fatteh

Make-Your-Own Fatteh Plate is a beautiful way to serve Fatteh, especially during Ramadan, whether for your family or when hosting guests for dinner. Since there will be other dishes, you may not want to prepare a whole tray of Fatteh and risk having leftovers.

With this method, you can prepare all the ingredients in advance and let everyone customize their own plate. Simply store the prepared ingredients in containers in the fridge, bake or deep-fry the bread and keep it in an airtight container, and have the yogurt sauce ready.

This is perfect for Ramadan, especially if you enjoy eating Fatteh daily. Just place everything—bread, yogurt sauce, and toppings—in small bowls, and let each person assemble their own plate with the ingredients they love. It’s a fun and beautiful way to serve Fatteh!

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what is fatteh?

Fatteh is a popular Middle Eastern dish made of layers of crispy pita bread, creamy yogurt sauce, chickpeas, and a variety of toppings such as spiced meat, chicken, shrimp, nuts, and pomegranate seeds.

The name “Fatteh” comes from the Arabic word “fatt”, meaning “to crumble” or “break apart,” referring to the crispy bread base that is an essential part of the dish.

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why you should serve fatteh this way?

Perfect for Gatherings – A Make-Your-Own Fatteh setup is ideal for Ramadan, dinner parties, or family meals. Guests can customize their plates exactly how they like.

Prevents Waste – Instead of making a large tray that might go uneaten, this method ensures everyone takes only what they’ll eat, reducing leftovers.

Keeps Ingredients Fresh – When Fatteh is pre-assembled, the bread can become soggy. Serving everything separately keeps the crispy bread, yogurt, and toppings fresh until the last bite.

More Variety – Offering different proteins (chicken, beef, shrimp) and toppings allows everyone to create their own unique combination, catering to different tastes and dietary preferences.

Easier Meal Prep – You can prepare all the components in advance and store them separately, making it quick to assemble whenever needed.

Fun and Interactive – Letting each person build their own Fatteh makes the meal more enjoyable and personal. It’s a great way to engage kids and guests in the dining experience!

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Fatteh ingredients

for the crunchy pita bread

Pita breads, cut into circles (I typically cut each bread into 6 circles)

Vegetable oil, for deep frying the bread

Filling and topping

Pomegranate seeds, offering a burst of sweetness and color

Cooked chickpeas 1 cup 

Yogurt sauce (see recipe below), for a creamy base

Shredded chicken (see recipe below), for a savory option

Spiced cooked ground beef (see recipe below), adding rich flavor

Shrimp (see recipe below), for a lighter protein choice

Toasted nuts, providing extra crunch

Chopped parsley, to garnish and add freshness

For the Yogurt Sauce:

Garlic clove, giving it a savory depth

Yogurt, for a creamy base

Tahini, adding richness

Dried mint, for a refreshing flavor

For the Spiced Ground Beef:

Black pepper, for a mild heat
(Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking for a personalized flavor.)

Ground beef, as the main protein

Olive oil, for sautéing

Salt , to enhance the flavors

Cinnamon , adding warmth and depth

7 spice, contributing a fragrant kick

For the Chicken:

Olive oil, for moisture and richness

Cooked shredded chicken, as the main protein

Sumac, adding a tangy and citrusy flavor

For the Shrimp:

Minced garlic clove, bringing in aromatic depth

Shrimp, providing a light and tender protein

Olive oil, for sautéing

Salt, to enhance the flavor

Paprika, adding a smoky touch

Black pepper, for a mild kick

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How to make fatteh

Step 1: Prepare the Bread

Cut pita bread into small squares.

Choose your preferred method to crisp them up:

Deep-fry for a rich, crunchy texture.

Bake for a lighter option.

Air-fry for a crispy and healthy alternative.

Set aside to cool in an airtight container to maintain crispiness.

Step 2: Make the Yogurt Sauce

In a bowl, mix plain yogurt with a spoonful of tahini.

Add a little minced garlic, dried mint, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Stir well until smooth.

Step 3: Choose and Prepare Your Protein

You can use one or more proteins depending on your preference:

Spiced Ground Beef: Cook ground beef in a pan with olive oil, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and 7-spice. Stir until browned and fragrant.

Shredded Chicken: Cook or use pre-cooked chicken, shred it, and toss with olive oil and sumac.

Shrimp: Sauté shrimp in olive oil with garlic, salt, paprika, and black pepper until pink and cooked through.

Step 4: Prepare Additional Toppings

Chickpeas: Use cooked chickpeas as a hearty base.

Toasted Nuts: Fry or toast almonds, pine nuts, or cashews until golden.

Chopped Parsley: Finely chop fresh parsley for a fresh touch.

Pomegranate Seeds: Add a pop of color and sweetness.

Eggplant (Optional): Dice and fry or air-fry until golden.

Step 5: Assemble Your Fatteh

Since this is a “Make-Your-Own” setup, arrange everything in separate bowls:

1. Crispy bread

2. Yogurt sauce

3. Protein options (beef, chicken, shrimp)

4. Chickpeas

5. Toppings (nuts, parsley, pomegranate, eggplant)

Each person can now assemble their own bowl by layering crispy bread, yogurt sauce, protein, chickpeas, and toppings as they like.

Enjoy your delicious, personalized Fatteh!

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Frequently Asked Questions for making best fatteh

1. Can I prepare the ingredients in advance?

Yes! You can make the yogurt sauce, cook the proteins, and prepare the toppings ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. The crispy bread should be kept in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crunchiness.

2. What’s the best way to keep the bread crispy?

After frying, baking, or air-frying, let the bread cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. Avoid refrigerating it, as moisture can make it soggy.

3. Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Simply skip the meat and shrimp and use chickpeas, fried eggplant, and extra nuts for protein and texture.

4. What can I substitute for tahini in the yogurt sauce?

If you don’t have tahini, you can leave it out or replace it with a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness.

5. How do I adjust the yogurt sauce if it’s too thick or too thin?

• If too thick, add a little water or lemon juice and mix until it reaches your desired consistency.

• If too thin, add more yogurt or a spoonful of tahini.

6. Can I make this dish healthier?

Yes! Use whole wheat pita, bake or air-fry the bread instead of deep-frying, and use lean meats. You can also add extra veggies like cucumbers or roasted bell peppers.

7. How do I serve this for a large gathering?

Arrange all ingredients in separate bowls on a large serving tray and let guests assemble their own plates. This keeps everything fresh and allows each person to customize their Fatteh.

8. Can I store leftovers?

Yes! Store each component separately. Once assembled, Fatteh gets soggy. Keep the yogurt sauce, toppings, and proteins in separate containers in the fridge for freshness.

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Tips and Tricks

Bread Tips:

For extra crunch: Cut the pita into small squares and let them dry out for a few hours before frying or baking.

To prevent sogginess: Add crispy bread on top instead of at the bottom, or serve it separately so everyone can add it as they eat.

Yogurt Sauce Tips:

For a smooth texture: Whisk the yogurt well or blend it for a silky consistency.

For extra flavor: Let the yogurt sauce sit in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving to enhance the garlic and mint flavors.

If the sauce is too thick: Thin it out with a little water or lemon juice.

Protein Tips:

juicy chicken: Use bone-in chicken for cooking, then shred it—this keeps it moist and flavorful.

extra flavor: Sauté the shredded chicken in olive oil and sumac for a tangy twist.

the best beef: Cook ground beef over medium heat, stirring often, so it stays tender and doesn’t dry out.

perfectly cooked shrimp: Cook shrimp just until pink—overcooked shrimp turn rubbery.

Topping Tips:

crunch: Toast nuts in a dry pan or with a little oil until golden brown.

fresh touch: Use finely chopped parsley or mint to brighten up the dish.

sweet balance: Pomegranate seeds add a pop of color and a slight sweetness that complements the savory flavors.

Assembly & Serving Tips:

For a visually appealing spread: Use small bowls to separate ingredients and arrange them neatly on a large tray.

For guests: Let everyone assemble their own plate so they can customize it to their taste.

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More fatteh recipes to make

Mini Fatteh cups

Musakhan fatteh

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product links

Glass pot with Side Handle 

small glass bowls

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