EasyAppetizer
Whipped Labneh Cones with Roasted Grapes & Crispy Sage
Tangy-sweet whipped yogurt in edible tuile cones
532 cal · 13g protein · 24 min
Cuisine & meal · 135 recipes
Middle Eastern-Style Appetizer Recipes
Middle Eastern-inspired appetizer ideas with full method and macros. Every recipe below is from the Delicious.com kitchen, with full method, macros and a one-tap grocery list.
Easy
IntermediateAppetizer
Crispy Eggplant Rounds with Burnt Chili Oil & Whipped Labneh
Burnished thin-sliced eggplant meets tart whipped yogurt and spiced heat
551 cal · 8g protein · 37 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Spiced Lamb Tartare with Pomegranate, Toasted Almond & Crispy Pita
Raw herb-kissed lamb, tart and bright, textured crunch
390 cal · 18g protein · 26 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Ciğer Sarması Revisited: Pan-Seared Lamb Liver & Grape Leaf Packets with Pomegranate Molasses Gastrique & Pistachio Crumble
Delicate lamb liver parcels infused with spiced butter, wrapped in charred grape leaves, with a glossy pomegranate reduction
679 cal · 32g protein · 60 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Cured Lamb Loin Crudo with Burnt Fennel Oil, Black Garlic & Charred Okra Crisp
Paper-thin raw lamb dressed with burnt-sweet aromatics and crispy vegetable shards
688 cal · 51g protein · 40 min
EasyAppetizer
Charred Halloumi & Roasted Red Pepper Phyllo Cups with Burnt Lemon Oil
Crispy golden pastry, warm squeaky cheese, sweet pepper & herb finish
678 cal · 21g protein · 22 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Burnt Garlic & Pomegranate Seed Tart with Whipped Pistachio Ricotta
Herbaceous pastry shell, umami-forward topping, tangy-sweet jeweled finish
903 cal · 21g protein · 36 min
EasyAppetizer
Crispy Chickpea & Burnt Lemon Cones with Charred Tomato Jam & Feta Cream
Crunchy legume cups, caramelized citrus, savory-sweet tomato, cool cheese
493 cal · 19g protein · 20 min
EasyAppetizer
Charred Halloumi Cubes with Fig Jam, Black Olive & Thyme Oil
Warm cheese, sweet-salty jam, herbaceous oil—a Turkish meze moment
669 cal · 26g protein · 18 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Crispy Lamb Kibbeh with Pomegranate Gastrique & Whipped Labne
Spiced meat fritters; tart-sweet glaze; creamy contrast
964 cal · 35g protein · 37 min
EasyAppetizer
Guava Halloumi Bites
Brazil's Romeo and Juliet pairing, but seared and sticky
188 cal · 13g protein · 13 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Fesenjan Meatball Spoons with Herb-Cucumber Relish
Persian walnut-pomegranate stew, shrunk into one bite
647 cal · 40g protein · 40 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Burrata Custard with Charred Levantine Za'atar Oil, Pine Nut Crumble & Roasted Heirloom Tomato Confit
Warm custard, burnt herb oil, toasted seeds, concentrated tomato sweetness
1065 cal · 30g protein · 56 min
EasyAppetizer
Turkish Eggplant Fritters with Yogurt-Herb Drizzle
Pan-fried eggplant cakes, crispy outside, soft within, with cool herbed yogurt
438 cal · 17g protein · 24 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Charred Eggplant & Pomegranate Tartines with Crispy Sage Oil & Whipped Labneh
Whole-grain bread with blistered eggplant, pomegranate molasses, and burnt sage emulsion
485 cal · 11g protein · 40 min
EasyAppetizer
Shiro Crust Beet Carpaccio with Crispy Chickpea Dukkah
Earthy raw beets crowned with nutty chickpea-sesame powder and burnt orange oil
475 cal · 12g protein · 20 min
IntermediateAppetizer
Crispy Saganaki with Charred Fig & Thyme Jam, Pomegranate & Black Sesame
Pan-fried halloumi, fig-thyme preserve & pomegranate molasses glaze with sesame brittle
868 cal · 34g protein · 35 min
EasyAppetizer
Burnt Eggplant & Pomegranate Muhammara Cones
charred eggplant, walnut-pomegranate spread, crispy tortilla cups
848 cal · 12g protein · 32 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Spiced Lamb Tartare with Black Garlic, Pomegranate Seed & Crispy Sage Oil
Raw lamb loin, Middle Eastern spice blend, burnt garlic paste, jeweled with pomegranate
609 cal · 34g protein · 42 min
EasyAppetizer
Charred Eggplant & Pomegranate Tartines with Crispy Sage Oil
Smoky, sweet, visibly appetizing.
695 cal · 16g protein · 30 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Misir Wat Tartlet with Charred Radish & Crispy Chickpea Dust
Spiced red lentil braise in phyllo cup with roasted vegetable garnish
661 cal · 22g protein · 45 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Grilled Octopus Tentacle with Burnt Orange Emulsion, Charred Bitter Greens & Crispy Chickpea Dukkah
Tender charred octopus crowned with tangy citrus sauce, toasted nut crumble and bitter greens.
627 cal · 42g protein · 85 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Whipped Chili-Coconut Labneh Tartlets with Charred Shiitake Mushroom & Black Garlic Oil
Silky strained yogurt tartlets filled with fermented heat, crowned with umami-rich roasted mushrooms
336 cal · 10g protein · 80 min
SophisticatedAppetizer
Charred Oyster Mushroom 'Steaks' with Preserved Lemon Tapenade, Black Olive & Crispy Phyllo Tuile
Meaty fungi meets briny, bright, shattered pastry
334 cal · 7g protein · 43 min
Good to know
How long do these take?
Half are done in about 33 minutes. The quickest is around 18 minutes and the longest about 55 minutes, so there is something here whether you have a spare hour or twenty minutes.
Are these authentic Middle-eastern recipes?
No, and we do not claim they are. These are dishes built on Middle-eastern ingredients and technique by the Delicious kitchen, which is why the pages say Middle-eastern-style rather than Middle-eastern. They are written to taste right and to work in a home kitchen, not to be a record of traditional cooking.
How many calories are in these?
Most land between 346 and 868 calories a serving. Every recipe shows its own calories plus protein, carbs and fat, calculated per serving rather than per batch.
Do these come with a grocery list?
Yes. Any recipe here can be added to a grocery list that adds up quantities across everything you have chosen and sorts it by aisle, so two recipes needing onions become one line.
