I’m so excited to take you on a little flavor trip to Egypt with this roundup of 20 traditional recipes. These dishes are an absolute dream, packed with cozy, sunny, and ridiculously good flavors I just know you’re going to love. Let’s bring a taste of Egypt right into your kitchen, shall we?
1. Egyptian Hummus
Hummus is one of those iconic Middle Eastern creations that the whole world has fallen in love with. This version is rich, creamy, and downright delicious, thanks to mashed chickpeas, tahini, garlic, olive oil, and a bright squeeze of lemon.
I love it as a dip for pita chips, but it’s also incredible swirled into pasta or slathered on a sandwich. Honestly, once you start thinking of all the ways to use it, you’ll never get bored.
2. Ghorayebah
Rounding out this roundup are the rich, buttery ghorayebah. If you’re already a butter cookie fan, these will make you fall head over heels all over again.
They have outstanding flavor and the most melt in your mouth tender texture. Honestly, it’s everything I want in a cookie.
And get this: the recipe uses just five basic ingredients. It really doesn’t get any better.
3. Dukkah
Dukkah is that signature Egyptian seasoning blend you didn’t know you needed. It’s an intoxicating mix of nuts, seeds, and warm spices, and it instantly wakes up everything it touches.
The best part? You probably have all the ingredients already in your pantry: coriander, cumin, sesame seeds, and your favorite nuts.
No exotic, hard to find spices required. It’s such an easy way to bring a little Egyptian magic to your meals.
4. Koshari
Let’s start with Egypt’s national dish, koshari. It’s a big, beautiful bowl of comfort: lentils, chickpeas, rice, and pasta smothered in a rich tomato sauce and crowned with crispy fried onions.
It’s ridiculously good and so satisfying. If you’re craving a carb heavy hug on a plate, this one’s calling your name.
5. Kofta
Kofta is ground lamb or beef mixed with onion, garlic, and a load of fragrant spices, shaped into patties, and grilled until perfect. You can serve it with salads and sauces, but my go to is tucking it into soft, toasted pita bread.
This is so much more than your average ground meat dish. The herbs and spices take it to a whole new level of amazing.
6. Egyptian Lentil Soup
Lentils are such a staple in Egyptian cooking, and this soup really lets them shine. Different regions have their own spin on it, but I’m partial to this one with its subtle kick.
We’re pureeing red lentils with potatoes, carrots, onion, and celery until silky smooth. It’s creamy, cozy, and ridiculously tasty. Every spoonful feels like a warm hug.
7. Egyptian Garlic Yogurt Cucumber Salad
If you’re a fan of the yogurt garlic duo, you need this salad in your life. Salatet Zabady Bil Ajur is stunningly simple and so refreshing.
Juicy cucumbers are dressed in a creamy, garlicky yogurt sauce that’s cool and tangy. It’s the perfect little appetizer for hot summer days. I could eat this straight from the bowl.
8. Toum
Toum, or tooma, is that fluffy white garlic sauce that hails from Lebanon and has completely stolen my heart. It’s ridiculously rich and garlicky, the perfect sidekick for barbecues, kabobs, and shawarma.
I also love slathering it inside pita or panini, or tossing it with boiled potatoes. It’s pure, punchy magic.
9. Egyptian Lentils and Rice
Lentils and rice, sometimes called kushari, is a staple on pretty much every Egyptian dinner table. This dish brings together fluffy rice, chickpeas, and earthy lentils for a truly hearty meal.
A rich, savory tomato sauce ties the whole thing together in the most delicious way. It’s simple, comforting, and so seriously satisfying.
10. Chicken Shawarma
Chicken shawarma is a personal favorite of mine. There’s something about that juicy, succulent meat tucked into tender pita with a rich garlic sauce that just gets me every single time.
I’ll be honest, I was skeptical about making it at home without a vertical rotisserie. But let me tell you, this recipe proved me so wrong. It’s ridiculously tasty and totally doable.
11. Egyptian Mahlab Bread
Bread is everything in Egyptian cuisine, and this mahlab bread is absolutely one of the best. It’s puffy, thin, and has this incredible crunch that makes it seriously addictive.
I’m warning you now, you’ll be reaching for piece after piece. It’s equally wonderful with sweet or savory toppings, whether you go for cheese, juicy watermelon, or ripe figs.
12. Ful Medames
Ful medames is the classic Egyptian breakfast, starring humble fava beans transformed into something truly special. With garlic and a good glug of olive oil, it’s hearty, packed with flavor, and you’ll find it everywhere from street carts to elegant restaurants.
It’s so good, there’s an old Arab saying that even the pharaohs were satisfied by beans. I mean, pharaoh approved? That’s the ultimate endorsement.
13. Mahshi
Stuffed veggies are always a treat, but Egyptian mahshi is on a whole other level. This vegetarian dish bakes bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, or squash until tender, each one packed with an aromatic rice filling.
The rice gets tossed with tomato sauce and bright herbs like cilantro, mint, and dill, giving it the most incredible fresh flavor. I’m telling you, you won’t miss the meat one bit.
14. Egyptian Hawawshi
Hawawshi is what I like to call Egypt’s answer to the hamburger, and honestly, I think it wins. Crispy pita bread gets stuffed with a savory mix of ground beef, onions, and peppers, then toasted until golden.
But the real star is the hawawshi seasoning blend, a fragrant mix of allspice, paprika, cardamom, cinnamon and more. It’s wildly flavorful and so much fun to eat. One bite and you’ll see why I’m obsessed.
15. Falafel
Falafel is easily one of the most beloved Egyptian bites out there, and for good reason. These fava bean patties are absolutely epic: crispy on the outside, tender inside.
Load them up with tomato, onion, pepper, and a drizzle of tahini, then tuck them into naan. It’s simple, but oh does it hit the spot.
16. Fattah
Fattah is a complete meal on its own, layered with tender lamb or beef, fluffy rice, toasted pita, and a garlicky tomato sauce that is absolutely irresistible. Every element comes together in this beautifully balanced, ridiculously delicious dish.
One bite and you’ll be hooked, I promise. It’s traditionally served at weddings and during Ramadan, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why it’s reserved for celebrations.
17. Egyptian Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauce is absolutely everywhere in Egyptian cooking. It’s the backbone of so many meals, from pasta and rice to casseroles and beyond, and you’ll often spot a little bowl of it on the dinner table ready for spooning over everything.
If you really want to get into authentic Egyptian flavors, mastering a homemade tomato sauce is a must. Don’t worry, it’s incredibly simple and so worth it.
18. Basbousa
Dessert number two is basbousa, a sweet semolina cake that’s wonderfully unique. The texture is incredibly soft and studded with almonds, while yogurt keeps it seriously moist and coconut adds so much character.
To top it all off, a sweet, sticky syrup is drizzled over the whole thing, soaking into every little crumb. It’s pure dessert bliss.
19. Salata Baladi
Salata baladi is the kind of fresh, crunchy salad I crave all the time. It’s a simple mix of cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, parsley, and onion, but the dressing is what makes it sing.
A blend of lemon, vinegar, cumin, and a hint of chili pepper gives it the most refreshing, zesty kick. It’s every bit as delicious as it is beautiful.
20. Om Ali
You always need to save room for dessert, and Om Ali is the one you’ll be dreaming about. This Egyptian bread pudding is guaranteed to knock your socks off.
Instead of day old bread, we use puff pastry soaked in warm milk and loaded with coconut flakes, raisins, nuts, and sugar. It’s rich, creamy, and totally unforgettable.
