oven for about 5 to 10 minutes or air fry in an air fryer until crispy. Don’t use the microwave to reheat fries to avoid soggy ones.

Helpful Tips

• Thoroughly dry the potatoes and remove excess moisture for a crispy exterior texture.
• Spread the fries in a single layer on the baking sheet to prevent them from sticking and achieve the desired consistency.
• Adjust the amount of za’atar to your taste for a more or less herbaceous flavor.
• If you want thinner fries, cut them into 1/2-inch thin sticks. However, watch the fries while baking because thinner fries might brown quicker.

Serving Suggestions

​There are so many ways to enjoy these baked za’atar fries. I simply love them as a snack topped with crumbled feta that deliciously melts as I serve them with my favorite sauces for dipping. You get my drift. 

But whether you enjoy them as a snack or side dish, here are some suggestions for you:

• Serve with ketchup, harissa ketchup, garlic aioli, or a thinner sauce like my simple homemade pesto.
• They are great with chicken or fish, like my lemon-baked salmon or shrimp tacos.
• Or pair them with my Easy Pan-Fried Turkey Burgers for a Mediterranean burger and fries combo.

I hope these fries become your new favorite with their crisp, creamy bite and amazing flavors. Try them and enjoy the delicious Middle Eastern twist on classic french fries!

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