Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (2024)

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Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (1)

Crunchy, flavorful, savory… What’s not to love?! This Egyptian-inspired dukkah is a delicious and easy spice mix that adds instant flavor and nutrition to nearly any dish! We love it on roasted vegetables, salads, avocado toast, dips, bowls, and more!

While hazelnuts are most commonly used in dukkah, we found pepitas to be equally delicious, simpler, more affordable, and suitable for nut-free eaters too. Just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes required, friends! Let us show you how it’s done!

Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (2)

What is Dukkah Seasoning?

Dukkah is a spice, herb, and nut-based mixture that originated in Egypt and is also popular in other Middle Eastern countries. The ingredients vary by recipe, but common ingredients include hazelnuts, sesame seeds, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper.

Unlike typical spice mixes that are finely ground, dukkah has a unique, coarse texture. The following is our inspired, nut-free version made with pepitas for added nutrition.

How to Make Dukkah

It begins with lightly toasting the pepitas and spices to enhance their flavors. Side effect of this step: Your kitchen will smell amazing!

Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (3)

Next, we add the lightly toasted mixture plus salt to a mortar and pestle and begin lightly pounding to break up the spices until a coarse texture is achieved.

Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (4)

It can also be made in a small food processor or in a larger food processor if making a larger batch.

Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (5)

We hope you LOVE this dukkah seasoning. It’s:

Crunchy
Salty
Wholesome
An instant flavor boost
& SO quick & easy!

Dukkah is a simple way to add complex flavor to an otherwise more basic dish. It’s amazing on hummus, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, salads, and more!

More DIY Spice Blends

  • Za’atar
  • DIY Shawarma Spice Blend
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning
  • DIY Curry Powder

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo@minimalistbakeron Instagram. Cheers, friends!

Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (6)

Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired)

Egyptian-inspired dukkah seasoning made with pumpkin seeds and fragrant whole spices. Perfect for sprinkling on roasted vegetables, salads, bowls, and avocado toast. Just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes required!

Author Minimalist Baker

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Cook Time 4 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 12 (~1 tsp servings)

Course Spice Blend

Cuisine Egyptian-Inspired, Gluten-Free, Vegan

Freezer Friendly No

Does it keep? 3 Months

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

  • 2 Tbsp raw pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds // or sub roasted hazelnuts or almonds*)
  • 1 Tbsp raw sesame seeds (if using toasted, add directly to mortar and pestle)
  • 1 Tbsp whole coriander seeds*
  • 2 tsp whole cumin seeds*
  • 1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns*
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  • Heat a small to medium skillet over low-medium heat. Add pepitas and toast, stirring occasionally, until they begin to pop and puff up slightly — about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.

  • Add sesame seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns and toast, stirring frequently, until fragrant and the sesame seeds begin turning light brown — about 2 minutes. Transfer to a mortar and pestle (or small food processor).

  • Add salt and crush (or pulse) the mixture into a coarse meal, making sure to break up any whole peppercorns. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more salt to taste, cumin seeds for smokiness, coriander seeds for brightness, or sesame seeds or pepitas for crunch.

  • Perfect for garnishing roasted vegetables, salads, bowls, avocado toast, dips; marinating or seasoning chicken or fish; or adding flavor to just about any dish.

  • Let cool fully before transferring to a jar. Will keep in a sealed container for at least 3 months (or longer) at room temperature. Or, refrigerate to keep fresh even longer.

Notes

*We preferred the taste and ease of pepitas, but hazelnuts or almonds are also delicious. If using roasted hazelnuts or almonds, add them in step 2 to warm slightly without over toasting.
*We highly recommend using whole spices for the right texture and flavor, but if you want to create something similar with ground spices, use half the amount of ground coriander, cumin, and black pepper.
*Recipe as written makes ~1/4 cup dukkah.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.

Nutrition (1 of 12 servings)

Serving: 1 teaspoon Calories: 11 Carbohydrates: 0.6 g Protein: 0.4 g Fat: 0.9 g Saturated Fat: 0.1 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 50 mg Potassium: 19 mg Fiber: 0.3 g Sugar: 0 g Vitamin A: 5 IU Vitamin C: 0 mg Calcium: 7 mg Iron: 0.3 mg

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @minimalistbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #minimalistbaker so we can see all the deliciousness!

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rating!

All commentsI made this

  1. Kelsey says

    My food processor is quite large, so the blades didn’t pick up the smaller ingredients on first try. Easy fix though – the peppercorns, whole coriander seeds & whole cumin seeds went into an emptied out normal pepper grinder. Worked a treat, crushed them up into small bits before re-adding to the barrel. We made a large batch to divide up into little jars as xmas gifts.

    Reply

    • Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (13)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Great idea! Thanks so much for sharing, Kelsey. xo

      Reply

  2. VickyMcD says

    This literally takes five minutes…after you find all your ingredients! Had sprouted, dried pepitas already (from Costco), did not have whole coriander but used half the amount of ground as suggested, and used my coffee grinder. Delicious!

    Reply

    • Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (14)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Vicky. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo

      Reply

  3. Ruba says

    Dukkah originated in Gaza, Palestine and though there’s been many countries that tried to replicate the original recipe nothing comes close to the original recipe from Gaza as it requires very specific measurements of spices and hours and hours of roasting.

    Reply

    • Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (15)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Thank you for sharing, Ruba! We hadn’t seen that in our search on the origin story. Always love hearing our readers expertise =)

      Reply

Super Simple Dukkah Seasoning (Egyptian-Inspired) (2024)

FAQs

What is dukkah seasoning made of? ›

Dukkah (also spelled duqqa) is a Middle Eastern and Egyptian nut, seed, and spice blend. The exact ingredients tend to vary, though various toasted nuts, sesame seeds, coriander, and cumin are among the most common additions.

What's the difference between dukkah and zaatar? ›

Dukkah and za'atar both come from the Middle Eastern region and have slight similarities. While some of the ingredients of the two spice mixes are the same, za'atar is made with more ground herbs, such as thyme and oregano, while dukkah is primarily seeds and nuts.

What can I use instead of dukkah spice mix? ›

If you'd like to use whole spices: Substitute 1 tablespoon each whole coriander and cumin, and add them to the skillet when you add the sesame seeds. Make it nut free: This is a stretch, but you could substitute raw sunflower seeds and pepitas for the nuts.

What country did dukkah come from? ›

Dukkah (duqqa), pronounced doo-kah, is a traditional Egyptian blend of nuts, seeds, and warm spices. It's been around since the age of ancient Egypt, but it is now widely popular throughout the Middle East and the world (you may have even found a little jar of it at your local grocery store).

What is dukkah in Arabic? ›

Dukkah is also written as 'duqqa,' 'do'ah,' and 'du'ah' and derives from the Arabic root meaning 'to crush.

How to make Egyptian doa? ›

Ingredients
  1. 1/3 cup (45.67 g) Roasted Mixed Nuts.
  2. 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) Coriander Seeds.
  3. 1 tablespoon (1 tablespoon) sesame seeds.
  4. 1.5 teaspoons (1.5 teaspoons) Cumin seeds.
  5. 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Kosher Salt.
  6. 1/4 teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) Ground Black Pepper.
Jun 12, 2019

Do Egyptians eat Zaatar? ›

Za'atar, both the herb and the condiment, is popular in Algeria, Armenia, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey.

Is dukkah healthy? ›

The health benefits of Dukkah are many, thanks to the varied range of spices contained in the blend. Research suggests that using this type of blend over a prolonged period can help lower the probability of developing cardiovascular diseases as long as it is utilized in nutritional foods and coupled with exercise.

What does dukkah spice taste like? ›

Dukkah is an Egyptian blend of coarsely ground spices, nuts, and seeds that is entirely unique. It's savory, sweet, nutty, and zesty all at the same time and can liven up a variety of dishes. Combine it with a bit of good olive oil and you have the ultimate condiment to dunk crusty bread or warm pita into.

Where is dukkah in the supermarket? ›

Dukkah is an Egyptian mix of roasted nuts, seeds and spices blended together – available in the herb and spice aisle of the supermarket.

What is Palestinian dukkah? ›

Dukkah is a spice blend popular in the Levant and in Egypt. Egyptian dukka uses ground nuts as the canvas for the spice blend while Palestinian Dukka uses wheat berries and legumes as its base. Dukka is usually served with some olive oil and warm pita bread. To eat it you dip the bread in the olive oil then the dukka.

Can I substitute sumac for Zaatar? ›

The BEST Za'atar Substitutes

Use two tablespoons of sesame seeds, one tablespoon of thyme and two teaspoons of sumac or the zest from one lemon. To step it up a notch, add a teaspoon of dried cumin or coriander for some depth and earthiness.

How do you eat Dukkah? ›

Dukkah is a fragrant, roasted spice and nut blend. Traditionally served with olive oil and fresh bread, it is also an aromatic coating for fish, chicken or lamb before grilling. Shopping is temporarily unavailable.

What ethnicity is Zaatar? ›

The delicious green mixture is not simply a flavorful condiment and zesty marinade, but a deeply beloved part of life in the Levant. Za'atar is most commonly consumed in Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Israel.

What is Cornish Dukkah? ›

Just nuts, seeds & delicious spices, Dukkah is a traditional North African spice dip. Suitable for Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free & Dairy Free diets. Highly nutritious (and very delicious!)

Does Trader Joe's have dukkah? ›

Trader Joe's version is a mix of almonds, sesame seeds, fennel seeds, coriander, anise seeds, and salt. It's nutty and warm-tasting, with a bit of a licorice-bite from the fennel and anise.

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