15 Middle Eastern Breakfast (and Brunch!) Recipes

Looking to level up your breakfast and brunch game with delicious and easy-to-prepare recipes? I got you! Here are 15 Middle Eastern Breakfast (and Brunch!) recipes you can make to impress your family and friends!

A collage of different breakfast items including labneh with vegetables, bagels, a stack of flatbread and stewed fava beans.

Jump to:

Dips
Eggs
Warm Stews
Bread and Baked Pastries
Fried Pastries
What to drink with a Middle Eastern Breakfast

Middle Eastern food culture is an integral part of the region's culinary heritage, reflecting the diverse and rich flavors of the Middle East. Mezze, derived from the Arabic word "taste," refers to a variety of small, flavorful dishes served as appetizers or snacks.

Mezze is more than just a way of eating; it embodies the social and communal aspects of Middle Eastern and North African dining, where sharing food is a fundamental cultural practice. Mezza is usually enjoyed for lunch or even dinner, but the same concept applies at breakfast time.

The goal is to offer a diverse selection of dishes with complementing flavors, textures and richness levels and to enjoy these dishes in a group so don't be afraid of sharing! After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

Dips

Hummus (like my Eggplant Hummus) and Roasted Eggplant Dip take center stage on the mezze table, but for breakfast, labneh reigns supreme. Labneh is a strained yogurt dip that can be spread on a plate and topped with olive oil, za'atar spice blend and vegetables. It can also be rolled into balls and coated in herbs and spices like sumac. Don't worry, labneh can be enjoyed any time of the day too.

A plate of labneh topped with tomatoes and cucumbers.

How to make Labneh (Easy and Authentic)

A step-by-step guide on how to make labneh, the strained whole-milk yogurt spread popular in the Middle East and beyond. This recipe is both easy and truly authentic. Serve your labneh with blistered tomatoes, fresh cucumbers, good olive oil and za’atar. The possibilities are endless.

Labneh Recipe!

Labneh Balls

Labneh balls, or fresh shanklish, are a Levantine staple, very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. This yogurt-based cheese is made by straining Greek yogurt until thickened, then rolling into balls and coating with herbs and spices. They're delicious as a snack or part of a meze!

Labneh Balls Recipe!

Eggs

Eggs and egg-based dishes play an important role in the Middle Eastern breakfasts and brunch spread. They are usually had-boiled, soft-boiled, or fried sunny-side up in olive oil or butter.

Another great way to enjoy them is poached, Turkish-style.

Poached Turkish eggs with dill and chili oil on a plate.

Turkish Eggs (Cilbir)

Simple and delicious, Turkish Eggs (Çılbır) is a breakfast dish of perfectly poached eggs served over garlic infused yogurt, drizzled with hot spiced chili olive oil and garnished with fresh dill. Served with crusty sourdough or soft pita. Guaranteed, this will become part of your breakfast and brunch repertoire.

Turkish Eggs Recipe!

Warm Stews

A Levantine or Middle Eastern breakfast spread usually includes a warm component like ful medames (stewed fava beans) or musabaha. Fattet hummus is also quite popular and delicious.

Bowl of warm chickpeas and tahini, garnished with parsley and pine nuts served with sliced cucumbers and pita.

Musabaha (Creamy Warm Chickpeas with Tahini)

Musabaha is a popular Levantine breakfast dish of creamy warm chickpeas with tahini. It’s an affordable, comforting and hearty dish that will start your day off just right. My version is drizzled with a spiced Aleppo pepper oil and toasted pine nuts.

Musabaha Recipe!

Bowl of mashed fava and chickpeas topped with diced tomatoes and parsley.

Ful Medames (Levantine Chickpea and Fava Bean Stew)

Ful Medames is a traditional, hearty and comforting breakfast stew of creamy fava beans and chickpeas dressed with herbs, spices and tomatoes. This recipe is both vegetarian and vegan and can be prepared as part of a much larger breakfast spread or meze.

Ful Medames Recipe!

Bread and Baked Pastries

A Middle Eastern breakfast table is not complete without baked goods. If you're up for making your own homemade pita bread, I highly recommend you give that a go! Or try your hands at one of the hand pies or flatbreads.

Triangular spinach fatayer pastries on a cooling rack.

Spinach Fatayer (Levantine Savory Hand Pies)

Savory authentic spinach fatayer (savory hand pies) are a Levantine staple and popular throughout the Middle East and beyond. These portable pastries are delicious and can be enjoyed any time of day.

Spinach Fatayer Recipe!

Flatbread covered with zaatar spice and oil on a plate with a side of sliced tomatoes and lemon.

Manakish (Za’atar Flatbread)

A flatbread by many names! Manakish (also spelled Manakeesh) is a Levantine flatbread topped with a mixture of za’atar and good quality olive oil and then baked in the oven. A Middle Eastern cuisine staple, it is fragrant and incredibly delicious.

Za'atar Manakish Recipe!

Cheese and herb fatayer pastries with sesame seeds on a cooling rack.

Cheese Fatayer (Levantine Savory Hand Pies)

Savory authentic cheese fatayer (hand pies) are a Levantine staple and popular throughout the Middle East and beyond. They may look intimidating to prepare, but after you’ve made them once, you’ll be making them over and over again!

Cheese Fatayer Recipe!

Cheesy flatbreads on a plate with olives and mint tea on the side.

Cheese Manakish (Middle Eastern Flatbread)

Cheese Manakish is a Levantine flatbread topped with a mixture of melty and flavorful cheese and then baked in the oven. A Middle Eastern cuisine staple, it is comforting and incredibly delicious.

Cheese Manakish Recipe!

Jerusalem bagels, also known as kaak al quds, baked on a tray.

Easy Jerusalem Bagels (Kaak Al Quds Recipe)

Steeped in history, Jerusalem Bagels are actually quite easy to make using standard pantry staples. Delicious and comforting, bake up a batch and enjoy them with za’atar, labneh, hummus, cream cheese, or with butter and jam.

Jerusalem Bagels Recipe!

Taboon (Palestinian Flatbread)

Palestinian Taboon flatbread is a Levantine yeasted bread that is traditionally prepared in clay ovens or on hot stones. This recipe adapts the technique and makes it easy for home cooks to enjoy the flavors and traditions without having to build an outdoor oven.

Taboon Recipe!

Lebanese Pita Bread (Traditional Khubz)

Making your own Lebanese Pita Bread is not as difficult as you may think! This recipe includes 3 different methods to make this quintessential Levantine flatbread.

Lebanese Pita Recipe!

Ramazan pidesi turkish pide bread on a cooling rack.

Turkish Pide Bread (Ramazan Pidesi)

Turkish pide bread, or ramazan pidesi, is a traditional Turkish bread made with yeast that's typically served for iftar and sahur during Ramadan. This soft, round bread is topped with sesame seeds and features a distinctive basket-weave pattern on the top.

Ramazan Pide Recipe!

Fried Pastries

Beef Sambousek (Fried Meat Pastries)

A favorite side dish or appetizer in the Levant, beef sambousek or samboosa is a spiced meat-filled pastry that's fried for maximum flavor and the best texture. While this recipe needs a little time to make, more for the pastry, it's well worth it!

Beef Sambousek Recipe!

Cheese Sambousek

These delicious and popular Middle Eastern pastries are filled with a flavorful mixture of cheese and herbs, and then fried or baked to perfection. The crispy exterior pairs perfectly with the gooey, cheesy filling, making Cheese Sambousek a crowd-pleasing snack that's perfect for any occasion.

Cheese Sambousek Recipe!

In addition to the recipes above, no Middle Eastern brunch or breakfast spread is complete without sliced vegetables (bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, spring onion) and pickles, white cheese (feta cheese, halloumi cheese), green olives and of course good quality olive oil.

What to drink with a Middle Eastern Breakfast

Middle Eastern breakfasts are diverse and flavorful, often consisting of a variety of dishes that include bread, cheese, olives, yogurt, fruits, and different spreads. To complement these rich and savory flavors, there are several traditional beverages you can enjoy with a Middle Eastern breakfast:

Tea: Middle Eastern black tea, often served sweetened and sometimes with mint, is a popular choice to accompany breakfast. You can also opt for herbal teas like chamomile or sage tea.
Coffee: Middle Eastern coffee, often prepared strong and spiced with cardamom, is a delightful option if you prefer something stronger. Turkish coffee is a popular choice in many Middle Eastern countries.
Laban: Laban is a traditional Middle Eastern yogurt-based drink that can be served plain or flavored with mint or cucumber. It's a refreshing and cooling option, especially in warmer weather.
Ayran: Ayran is a popular yogurt-based drink in the Middle East, made by mixing yogurt, water, and a pinch of salt. It's a refreshing choice to balance out the richness of Middle Eastern breakfast dishes.
Fresh Fruit Juice: Middle Eastern countries offer a variety of fresh fruit juices, including orange juice, pomegranate juice, and apricot juice. These natural juices can be a refreshing addition to your breakfast table.
Water: Simple, refreshing, and always a good choice to stay hydrated, especially if you're enjoying a breakfast spread with salty olives and cheeses.

For more Urban Farm and Kitchen recipes and content, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, visit the Urban Farm Shop, or subscribe for new posts via email.