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Labneh with Olive Oil and Za’atar

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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Sour, creamy and buttery, you will love this easy Lebanese appetizer of labneh with olive oil and sprinkled with za’atar.

Scooping labneh with olive oil and za'atar.

Za’atar is one of those ingredients that I always have on hand. I grew up eating it and as an adult, I continue to use it to season meals such as Za’atar Roasted Cauliflower Steaks, Za’atar Spiced Grilled Chicken and Crispy Baked Pita Chips with Za’atar. This labneh dip is one of my favorite snacks and also makes a great appetizer for dinner parties or casual entertaining. It’s even delicious spread on a breakfast pita with labneh.

Labneh with Olive Oil and Za’atar is an easy entry to the delicious world of Middle Eastern cuisine. Labneh can be found at most mainstream grocers, or you can make it yourself! I love to top it with my Roasted Beets with Orange and Rosemary.

Why You’ll Love this Labneh with Olive Oil and Za’atar

  • Made with less than 5 ingredients, you can make it in less than 5 minutes!
  • It’s such a simple side dish or appetizer, making it a great choice for family dinners or parties.
  • It’s an easy way to branch into Middle Eastern foods and flavors.

Ingredients

  • Labneh: Middle Eastern strained yogurt, it is similar to Greek yogurt but thicker in consistency and richer in flavor.
  • Olive oil: Silky, smooth, and mild in flavor, it pairs wonderfully with the tangy labneh.
  • Za’atar: Having an earthy and savory taste, it’s usually a spice blend of za’atar, sumac, sesame seeds, salt, and other spices.

HOw to Make Labneh with Olive OIl and Za’atar

Step 1. Lay your labneh out on a dish or platter, in a wide and somewhat thin layer. Sprinkle with the za’atar.

Step 2. Drizzle the olive oil all over the top. The dish instead of a bowl helps to get an even mix of ingredients in every bite.

Labneh with olive oil and za'atar.

Serve with Pita and enjoy your Labneh with Olive Oil and Za’atar!

Frequently asked questions

What is labneh made of?

Labneh is essentially a soft cheese made from yogurt and salt.

Can you eat labneh by itself?

Of course! I just like to spice it up a bit more before serving.

What do you serve labneh with?

I serve it with my easy-as-can-be Baked Pita Chips, but it is also delicious with sesame crackers, lavash bread, or fresh veggies like cucumbers, peppers, and carrots.

More Appetizers

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Make it for a large group, or just serve some up for yourself for a quick and delicious snack. You’ll enjoy this tasty Labneh with Olive Oil and Za’atar either way!

No fork required.

Labneh with Olive Oil and Za’atar

4.67 stars average
Sour, creamy and buttery, you will love this easy appetizer of labneh drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with za’atar.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serves16
CourseAppetizer
Calories111

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups labneh
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons za’atar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Baked Pita Chips with Za’atar fresh pita bread or veggies for serving

Instructions
 

  1. Spread labneh out in a thin layer on a medium serving platter or large plate. It’s important to spread out in a thin layer as opposed to serving in a bowl so that every bite gets a bit of the spices and olive oil.
    2 cups labneh
  2. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with za’atar and salt.
    1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons za’atar, 1 teaspoon salt
  3. Serve with pita chips, veggies or fresh pita bread.
    Baked Pita Chips with Za’atar

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 2gFat: 8.4gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4.9gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 173mgSugar: 1g

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.67 from 9 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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55 responses to “Labneh with Olive Oil and Za’atar”

  1. Gaby Avatar
    Gaby

    I could snack on this all day long!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It’s the best snack!! xo

  2. Meagan @ A Zesty Bite Avatar
    Meagan @ A Zesty Bite

    I love coming here because I’m always being introduced to new foods. Never heard of labneh and not sure how to pronounce it but I can tell I already love it.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Aww thank you so much!! If you find it, grab it and try it!!!

  3. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl Avatar
    Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl

    So addicting and delicious.. I’d just keep on snacking!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      That’s exactly what I did!!

  4. Heidi @foodiecrush Avatar
    Heidi @foodiecrush

    Give me a creamy dip and I don’t care how you pronounce it. Dipping fantastic.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You would love this, Heidi!! Nice pun. ;-)

  5. Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch Avatar
    Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch

    This looks great! Perfect for casual summer gatherings!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      It is perfect for entertaining! It actually tastes better as it comes to room temp, similar to cheese. :)

  6. eat good 4 life Avatar
    eat good 4 life

    I think I could eat the entire bowl all by myself :-) I love the flavors in this!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m pretty sure I ate this whole plate…. :)

  7. Christine from Cook the Story Avatar
    Christine from Cook the Story

    I bet this is very addicting!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Extremely addicting….

  8. Baby June Avatar
    Baby June

    I’ve never tried that kind of yogurt, but it sounds amazing. I’ll have to look for it! And this recipe–mmm, all those luscious, exotic flavors. :)

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Let me know if you find it!!! You won’t regret it!

  9. Cassie Avatar
    Cassie

    Drooling into my coffee this morning over this one!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      You know what’s funny?? It’s customarily eaten at breakfast with eggs and coffee! :)

  10. Laura (Blogging Over Thyme) Avatar
    Laura (Blogging Over Thyme)

    I love labneh! Give me a bowl of those pita chips and I could totally go to town with this.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I love that you know what it is!!