Bread and Pastry, Breakfast and Brunch, Middle Eastern Recipes, Palestinian Cuisine, Sides and Appetizers

Zaatar Rolls

Bread rolls stuffed with za'atar decorated with parsley leaves.

Super soft, super yummy! These Zaatar Rolls are the ultimate savory rolls you can ever have for breakfast, brunch, or as a snack. You can use my special 10-minute dough to make these gems in no time.

Prepare the dough, mix zaatar, and olive oil, then roll them up. You can never go wrong with this recipe. It is so versatile that you could replace zaatar paste with your favorite filling. The result is so delicious.


zaatar rolls topped with labneh and cherry tomatoes
These beautiful rolls will fly off your bread basket in a flash!


You Will Fall in Love with These Zaatar Rolls

Zaatar is a savory combination of dried thyme, marjoram, oregano, sumac, toasted sesame seeds, and salt. It is a staple in the Middle East pantry. You can mix it with olive oil and spread it over pita bread to eat it as a sandwich. It is commonly spread over a round dough and baked in the oven to make manakish, a common breakfast in the Middle East.

To enrich your breakfast table, serve za’atar rolls with Authentic Labneh Balls, Spinach Fatayer, Middle Eastern Cheese Fatayer (Cheese Pies), and Middle Eastern Mint Tea (Shai Bi Na’Na) or Karak Chai. Your family and guests will be amazed by your cooking skills and the variety of flavors in one meal.


bread rolls stuffed with zaatar paste
Dip your rolls in labneh and feel the joy.

Bake It the Way You Like It

Sprinkle some Aleppo pepper, also known as Halaby pepper, to add a tangy, smoky, and a bit spicy flavor to your zaatar rolls.

How about some cheesy rolls? You can sprinkle some shredded mozzarella on top of the zaatar paste before you roll it. You can even stuff some rolls with your favorite cheese and some others with zaatar in the same tray for a variation.

If you like you can drizzle some olive oil or some melted butter on top once you take the tray out of the oven for an extra dense flavor.


spiral rolls made with the ten minute dough and stuffed with a paste of zaatar and olive oil
How beautiful!

Tips You Should Know

If you do not want to cut the dough first, you can roll the dough into a rectangular form, and spread the zaatar paste without reaching the edges. Then, roll it into a log and cut it into mini rolls. Place them in the baking tray and toss them in the oven.

To store the zaatar rolls, allow them to completely cool down. Then, place them in an air-tight container. You can leave them at room temperature for up to 2 days.

You can store them in the fridge for a few more days. If you keep zaatar rolls in freezer-safe bags, they may last for up to 3 months. Upon serving, heat them in the oven for about 15 minutes till they become soft and heated through.

To please a larger crowd, you can double or even triple the ingredients to make two or three baking trays. You can also do so to store them and serve some when you need something tasty and fulfilling.


A baking tray with bread made with ten minute dough and stuffed with za'atar
Best choice any time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast for this dough?

Yes, you can. Add them to the ingredients and it will activate once you add the warm milk.

How can I know if the yeast in my pantry is still active?

First, make sure that it has not expired. Put the yeast in a glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of sugar. If it releases foam, then it is active and you can use it for your recipes. If not, do not use it because your dough will not rise and will not get the airy fluffy texture.

Should I let the rolls rise before putting the baking pan in the oven?

If you used the ten-minute dough, there is no need to leave it to rise. But if you have some extra time, cover it and leave it on the counter for a while.


Golden bread rolls with zaatar filling
Don’t you want to take a bite?

Zaatar Rolls

Zaatar rolls are so light and fluffy. Make them using my 10-minute dough recipe. The flavor of zaatar in these bread rolls is perfect and not overpowering. They are the perfect snack or breakfast with labneh and tomatoes.


What You Need

For the Dough

All-purpose flour

Vegetable oil

Sugar

Yeast

Salt

Baking powder

Powdered milk

Warm milk or water


For the Filling

Zaatar

Olive oil


Beautiful golden spiral bread stuffed with za'atar mixed with olive oil and decorated with green parsley
Best decision any time!

Easy Steps for the Best Zaatar Rolls

To Form the 10-minute Dough

First, start by mixing 2 cups of all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, sugar, baking powder, powdered milk, and salt. Then, add warm water or warm milk to a large bowl.

Then, mix them all together. Cover it, and let it sit in a warm place for 10-15 minutes.

Next, after 10 minutes, add 3 cups of all-purpose flour and the oil to the dough. Mix them well.

Finally, knead it for about 5-10 minutes. It will come together really quickly. For more details, check the Ten Minute Multi-Use Dough recipe.

To Form and Bake the Rolls

First, spread the dough into a large rectangle, about 18×17.

Second, mix zaatar and olive oil together until a thick paste forms, and then spread it all over the dough.

Now, cut the dough into 8 thick strips, and roll each strip from the bottom to the top, making it look like a cinnamon roll.

Finally, place each roll on a parchment paper lined baking pan and bake it at 400 for 18-25 minutes. You will get a bright golden color on the top of each roll. Serve and enjoy!


a baking tray with spiral dough filled with zaatar
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Must-Try Recipes:

Zaatar and Cheese Breakfast Bake

Tender Zaatar Cheese Buns

Spinach Fatayer

Middle Eastern Cheese Fatayer (Cheese Pies)

Authentic Labneh Balls

Date-Filled Brioche Buns

Qatayef Asafiri (Middle Eastern Cream-Filled Pancakes)

Bakery Style Almond Croissants

Authentic Palestinian Knafeh

Chicken Musakhan Sliders


If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.


zaatar rolls topped with labneh and cherry tomatoes.

Zaatar Rolls

Fatimah
Zaatar rolls are so fluffy and tender that you will enjoy them for breakfast or as a snack. With the 10 minute dough, these elegant rolls will be ready in no time.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Breakfast, brunch
Cuisine Mediterranean

Ingredients
  

For the Dough

  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups warm milk or warm water
  • 1-2 tablespoons sugar ¼ cup for a sweeter dough
  • 3 tablespoons powdered milk or omit, and use 2 cups of milk
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the Filling

  • cups zaatar
  • cups olive oil

Instructions
 

To Form the 10 Minute Dough

  • Start by mixing 2 cups of all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, sugar, baking powder, powdered milk, and salt. Then, add warm water or warm milk to a large bowl.
  • Mix them all together. Cover it, and let it sit in a warm place for 10-15 minutes.
  • After 10 minutes, add 3 cups of all-purpose flour and the oil to the dough. Mix them well.
  • Knead it for about 5-10 minutes. It will come together really quickly. For more details, check the Ten Minute Multi-Use Dough recipe.

To Form and Bake the Rolls

  • Spread the dough into a large rectangle, about 18×17.
  • Mix zaatar and olive oil together until a thick paste forms, and then spread it all over the dough.
  • Cut the dough into 8 thick strips, and roll each strip from the bottom to the top, making it look like a cinnamon roll.
  • Place the rolls on a parchment paper lined baking pan and bake it at 400 for 18-25 minutes. You will get a bright golden color on the top of each roll. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • If you do not want to cut the dough first, you can roll the dough into a rectangular form, and spread the zaatar paste leaving without reaching the edges. Then, roll it into a log and cut it into mini rolls. Place them in the baking tray and toss them in the oven.
  • To store the zaatar rolls, allow them to completely cool down. Then, place them in an air-tight container. You can leave them at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • You can store them in the fridge for few more days. If you keep zaatar rolls in freezer-safe bags, they may last up to 3 months. Upon serving, heat them in the oven for about 15 minutes till they become soft and heated through.
  • To please a larger crowd, you can double or even triple the ingredients to make two or three baking trays. You can also do so to store them and serve some when you need something tasty and fulfilling.
Keyword stuffed rolls, za’atar rolls
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

6 thoughts on “Zaatar Rolls

  1. KJ Lakehal says:

    5 stars
    I made these today to have with lentil and tomato soup instead of plain rolls. They were so easy to make and packed with so much flavour! A new family favourite

    1. Fatimah says:

      So glad you loved them!

  2. Lena Azzam says:

    5 stars
    Really cool idea for a recipe! Tried it out, always enjoying zataar creations

  3. Nina says:

    5 stars
    I woke up this morning with za’atar on my mind and these rolls did NOT disappoint. I didn’t have powdered milk so I left that out and used 2 cups of warm milk (instead of warm water) for the dough. I am not particularly good at baking but this dough was so simple and easy to work with, I’m already dreaming about the other fillings I will use with the dough. After about 20 minutes in the oven, I was left with super fluffy rolls that I can’t stop eating 🙊

  4. Lubna says:

    5 stars
    Made these for breakfast today, perfect! I also served it with labaneh as suggested

  5. Eman says:

    5 stars
    I make these all the time! Kid and adult approved.

5 from 5 votes

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