Zaatar Grilled Cheese is a delicious and indulgent sandwich that blends two of the best flavors. It is a fusion of Middle Eastern zaatar and mozzarella cheese sandwiched in toasted sourdough bread.
The fragrant zaatar becomes evident once grilled, and it is perfectly infused with cheese to form the perfect blend of flavors. With every delightful bite, your mouth will water, and your taste buds will tingle with this unique blend.
Zaatar Grilled Cheese offers a delightful fusion of flavors and textures that can satisfy your taste buds in a truly unique and delicious way. Whether you’re a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine or just looking to explore new flavors, this sandwich is bound to become a favorite.
Crispy, Savory, and Utterly Addictive
Ingredients
Sourdough toast
Mozzarella cheese
Ackawi or Nabulsi cheese
Zaatar
Aleppo pepper (optional)
Butter
Salt
Scroll for the entire detailed recipe ingredients and instructions.
Why Will You Absolutely Love Zaatar Grilled Cheese Sandwich?
This zaatar grilled cheese sandwich is so quick and easy to make. Its minimal prep and cooking time make it perfect for a satisfying snack when hunger strikes and you can’t seem to wait any longer. It is the perfect choice when you are in a rush.
The ingredients for this sandwich are available in almost every Middle Eastern household. Cheese, zaatar, and toast are simple and available ingredients for making this perfect snack from scratch.
It is an excellent choice for a flavorful sandwich, that takes the regular grilled cheese and upgrades it to the next level. This savory sandwich will satisfy all your senses, effortlessly elevating your comfort food.
Zaatar’s Secret Is Out!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely! While the classic version typically includes zaatar spice and olive oil, you can add ingredients like fresh vegetables, cheese, or even grilled chicken to suit your taste preferences.
Yes, you can easily create a vegan Zaatar Grilled Sandwich by using plant-based and vegan cheese in your sandwich. Naturally, zaatar is vegan-friendly as it contains herb blends and sesame seeds.
Yes, you can find gluten-free flatbreads or bread alternatives to make a gluten-free Zaatar Grilled Sandwich. Additionally, ensure that the zaatar spice blend you use is gluten-free or make your own.
Zaatar Grilled Sandwich Perfection
Tips for the Best Zaatar Grilled Cheese
To make the best Zaatar Grilled Cheese sandwiches you need to make sure to buy a high-quality zaatar blend. If you only have a store-bought zaatar blend, you can add pure zaatar, extra sesame seeds, and some sumac to improve flavor.
You can also make your own zaatar mix at home and experiment with different flavors, this way you can control what you put in the blend.
Make sure to spread the zaatar evenly on the toast, this will ensure a consistent flavor in every bite.
You can also make your sandwich extra crispy by pressing on it with a panini press. This ensures the sandwich has a crispy exterior while keeping the fillings warm and gooey.
Include ingredients with different textures, like crunchy cucumber or crispy lettuce, to create a satisfying contrast. If you’re grilling in a pan, apply pressure from another pan or a cast-iron skillet to get that ideal crispy crust.
Incorporate a kick of heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into your zaatar sandwich. You can also garnish your sandwich with fresh herbs like mint, basil, or parsley for a burst of freshness and color.
Where Comfort Food Meets Middle Eastern Flair
Must-Try Recipes:
Crispy Cheese Borek (Turkish Cheese Rolls)
Middle Eastern Cheese Fatayer (Cheese Pies)
Grilled Halloumi And Orzo Salad
Zaatar and Cheese Breakfast Bake
Sfeeha Yafawiyeh (Spiral Meat Pies)
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Zaatar Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 slices Sourdough toast
- 6 slices Mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices Ackawi or Nabulsi cheese thinly cut
- 4 tablespoons Zaatar divided
- Aleppo pepper optional
- 6 tabelspoons Butter room temperature
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- If the Ackawi or Nabulsi cheese comes in a water brine, wash and soak in cold water to get rid of the excess salt.
- Mix 4 tablespoons of the softened butter with 2 tablespoons of zaatar to make zaatar butter. If you are using Aleppo pepper, you can add it here as well.
- Divide and spread the zaatar butter equally among the 4 slices of toast. The buttered side will be the outside layer.
- To the inner part of the toast, add 2 slices mozzarella cheese and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of zaatar. Top with the 2 slices of Ackawi or Nabulsi cheese and then add a slice of mozzarella.
- Close the toast, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to a pan, and let it melt on high heat.
- Add your 2 toast sandwiches, zaatar butter side down then lower the heat to low.
- Cover the pan and let it cook for 1-2 minutes before flipping. It should be golden, and the cheese should be melted.
- Flip and toast the other side before removing. If you like a saltier taste, feel free to add a sprinkle of salt on top of your cheese.
Notes
- To make the best Zaatar Grilled Cheese sandwiches you need to make sure to buy a high-quality zaatar blend. If you only have a store-bought zaatar blend, you can add pure zaatar, extra sesame seeds, and some sumac to improve flavor.
- You can also make your own zaatar mix at home and experiment with different flavors, this way you can control what you put in the blend.
- Make sure to spread the zaatar evenly on the toast, this will ensure a consistent flavor in every bite.
- You can also make your sandwich extra crispy by pressing on it with a panini press. This ensures the sandwich has a crispy exterior while keeping the fillings warm and gooey.
- Include ingredients with different textures, like crunchy cucumber or crispy lettuce, to create a satisfying contrast. If you’re grilling in a pan, apply the pressure of another pan or a cast-iron skillet to get that ideal crispy crust.
- Incorporate a kick of heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into your zaatar sandwich. You can also garnish your sandwich with fresh herbs like mint, basil, or parsley for a burst of freshness and color.
Yum. Yum. Yum.
Full disclosure: I had to improvise with cheese that we had on hand. We always have zaatar….anyway iused provolone cheese. Did everything else according to the recipe. My husband asked for it again tomorrow