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 placed on ultra-thin börek dough for zaatar cheesy sticks — Ultra-thin börek dough + Kiri: the creamiest centre for crisp za’atar sticks.

Step 1 – Dough & cheese

You’ll 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.

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

Step 2 – Roll it up

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

Rolling the dough sheet gently for even za’atar sticks

Whisking egg, milk and vinegar for the za’atar glaze — Whisk egg, milk (or oat drink) and vinegar until smooth.

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.

Brushing the rolls with egg wash before coating — Brush, then coat generously in za’atar.

Step 4 – Coat in za’atar

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

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

Step 5 – Oil the tray

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

Baking za’atar cheesy sticks until golden — Bake, flip, bake: serve warm and enjoy.

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 — delicious with extra Honeydew za’atar on the side.

Zaatar cheesy stick close-up – crisp crust, creamy centre

Freshly baked za’atar cheese rolls, ready to serve

Golden baked zaatar cheesy sticks – oven snack

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.