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Fatteh, a beloved Middle Eastern dish, is made from a combination of crispy pita chips, seasoned chickpeas, and a flavorful tahini yogurt sauce.
Often served as a hearty breakfast or a comforting appetizer, this recipe offers a fulfilling meatless option that’s ready in just 20 minutes.
If you love Middle Eastern breakfast recipes such as Creamy Middle Eastern Oatmeal Recipe, Easy Shakshuka With Feta, Cilbir (Turkish Eggs With Yogurt Sauce), and Menemen (Turkish scrambled eggs and tomatoes), today’s recipe is for you. Fatteh is a delicious classic that’s made with a few simple ingredients.
Table of Contents
- Recipe Highlights: Fatteh
- What Is Fatteh?
- Why You’ll Love This Fatteh Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- How to Make this Recipe
- Serving Suggestions
- Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- Variations and Substitutions
- Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Other Middle Eastern Recipes You Must Try:
- Easy Fatteh with Chickpeas and Crispy Pita Recipe
Recipe Highlights: Fatteh
Cultural Influence: Middle Eastern
Preparation Technique: Layering
Suitable for: Vegetarian
Signature Taste: Savory with a hint of tanginess and a creamy finish
Skill Level Required: Beginner-friendly
What Is Fatteh?
Fatteh is a traditional dish with deep roots in Levantine cuisine, particularly in countries like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. Its historical background traces back to ancient times, when the Levant region was a crossroads of cultures and trade routes.
While the exact origins of fatteh are not precisely documented, it is believed to have originated as a way to utilize leftover bread, which was often dried or toasted to prolong its shelf life. Like fattoush, this clever method of repurposing stale bread evolved into what is now known as fatteh, a dish characterized by layers of bread, chickpeas, yogurt, and various toppings.
Today, fatteh remains a beloved dish in the Levant and beyond, celebrated for its rich flavors, comforting textures, and historical significance in Middle Eastern culinary heritage.
Why You’ll Love This Fatteh Recipe
Easy preparation: Fatteh is very easy to prepare. Simply prepare the ingredients and layer them.
Versatile: You can enjoy this dish for breakfast, as an appetizer, or as a vegetarian main course.
Flavorful fusion: Each bite is a delightful blend of textures and tastes. You’ve got the creamy tahini yogurt sauce with crispy pita and hearty chickpeas, coming together into a beautiful combination.
Key Ingredients
- Chickpeas: I used canned chickpeas in my recipe. You can cook dried chickpeas from scratch for a fresher taste.
- Water: Adjust the water quantity based on the desired consistency; less water yields a thicker yogurt sauce.
- Cumin: Cumin enhances the flavor.
- Pita Bread: Toast the pita until golden and crispy for added texture and flavor. You can deep fry or air-fry the pita too.
- Yogurt: Use Greek yogurt for a thicker consistency or regular yogurt for a lighter texture.
- Tahini: Ensure the tahini is well-mixed before measuring, and add more for a richer taste. You can use my homemade tahini recipe or purchase one from Middle Eastern shops.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides brightness; adjust to taste preference.
- Garlic: Mince the garlic finely or grate it for a subtle garlic flavor.
- Salt: Adjust salt to taste.
- Black pepper: It adds a subtle kick; adjust the amount based on preference.
- Slivered almonds: Toast the almonds for extra crunch and flavor, or substitute with other nuts like pine nuts.
- Olive oil: Use extra-virgin olive oil for its rich flavor; drizzle over the finished dish for added richness if desired.
- Parsley: Use fresh parsley leaves for a pop of color and freshness.
How to Make this Recipe
Step 1: Simmer the Chickpeas
In a saucepan, combine the canned chickpeas with water and add cumin. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the chickpeas to absorb the flavors of the cumin. Once cooked, drain the chickpeas and set them aside.
Step 2: Toast Pita Bread
Tear the pita bread into bite-sized pieces. Preheat the oven to a high temperature, then place the pita bread directly on the oven rack or a baking sheet. Bake for a few minutes until the bread is crisp and golden brown.
Step 3: Whisk the Yogurt Sauce
In a mixing bowl, combine the yogurt with tahini, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Stir everything together until the ingredients are well incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Toast the Slivered Almonds
In a small skillet, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and toast them until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them as they can quickly burn.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Start by arranging the crispy pita chips in a single layer on a serving platter or individual plates.
Next, spoon the spiced chickpeas over the pita chips, distributing them evenly.
Then, drizzle the garlicky yogurt sauce generously over the chickpeas and pita chips.
Now, garnish with fresh parsley and sprinkle the toasted almonds over the top for added crunch and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Fatteh pairs wonderfully with various Middle Eastern dishes and complementary sides. Here are some of my favorite pairings:
- Mutabal Recipe (Middle Eastern Eggplant Dip)
- Tabouli Salad Recipe (Tabbouleh)
- Fattoush Salad Recipe
- Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- Spicy Grilled Chicken Wings
Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- Crispy pita bread: Toast fresh pita bread until golden and crispy for enhanced texture and flavor. Assemble the fatteh just before serving to maintain the crunchiness of the pita chips and prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Creamy garlic sauce: Use Greek yogurt to achieve a thicker and creamier consistency in the garlic sauce.
- Flavor boosters: Sprinkle sumac or paprika on top for an additional burst of flavor and visual appeal.
- Infused chickpeas: Allow the chickpeas to simmer in the spices for a few minutes to maximize flavor absorption.
- Fresh herb garnish: Garnish generously with fresh herbs like parsley or mint to add brightness and freshness to the dish.
Variations and Substitutions
Bread Alternatives: While traditional fatteh uses pita bread, you can switch it up by using naan or lavash.
Toasting pita bread: There are several methods to prepare pita bread for fatteh, each offering a unique texture and flavor profile:
Frying in Olive Oil: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cut the pita bread into wedges or tear it into pieces, then fry in the hot oil until crispy and golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Air Frying: Cut the pita bread into wedges or tear it into pieces, then arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes until the bread is crispy and golden brown.
Nutty Crunch: Instead of slivered almonds, try using other nuts like pine nuts for a different texture and flavor profile.
Meat Fatteh: Add cooked and shredded chicken, lamb, or beef on top of the chickpeas for a heartier version of fatteh.
Eggplant fatteh: Eggplant fatteh is a delicious twist on the traditional Middle Eastern dish, replacing chickpeas with roasted eggplant for a rich and smoky flavor. Simply fry, roast or grill slices of eggplant until tender and golden brown, then layer them with crispy pita chips, creamy yogurt sauce, and a flavorful tahini drizzle.
Storage
Fatteh is best served right after assembly with no leftovers. However, if you have leftovers, it’s best to separate the components if possible. Store the crispy pita chips in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crunchiness.
Keep the seasoned chickpeas and yogurt sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, assemble the fatteh just before serving to ensure the pita chips stay crunchy and don’t become soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
While fatteh is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the crispy pita, yogurt sauce and the chickpeas ahead of time and assembled just before serving to save time. However, it’s important to keep the pita bread separate until ready to serve to prevent it from becoming soggy.
Yes, Fatteh can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pita bread or substituting it with another gluten-free bread option.
Greek yogurt or any thick, strained yogurt works well for fatteh as it provides a creamy texture to the sauce.
Absolutely! You can substitute Arabic-style pita with other types of bread, like regular pita or thicker flatbread. Simply cut them into small pieces and toast until crispy. Store-bought pita chips can also be used if you prefer to skip the toasting step
Fatteh can be served as either a main dish or an appetizer, depending on the portion size and accompanying dishes. It’s often enjoyed for breakfast but can also be served in smaller portions as part of a mezze spread or appetizer platter.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!
Other Middle Eastern Recipes You Must Try:
Vegetarian
Ful Medames Recipe (Egyptian Fava Beans)
Vegetarian
The Best Middle Eastern Eggplant Recipe
Mediterranean recipes
Zaatar Manakish (Manakeesh)
Mediterranean recipes
Easy Homemade Hummus Recipe
Easy Fatteh with Chickpeas and Crispy Pita
Ingredients
Chickpeas
- 1 can Chickpeas, 15 oz.
- 1½ cups Water
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
Yogurt Sauce
- 1½ cups Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Tahini
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Pepper
Garnish
- ¼ cup Slivered almonds
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Parsley, chopped
Instructions
Prepare the chickpeas:
- In a saucepan, combine the canned chickpeas with water and add cumin. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the chickpeas to absorb the flavors of the cumin. Once cooked, drain the chickpeas and set them aside.
Toast the pitas:
- Tear the pita bread into bite-sized pieces. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat and toast the pita pieces until golden and crispy. Alternatively, you can toast them in the oven or air fryer at 350 degrees F for 5 to 8 minutes (keep an eye so they won't burn). If toasting in the oven or the air fryer, make sure to arrange them in one single layer.
Prepare the yogurt sauce:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the yogurt with tahini, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until the ingredients are well incorporated and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Toast the slivered almonds:
- In a small skillet, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds and toast them until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Keep a close eye on them as they can quickly burn.
Assemble:
- Start by arranging the crispy pita chips in a single layer on a serving platter or individual plates. Next, spoon the spiced chickpeas over the pita chips, distributing them evenly. Then, drizzle the garlicky yogurt sauce generously over the chickpeas and pita chips. Finally, sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds over the top for added crunch and flavor.
- Finish the fatteh by garnishing it with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve the fatteh immediately while it's still warm.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love this Fatteh recipe, looks so delicious and creamy, will make this soon, never tried it before. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love this light and healthy version of hummus. It’s full of flavor and so easy to make.
I made this fatteh with dinner last night and it was delicious! Full of flavor and filling!
I loved this! I had it for lunch and it was so filling and flavorful.
I love these bold flavors combined with the rich creaminess of the yogurt. SUCH a delicious recipe!
What an interesting recipe! Chickpeas are so good for you and low in calories, too. Can’t wait to try it.
this Fatteh was so delicious! Loved having it with our Mediterranean themed meal last night.
I love chickpeas, so this was a fantastic recipe for me! Nice and filling but also pretty healthy–one of my favorite combos 🙂