Zaatar Cheesy Sticks – crispy za'atar rolls with a creamy cheese centre

Name: Zaatar Cheesy Sticks – crispy za'atar rolls with a creamy cheese centre
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 24 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Lebanese
Ingredients: For ~12 sticks: 12 sheets ultra-thin triangular börek dough; 18 Kiri cheese pieces (about 1½ per stick); 1 egg; 2 tbsp milk or oat drink; 1 tsp vinegar; 4–6 tbsp Honeydew za'atar for coating; 1–2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for the tray

These zaatar cheesy sticks are the quick snack for any occasion: ultra-thin börek dough, melty Kiri cheese, and a fragrant za'atar crust — ready in under 25 minutes.

~24 Min (Prep 10 Min, Bake 14 Min) Servings: 12 Cuisine: Lebanese Category: Snack Vegetarian

Method

Kiri cheese on ultra-thin börek dough — Ultra-thin börek dough + Kiri: the creamiest centre for crisp za'atar sticks.

Shaping börek dough into a roll — Roll evenly so every stick browns at the same pace.

Step 1 – Dough & cheese

You will need ultra-thin triangular dough (often sold as börek/yufka in Turkish supermarkets). Place one triangle with the wide end facing you.

We tested several cheeses — square Kiri pieces work best. They melt beautifully and stay creamy. Use about 1½ pieces per roll.

Step 2 – Roll it up

Place the cheese near the wide edge. Roll gently: not too tight (so the dough does not burst), not too loose (so the cheese stays snug).

Whisking egg, milk and vinegar — Whisk egg, milk (or oat drink) and vinegar until smooth.

Brushing rolls with egg wash — Brush, then coat generously in za'atar.

Za'atar roll close-up – ready for the oven.

Step 3 – Egg wash

Whisk 1 egg with 2 tbsp milk or oat drink and 1 tsp vinegar. This adds shine and helps the za'atar stick evenly.

Step 4 – Coat in za'atar

Brush the rolls all over, then roll them in za'atar until fully coated for maximum aroma.

Step 5 – Oil the tray

Lightly grease a baking tray with extra virgin olive oil and place the rolls neatly with a little space between them.

Oiling the baking tray — Lightly oil the tray for golden, crisp undersides.

Baking zaatar cheesy sticks in oven — Bake, flip, bake: golden and crisp.

Crispy za'atar rolls fresh from the oven.

Step 6 – Bake & serve

Bake at 180 °C / 355 °F (fan) for 7 minutes. Flip carefully and bake another 7 minutes until golden and crisp. Rest 5 minutes, then serve warm.

Pro tip: crisp outside, creamy inside.
Roll the sticks snug, not tight. This keeps the cheese contained while it melts evenly. Rest 5 minutes after baking for the crispiest crust.