Lemon Za’atar Roasted Potatoes are an easy 6 ingredient side dish filled with amazing flavor. These Middle Eastern-inspired crispy potatoes are seasoned with za’atar, bright lemon, and cayenne pepper for a hint of spice.
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A first came across za’atar in a small spice jar at Whole Foods. I had heard about it before and I wanted to try it. Trying new herbs and spices is always fun and especially those that come from the Middle East. I instantly loved it and my nephew called it ‘zat-zat’! Lol.
Ever since I first bought it, I’ve been looking for ways to use za’atar in my favorite recipes. It’s amazing on chicken or lamb and used as a seasoning on crispy potatoes, it just takes them to the next level of deliciousness!
What is za’atar?
Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend made of dried hyssop, dried sumac, toasted sesame seeds, and sea salt. Sometimes the actual za’atar herb is used and other varieties can contain dried oregano, thyme, cumin, or marjoram.
If you never had za’atar before it tastes herby and tangy with a little crunch from the toasted sesame seeds. It tastes great on almost anything. I find that za’atar works well roasted with vegetables, potatoes, and meats. You could also add it to hummus, or to olive oil as a dip for a crusty loaf of bread.
Key ingredients in Lemon Za’atar Roasted Potatoes
Za’atar – It can be a little hard to find za’atar at many grocery stores. I found it at Whole Foods a few times but they never carried it again. So I bought Jamie Geller’s Za’atar spice blend from Amazon. It has a very nice flavor, it wasn’t too expensive and I use it multiple times a week!
Lemon – You only need just a little bit of lemon juice to give these roasted potatoes a nice tangy flavor!
Russet Potatoes – My preferred potato for roasting. I love that it doesn’t taste sweet when it’s roasted unlike Yukon golds, and they crisp up nicely when cooked in the oven.
Cayenne Pepper – A dash of cayenne pepper gives these oven-roasted potatoes a nice kick of heat!
How to Make Crispy Lemon Za’atar Potatoes
Step 1. Peel and cube the russet potatoes. Rinse them to get off all the starch, then dry them very well.
Step 2. Place potatoes in baking pan with salt, cayenne pepper, za’atar seasoning, lemon juice, and vegetable oil. Mix until everything is coated.
Step 3. Bake in a 400-degree oven for 35 – 45 minutes mixing halfway through until they are tender, crispy, and nicely golden brown. Enjoy!
How to serve za’atar lemon potatoes
- As is with cilantro as a snack
- With scrambled eggs
- Alongside roasted lamb, beef, or chicken
- With Baked Lamb Meatballs
- With Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs instead of mashed potatoes
Kitchen Items You Might Need For This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions —–
Za’atar is a popular Middle Eastern spice mix of dried za’atar or hyssop, dried sumac, toasted sesame seeds, and sea salt. Other variations can also include dried oregano, dried thyme, rosemary, or ground cumin.
Za’atar is a seasoning that can be used on a variety of foods. It’s amazing on roasted beef, chicken, or lamb, roasted carrots, or potatoes, or added to hummus, or an olive oil dip for crusty bread.
Soaking your potatoes before roasting them is a popular method used to get the starch off the potatoes and to help them get crispier in the oven. I don’t usually soak my potato before cooking because it’s an extra step and I don’t usually find that it helps that much.
Normally, I give my potatoes a good rinse, then make sure they are very dry. If they are dry before adding the oil and seasonings, they will always turn out crispy when roasted in the oven!
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Lemon Za’atar Roasted Potatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 russet potatoes medium-sized
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon za’atar seasoning
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Peel and cut russet potatoes into cubes. Rinse in cold water, then dry very well with a kitchen towel or paper towels. This is important because the potatoes will get crispier in the oven if they are dry.
- Put potatoes into a baking dish with salt, cayenne pepper, za’atar seasoning, lemon juice, and vegetable oil. Mix until the potatoes are coated.
- Bake the potatoes for 35 – 45 minutes mixing halfway through until they are tender and golden brown and crispy. Serve with roasted chicken/ beef or a salad. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is automatically generated and should be only used as a rough estimate. This recipe card may contain affiliate links.
