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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

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Persian · Appetizers
Rul-haye Berenji (رول‌های برنجی) — Persian-Style Rice Rolls
Translucent rice paper rolls filled with savory oyster-sauce chicken, crisp bell peppers, fresh sprouts, and herbs. Light, refreshing, and umami-forward, they work as a modern Persian appetizer or a quick, satisfying main.
57 min 4 330 cal

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Persian · Appetizers

Tan Mahi Angoshti (تن ماهی انگشتی) — Persian Finger-Sized Tuna Fritters

Crispy Persian finger-sized tuna fritters made from canned tuna, eggs, ketchup, and breadcrumbs. Shaped for dipping, they fry up golden with a tender, savory center—an easy modern snack or appetizer.

35 min 4 520 cal

Marinit Gharch — Persian-Style Marinated Mushrooms - authentic persian recipe

easy

Persian · Appetizers

Marinit Gharch (مارینیت قارچ) — Persian-Style Marinated Mushrooms

Chilled Persian-style marinated mushrooms in a tangy, savory dressing of vinegar, lemon, tomato puree, garlic, and herbs. A classic mazzeh-style appetizer that gets better as it rests.

170 min 6 82 cal

Gol Barg Ba Goosht — Persian Meat-Filled Spiral Rolls - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Gol Barg Ba Goosht (گل برگ با گوشت) — Persian Meat-Filled Spiral Rolls

Golden Persian “flower petal” spiral rolls made from a tender yogurt-enriched dough and a savory ground beef filling with grated onion and parsley. A showpiece appetizer or main for tea tables and family gatherings.

95 min 8 330 cal

Agha Koocooloo — Whimsical Persian Garden Appetizer - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Agha Koocooloo (آقا کوچولو) — Whimsical Persian Garden Appetizer

A playful Persian-style vegetable platter where carved radishes, tomatoes, and potatoes become edible “little gentlemen.” Crisp, juicy, and lightly seasoned, it’s ideal for mezze-style gatherings and tea-time hospitality.

65 min 6 78 cal

Nan Goshti — Persian Savory Meat Bread with Tamarind Sauce - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Nan Goshti (نان گوشتی) — Persian Savory Meat Bread with Tamarind Sauce

Nan Goshti is a southern Iranian savory fried bread made with a yeast-raised chickpea-and-wheat batter folded with spiced ground meat, onion, and parsley. Served hot with a tangy tamarind sauce for dipping.

120 min 6 520 cal

Kotlet Arabi — Spiced Chickpea & Bell Pepper Fritters - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Kotlet Arabi (کتلت عربی) — Spiced Chickpea & Bell Pepper Fritters

Crispy Persian-style chickpea fritters mixed with sweet bell peppers, onion, and potato, seasoned with turmeric and black pepper. A popular street-food style patty that fries up golden outside and tender inside.

590 min 4 430 cal

Sandwich Kiki — Persian Savory Layered Sandwich Cake - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Sandwich Kiki (کیکی ساندویچ) — Persian Savory Layered Sandwich Cake

Sandwich Kiki is a chilled Persian party centerpiece: a savory layered “cake” built from soft bread, creamy chicken and egg salad, tangy yogurt spread, walnuts, olives, and salami. Sliceable, elegant, and make-ahead friendly.

95 min 10 510 cal

Salad - e Morgh - o - Badam - Persian Chicken & Almond Hors d’Oeuvre - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Salad-e Morgh-o-Badam (سالاد مرغ و بادام) – Persian Chicken & Almond Hors d’Oeuvre

A refined Persian-style chicken salad with tender shredded chicken, creamy mayonnaise, bright lemon juice, and crisp celery, finished with toasted almonds. Served chilled with lemon slices, it’s an elegant appetizer for modern Iranian hospitality.

80 min 6 343 cal

Ardour Panir - Persian Herbed Cheese Truffles - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Ardour Panir (آردور پنیر) — Persian Herbed Cheese Truffles

Elegant Persian-style cheese truffles made from tangy feta and creamy cheese, brightened with fresh herbs and garlic, then rolled in walnuts or sesame. Served chilled on crisp leaves for festive mezze platters.

80 min 6 230 cal

Ordour Khiar - Persian Cucumber & Salami Canapés - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Ordour Khiar (اردور خیار) — Persian Cucumber & Salami Canapés

Elegant Persian-style hors d'oeuvres built on crisp cucumber rounds topped with a creamy mayonnaise-herb spread and savory salami ribbons. Refreshing, salty, and quick to assemble for parties and tea-time tables.

25 min 6 235 cal

Pirashki Pizza - Persian - Style Fried Pizza Pastries - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Pirashki Pizza (پیراشکی پیتزا) – Persian-Style Fried Pizza Pastries

Crispy, golden Iranian street-style pirashki filled with a gooey pizza center of sausage, ham, cheese, peppers, and mushrooms. A yeast dough is proofed, stuffed, sealed, and fried for a nostalgic, melty bite.

115 min 6 690 cal

Khaviar - e Bademjan - Persian Eggplant Caviar - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Khaviar-e Bademjan (خاویار بادمجان) – Persian Eggplant Caviar

Smoky roasted eggplants are mashed into a velvety Persian spread with sautéed onion, garlic, turmeric, and olive oil, then brightened with lemon and parsley. Luxurious, simple, and deeply aromatic.

75 min 6 120 cal

Falafel Abadani - Khuzestani Falafel: The Spicy Soul of Abadan - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Falafel Abadani (فلافل آبادانی خوزستانی) — Khuzestani Falafel: The Spicy Soul of Abadan

Abadani falafel is made with soaked dried chickpeas, fresh herbs, and the bold, spicy seasonings of Khuzestan. It has an exceptionally crispy exterior and a soft interior, and—just like Abadan’s street sandwiches—is served with pickles and hot sauce.

805 min 6 410 cal

Noon-e Khorma o Panir — Date and Cheese Flatbread - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Noon-e Khorma o Panir (نان خرما و پنیر) — Date and Cheese Flatbread

A flatbread inspired by “Nan-e Khorma,” topped with salty cheese, caramelized dates, tomatoes, and fragrant herbs; finished with extra-virgin olive oil and a drizzle of honey to balance sweet and savory. Ideal as a snack or appetizer.

35 min 4 460 cal

Sabzi va Panir - | Persian Herb & Feta Spread - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Sabzi va Panir (سبزی و پنیر) — | Persian Herb & Feta Spread

Sabzi va Panir is a classic Persian sofreh appetizer: creamy, tangy feta mashed with extra virgin olive oil and black pepper, topped with crunchy walnuts and served with fresh herbs, radishes, scallions, olives, and warm lavash or pita.

20 min 4 430 cal

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Persian · Appetizers

Polow Topi (پلو توپی زعفرانی با مغز موزارلا)

Saffron Polow Topi is a modern take on Iranian rice bites: fragrant basmati rice mixed with bloomed saffron and fresh herbs, wrapped around a stretchy mozzarella center. The balls are coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden and crisp—perfect as an appetizer or a light meal.

65 min 6 385 cal

Qarch ba Kerm — Creamy Mushroom Gratin - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Qarch ba Kerm (قارچ با کرم) — Creamy Mushroom Gratin

Mushrooms with Cream is a modern Iranian appetizer: sautéed mushrooms in a creamy sauce thickened with egg yolk, then topped with cheese and gratinéed to create a golden crust and a velvety, fragrant texture.

45 min 4 307 cal

Dolmeh Qarch ba Panir o Gerdoo - Persian Cheesy Walnut - Stuffed Mushrooms - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Dolmeh Qarch ba Panir o Gerdoo (دلمه قارچ با پنیر و گردو) — Persian Cheesy Walnut-Stuffed Mushrooms

Walnut-and-cheese stuffed mushrooms are an elegant Iranian appetizer: large mushrooms are sautéed in butter and infused with garlic, then filled with walnut kernels, Gouda, and pizza cheese. The result is a creamy, umami bite with a hint of lemon.

45 min 4 303 cal

Ardoore Paneer va Tokhm Morgh — Cheese and Egg Appetizer - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Ardoore Paneer va Tokhm Morgh (آردور پنیر و تخم‌مرغ) — Cheese and Egg Appetizer

Cheese and Egg Hors d’Oeuvres are a warm, elegant Iranian appetizer: melted cheese over slices of hard-boiled egg, finished with fragrant herbs and olive oil. The salty richness of the cheese paired with the tenderness of the egg and the aroma of the herbs makes a delightful start to any gathering.

37 min 6 240 cal

Smoky Eggplant and Tomato Dip - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Smoky Eggplant and Tomato Dip (میرزا قاسمی)

Mirza Ghasemi is a beloved Northern Iranian dish of flame-roasted eggplant mashed with garlic, tomatoes, and eggs. Deeply savory and gently smoky, it’s perfect with rice or fresh bread as a warm mezze or light main.

75 min 4 200 cal

Kashk - e Bademjan - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Appetizers

Kashk-e Bademjan (کشک بادمجان)

A classic Persian eggplant dip made with silky fried eggplant, caramelized onions, fragrant mint oil, and tangy kashk. Rich, savory, and perfect with warm bread for mezze or a light meal.

130 min 6 240 cal

🥗 Appetizers & Sides

Rul-haye Berenji (رول‌های برنجی) — Persian-Style Rice Rolls

Tan Mahi Angoshti (تن ماهی انگشتی) — Persian Finger-Sized Tuna Fritters

Marinit Gharch (مارینیت قارچ) — Persian-Style Marinated Mushrooms

Gol Barg Ba Goosht (گل برگ با گوشت) — Persian Meat-Filled Spiral Rolls

Agha Koocooloo (آقا کوچولو) — Whimsical Persian Garden Appetizer

Nan Goshti (نان گوشتی) — Persian Savory Meat Bread with Tamarind Sauce

Kotlet Arabi (کتلت عربی) — Spiced Chickpea & Bell Pepper Fritters

Sandwich Kiki (کیکی ساندویچ) — Persian Savory Layered Sandwich Cake

Salad-e Morgh-o-Badam (سالاد مرغ و بادام) – Persian Chicken & Almond Hors d’Oeuvre

Ardour Panir (آردور پنیر) — Persian Herbed Cheese Truffles

Ordour Khiar (اردور خیار) — Persian Cucumber & Salami Canapés

Pirashki Pizza (پیراشکی پیتزا) – Persian-Style Fried Pizza Pastries

Khaviar-e Bademjan (خاویار بادمجان) – Persian Eggplant Caviar

Falafel Abadani (فلافل آبادانی خوزستانی) — Khuzestani Falafel: The Spicy Soul of Abadan

Noon-e Khorma o Panir (نان خرما و پنیر) — Date and Cheese Flatbread

Sabzi va Panir (سبزی و پنیر) — | Persian Herb & Feta Spread

Polow Topi (پلو توپی زعفرانی با مغز موزارلا)

Qarch ba Kerm (قارچ با کرم) — Creamy Mushroom Gratin

Dolmeh Qarch ba Panir o Gerdoo (دلمه قارچ با پنیر و گردو) — Persian Cheesy Walnut-Stuffed Mushrooms

Ardoore Paneer va Tokhm Morgh (آردور پنیر و تخم‌مرغ) — Cheese and Egg Appetizer

Smoky Eggplant and Tomato Dip (میرزا قاسمی)

Kashk-e Bademjan (کشک بادمجان)