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Home›Appetizers & Sides

🥗 Appetizers & Sides

Start your feast with creamy hummus, smoky baba ganoush, Greek saganaki, Indian samosas, and Moroccan zaalouk - small plates with big flavor.

190 recipes

easy
Lebanese · Appetizers
Baba Ganoush (بابا غنوج) — Lebanese Smoky Roasted Eggplant Dip
Baba ganoush is a classic Levantine dip made from smoky roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. In Lebanese mezze culture, it’s served alongside warm bread and crisp vegetables for sharing.
50 min 6 145 cal

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Hummus bi Tahini — Classic Lebanese Chickpea and Tahini Dip - authentic lebanese recipe

easy

Lebanese · Appetizers

Hummus bi Tahini (حمص بطحينة) — Classic Lebanese Chickpea and Tahini Dip

A cornerstone of Lebanese mezze, hummus bi tahini blends silky chickpeas with nutty sesame tahini, bright lemon, and garlic. Served with warm bread and olive oil, it’s a shared-table dip that feels both everyday and celebratory.

15 min 6 230 cal

Dolmeh Barg Mo — Persian Grape Leaf Dolma with Herb Rice and Split Peas - authentic persian recipe

medium

Persian · Appetizers

Dolmeh Barg Mo (دلمه برگ مو) — Persian Grape Leaf Dolma with Herb Rice and Split Peas

Dolmeh Barg Mo is a beloved Persian stuffed grape leaf dish, perfumed with herbs and gently simmered in a sweet-sour sauce. It’s a classic family-style mezze served warm or at room temperature, especially in spring when grape leaves are tender.

135 min 6 430 cal

Halim Bademjan — Persian Eggplant and Wheat Porridge - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Halim Bademjan (حلیم بادمجان) — Persian Eggplant and Wheat Porridge

Halim Bademjan is a classic Persian comfort dish made by slowly cooking wheat and tender eggplant into a silky, spoonable porridge, then finishing it with fragrant mint oil and saffron. Often served as a hearty appetizer or light main, it showcases the Persian love of slow-cooked textures and aromatic toppings like fried onions and kashk.

145 min 6 390 cal

Sabzi Khordan — Persian Herb Platter with Feta and Eggs - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Sabzi Khordan (سبزی خوردن) — Persian Herb Platter with Feta and Eggs

A classic Persian sabzi khordan platter built for sharing: crisp herbs and vegetables with briny feta, mixed olives, toasted flatbread, walnuts, and jammy boiled eggs. Fresh, salty, and perfect as a mezze-style starter.

35 min 4 520 cal

Sabzi Khordan — Persian Herb Mezze with Feta and Eggs - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Sabzi Khordan (سبزی خوردن) — Persian Herb Mezze with Feta and Eggs

A classic Persian herb platter built into a complete mezze: crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, walnuts, and a fresh herb medley served with creamy feta and jammy eggs, plus warm toasted flatbread for scooping.

30 min 4 505 cal

Sabzi Khordan Dolmeh — Persian-Style Stuffed Herb & Yogurt Hors d’Oeuvres - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Sabzi Khordan Dolmeh (سبزی خوردن دلمه) — Persian-Style Stuffed Herb & Yogurt Hors d’Oeuvres

Crisp cucumbers, celery, and lettuce are filled with a thick, herbed strained yogurt and finished with walnuts, dried mint, and olive oil. A cooling, elegant Persian-style appetizer for warm-weather gatherings.

150 min 8 170 cal

Sabzi Khordan Dolmeh — Persian-Style Stuffed Herbs & Labneh Bites - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Sabzi Khordan Dolmeh (سبزی خوردن دلمه) — Persian-Style Stuffed Herbs & Labneh Bites

Elegant Persian-inspired hors d’oeuvres: crisp cucumbers, celery, and lettuce filled with herbed labneh-style yogurt, walnuts, and mint. Refreshing, cooling, and perfect for summer gatherings or mezze-style spreads.

180 min 8 170 cal

Pirashki Paniri — Persian Golden Cheese and Parsley Hand Pies - authentic persian recipe

medium

Persian · Appetizers

Pirashki Paniri (پیراشکی پنیری) — Persian Golden Cheese and Parsley Hand Pies

Crisp, golden Persian-style fried pirashki filled with tangy white cheese, fresh parsley, and warm cumin. Made with pizza dough for an accessible shortcut, these hand pies are a favorite for tea-time and street-style snacking.

100 min 10 320 cal

Pirashki Paniri va Jafari — Persian Cheese and Parsley Fried Pockets - authentic persian recipe

medium

Persian · Appetizers

Pirashki Paniri va Jafari (پیراشکی پنیر و جعفری) — Persian Cheese and Parsley Fried Pockets

Crisp, golden Persian-style fried pockets filled with tangy white cheese, fresh parsley, and warm cumin. Made with pizza dough for an accessible shortcut, they’re a classic tea-time and street-food snack with a creamy center.

95 min 10 285 cal

Moutabal-e Bademjan — Persian Smoky Eggplant Dip with Kashk - authentic persian recipe

medium

Persian · Appetizers

Moutabal-e Bademjan (متبل بادمجان) — Persian Smoky Eggplant Dip with Kashk

A luxurious Persian-style smoky eggplant dip enriched with tangy kashk, tahini, garlic, and lemon. Fire-roasted eggplants give deep aroma, balanced by creamy mayonnaise and fresh herbs.

60 min 6 175 cal

Fatayer Sabanekh — Levantine Spinach Pies with Sumac - authentic arabic recipe

medium

Lebanese · Appetizers

Fatayer Sabanekh (فطاير سبانخ) — Levantine Spinach Pies with Sumac

Soft, golden Levantine spinach pies filled with oniony spinach, bright sumac, and tart pomegranate molasses. A classic mezze-style bake that balances citrusy tang with warm, savory dough.

113 min 12 235 cal

Ordoor Gharch — Persian-Style Crispy Mushrooms - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Ordoor Gharch (اردور قارچ) — Persian-Style Crispy Mushrooms

Crispy Persian-style mushrooms in a fragrant garlic-onion batter seasoned with curry and black pepper. A modern Iranian hors d’oeuvre: golden, crunchy outside with juicy, umami-rich centers.

35 min 4 320 cal

Kookoo-ye Kadoo — Persian Zucchini Parmesan Pancakes - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Kookoo-ye Kadoo (کوکو کدو) — Persian Zucchini Parmesan Pancakes

Crispy Persian-style zucchini kookoo with a Mediterranean twist: grated zucchini and onion bound with eggs, garlic, flour, and Parmesan. Golden outside, moist inside, ideal as a light main or appetizer.

45 min 4 310 cal

Chips-e Gharch — Persian Fried Mushrooms - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Chips-e Gharch (چیپس قارچ) — Persian Fried Mushrooms

Crispy Persian-style fried mushrooms coated in a creamy egg batter, fine breadcrumbs, and melted pizza cheese. Juicy inside, shatteringly golden outside—popular as a modern cafe appetizer and street snack.

55 min 4 520 cal

Ordoor Gharch — Persian-Style Crispy Mushroom Hors d’Oeuvre - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Ordoor Gharch (اردور قارچ) — Persian-Style Crispy Mushroom Hors d’Oeuvre

Crispy Persian-style fried mushrooms in a fragrant curry-garlic batter. This modern Iranian hors d’oeuvre delivers a light crunch, savory umami, and warm spice—ideal for parties, tea-time spreads, or mezze-style tables.

45 min 4 390 cal

Falafel Khaneghi — Persian Homemade Chickpea Fritters - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Falafel Khaneghi (فلافل خانگی) — Persian Homemade Chickpea Fritters

Crisp outside and tender, herb-flecked inside, these Persian-style homemade falafel use soaked dried chickpeas, fresh herbs, and toasted spices for deep aroma and a light, airy bite.

780 min 4 410 cal

Mirza Ghasemi-ye Kadoo — Persian Zucchini & Egg Tomato-Garlic Dip - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Mirza Ghasemi-ye Kadoo (میرزا قاسمی کدو) — Persian Zucchini & Egg Tomato-Garlic Dip

A lighter Persian take on Mirza Ghasemi using sautéed zucchini instead of eggplant. Garlic, tomatoes, eggs, turmeric, and a hint of cinnamon create a smoky-leaning, savory spread perfect with flatbread or rice.

55 min 4 220 cal

Kuku-ye Zorrat — Persian Corn Frittata - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Kuku-ye Zorrat (کوکو ذرت) — Persian Corn Frittata

Persian-style corn kuku is a herb-flecked frittata with sweet corn, warm spices, and a crisp golden crust. Quick to mix and pan-fry, it’s ideal as a light lunch, snack, or appetizer.

38 min 4 240 cal

Babrhā-ye Khuraki — Persian-Inspired Edible Tiger Platter - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Babrhā-ye Khuraki (ببرهای خوراکی) — Persian-Inspired Edible Tiger Platter

A whimsical Persian-inspired platter of three “tiger faces”: fruit art, savory toast canapés, and a bright jelly treat. Tangerine, apple, kiwi, olives, and sauces create playful stripes and expressions for parties.

75 min 6 290 cal

Pirashki — Golden Cheese and Parsley Turnovers - authentic persian recipe

medium

Persian · Appetizers

Pirashki (پیراشکی) — Golden Cheese and Parsley Turnovers

Crisp Persian-style fried pirashki filled with tangy white cheese, fresh parsley, and cumin. Made with pizza dough for an accessible shortcut, finished with egg white for a golden, shatteringly light crust.

80 min 8 330 cal

Polo Tupi — Persian Crispy Saffron Rice Balls - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Polo Tupi (پلو توپی) — Persian Crispy Saffron Rice Balls

Crispy Persian-style saffron rice balls packed with fresh herbs and a stretchy mozzarella center. These golden bites are pan-fried until crunchy outside and tender inside—ideal as an appetizer, snack, or side.

95 min 6 430 cal

Muttabal Ba Badenjan — Smoky Eggplant Dip with Kashk - authentic persian recipe

medium

Persian · Appetizers

Muttabal Ba Badenjan (متبل باذنجان) — Smoky Eggplant Dip with Kashk

A Levantine-style smoky eggplant dip finished the Persian way with tangy kashk. Slow-roasted eggplants are blended with tahini, lemon, and olive oil for a velvety, deeply savory spread.

110 min 6 170 cal

Khuzestani Falafel — Spicy Abadan Chickpea Fritters - authentic persian recipe

medium

Persian · Appetizers

Khuzestani Falafel (فلافل آبادانی) — Spicy Abadan Chickpea Fritters

Crisp, fiery falafel in the Abadan style from Iran’s Khuzestan province. Made from soaked chickpeas, herbs, garlic, and warm spices, these fritters fry up crunchy outside and tender inside—classic street-food flavor at home.

585 min 6 320 cal

🥗 Appetizers & Sides

Baba Ganoush (بابا غنوج) — Lebanese Smoky Roasted Eggplant Dip

Hummus bi Tahini (حمص بطحينة) — Classic Lebanese Chickpea and Tahini Dip

Dolmeh Barg Mo (دلمه برگ مو) — Persian Grape Leaf Dolma with Herb Rice and Split Peas

Halim Bademjan (حلیم بادمجان) — Persian Eggplant and Wheat Porridge

Sabzi Khordan (سبزی خوردن) — Persian Herb Platter with Feta and Eggs

Sabzi Khordan (سبزی خوردن) — Persian Herb Mezze with Feta and Eggs

Sabzi Khordan Dolmeh (سبزی خوردن دلمه) — Persian-Style Stuffed Herb & Yogurt Hors d’Oeuvres

Sabzi Khordan Dolmeh (سبزی خوردن دلمه) — Persian-Style Stuffed Herbs & Labneh Bites

Pirashki Paniri (پیراشکی پنیری) — Persian Golden Cheese and Parsley Hand Pies

Pirashki Paniri va Jafari (پیراشکی پنیر و جعفری) — Persian Cheese and Parsley Fried Pockets

Moutabal-e Bademjan (متبل بادمجان) — Persian Smoky Eggplant Dip with Kashk

Fatayer Sabanekh (فطاير سبانخ) — Levantine Spinach Pies with Sumac

Ordoor Gharch (اردور قارچ) — Persian-Style Crispy Mushrooms

Kookoo-ye Kadoo (کوکو کدو) — Persian Zucchini Parmesan Pancakes

Chips-e Gharch (چیپس قارچ) — Persian Fried Mushrooms

Ordoor Gharch (اردور قارچ) — Persian-Style Crispy Mushroom Hors d’Oeuvre

Falafel Khaneghi (فلافل خانگی) — Persian Homemade Chickpea Fritters

Mirza Ghasemi-ye Kadoo (میرزا قاسمی کدو) — Persian Zucchini & Egg Tomato-Garlic Dip

Kuku-ye Zorrat (کوکو ذرت) — Persian Corn Frittata

Babrhā-ye Khuraki (ببرهای خوراکی) — Persian-Inspired Edible Tiger Platter

Pirashki (پیراشکی) — Golden Cheese and Parsley Turnovers

Polo Tupi (پلو توپی) — Persian Crispy Saffron Rice Balls

Muttabal Ba Badenjan (متبل باذنجان) — Smoky Eggplant Dip with Kashk

Khuzestani Falafel (فلافل آبادانی) — Spicy Abadan Chickpea Fritters