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Home » Food » By Type of Dish » Sauces, Seasonings and Condiments » Dukkah (Egyptian Seasoning Blend)

Dukkah (Egyptian Seasoning Blend)

January 7, 2022 by Kimberly Killebrew · 12 Comments

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With its combination of nuts, seeds, spices and herbs, Dukkah is a unique and incredibly delicious Egyptian seasoning blend!  This dukkah recipe is quick and easy to make so you can begin enjoying it as a dip for your bread or veggies, as a coating for meat, or sprinkled over your hummus, salads, sandwiches, and more!

dukkah recipe duqqa authentic Egyptian spice blend nuts hazelnuts almonds walnuts pistachios almonds coriander cumin fennel mint sesame seeds nigella

Get ready for one of the most unique and delicious seasoning blends you’ve ever tried!

What is Dukkah?

Also known as duqqa or du’ah, dukkah (pronounced doo-kah), is a traditional Egyptian seasoning blend that’s popular throughout the Middle East and consists of nuts, seeds, spices and herbs.   Its name comes from the Arabic “to pound”, referring to the traditional method of grinding the spices with a mortar and pestle.

While there is no set “traditional” recipe for dukkah – I sampled many different versions from very simple to more complex – there a some generally agreed-upon foundational ingredients.  Nuts and seeds are common additions.  These not only form the basis of its flavor but also its texture.  Which nuts are used depends in part on whatever happens to be on hand, though in my experience hazelnuts are most common and are also commonly used in combination with almonds and walnuts, sometimes pistachios.

Other common ingredients include sesame seeds, coriander, cumin and often mint.  Other additions include fennel and nigella seeds along with a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Instead of pulverizing the ingredients to a powder, they are coarsely crushed to maintain some crispy-crunchy texture from the seeds, crushed whole spices and nuts.

dukkah recipe duqqa authentic Egyptian spice blend nuts hazelnuts almonds walnuts pistachios almonds coriander cumin fennel mint sesame seeds nigella

How to Use Dukkah

The traditional way of serving dukkah is to use it as a dip along with a bowl of olive oil:  Bread is dipped in the olive oil and then dipped in dukkah.  During my study abroad in Jerusalem years ago it was always an awe-inspiring sight to see street carts loaded with Middle Eastern breads and large mounds of dukkah waiting for hungry pedestrians.

But beyond its traditional use, dukkah can be enjoyed in many more delicious ways.  Use it as a coating for poultry, fish and meat.  Sprinkle it on your flatbread before baking.  Sprinkle some over your hummus, roasted vegetables, fried eggs, salads, sandwiches and wraps.  And if you’re looking for a low-carb alternative to bread, dip your veggies in olive oil and dukkah.

dukkah recipe duqqa authentic Egyptian spice blend nuts hazelnuts almonds walnuts pistachios almonds coriander cumin fennel mint sesame seeds nigella© Ppy2010ha | Dreamstime

Dukkah Recipe

Let’s get started!

The key to achieving the best flavor is to 1) use whole spices and 2) bring out the individual flavors of the nuts, seeds and spices.  To do that they need to be roasted.  Roast the nuts in the oven and the seeds and whole spices in a dry skillet on the stovetop.  The spices should be roasted until they’re very fragrant but it is critical not to let them scorch or they will turn bitter.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Lay the nuts out single layer on a lined baking sheet.  Roast them for 8-10 minutes until they have darkened in color and smell very nutty.  Be careful not to roast them for too long or they will turn bitter.  Remove from the oven and let the cool completely.

roasting nuts in oven

Heat a dry pan over medium heat and place the remaining ingredients in it except for the mint and salt.

Roast the spices and seeds for a few minutes until they have slightly deepened in color and are very fragrant.  Be careful not to let them scorch or they will become bitter.

Transfer to a bowl and let them cool completely.

roasting spices pan

Place the cooled nuts, the cooled spices and seeds, the mint and salt in a blender or food processor.

Pulse until the mixture is ground with lots of tiny coarse bits throughout.  It should not be ground into a powder.

grinding nuts and spices in blender

Transfer the mixture to an airtight jar and, for the longest shelf-life, store it in the fridge where it will keep for up to 3 weeks.

Enjoy!

dukkah recipe duqqa authentic Egyptian spice blend nuts hazelnuts almonds walnuts pistachios almonds coriander cumin fennel mint sesame seeds nigella

For more delicious homemade seasoning blends be sure to try our:

  • Chili Powder
  • Chinese Five Spice
  • Greek Seasoning
  • Seasoned Salt
  • Old Bay Seasoning
  • Curry Powder
  • Pot Roast Seasoning
  • Garam Masala
  • Creole Seasoning
  • Berbere
  • Panch Phoron
  • Mixed Spice
  • Pumpkin Spice
dukkah recipe duqqa authentic Egyptian spice blend nuts hazelnuts almonds walnuts pistachios almonds coriander cumin fennel mint sesame seeds nigella

Dukkah (Egyptian Seasoning Blend)

Kimberly Killebrew
With its combination of nuts, seeds, spices and herbs, Dukkah is a unique and incredibly delicious Egyptian seasoning blend. Enjoy it as a dip for your bread or veggies, as a coating for meat and poultry, and sprinkled over your hummus, salads, sandwiches, and more!
Print Recipe
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course condiment, Seasoning Blend
Cuisine Egyptian, Middle Eastern
Servings 20
Calories 45 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup whole hazelnuts
  • 2 tablespoon whole almonds
  • 2 tablespoon walnuts
  • 1/4 cup hulled white sesame seeds
  • 3 tablespoons coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons nigella/kalonji seeds
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried mint
  • pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Lay the nuts out single layer on a lined baking sheet.  Roast them for 8-10 minutes until they have darkened in color and smell very nutty.  Be careful not to roast them for too long or they will turn bitter.  Remove from the oven and let the cool completely.
  • Heat a dry pan over medium heat and place the remaining ingredients in it except for the mint and salt.
    Roast the spices and seeds for a few minutes until they have slightly deepened in color and are very fragrant.  Be careful not to let them scorch or they will become bitter.
    Transfer to a bowl and let them cool completely.
  • Place the cooled nuts, the cooled spices and seeds, the mint and salt in a blender or food processor.
    Pulse until the mixture is ground with lots of tiny coarse bits throughout.  It should not be ground into a powder.
    Transfer the mixture to an airtight jar and, for the longest shelf-life, store it in the fridge where it will keep for up to 3 weeks.
    Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespooon | Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg
Keyword Du'ah, Dukkah, Duqqa
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet
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12 Comments →

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12 Responses

  1. Diane Conti says

    January 16, 2022 at 2:39 pm

    I live in Turkey and have access to all these fresh ingredients. I’m going to try this with pumpkin seed, sunflowerseeds, black dill seed, sesame seed, pistachio and hazelnuts.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 16, 2022 at 2:55 pm

      Absolutely, Diane, there are so many delicious possibilities!

      Reply
  2. Patricia says

    January 16, 2022 at 2:01 pm

    Yum! Looking forward to making & tasting this!

    Reply
  3. Juliane says

    January 13, 2022 at 12:59 am

    This looks SO good!!!

    Reply
  4. Beth says

    January 10, 2022 at 4:17 am

    This is great. I love the traditional way of eating it that you shared, but I’m also very excited to use it as a healthier coating option for my meats!

    Reply
  5. Amanda says

    January 10, 2022 at 4:16 am

    I love this! It’s so flavorful and delicious.

    Reply
  6. Catalina says

    January 9, 2022 at 1:17 pm

    I love to try new flavors and dishes. This is on my list for next week!

    Reply
  7. Erin says

    January 9, 2022 at 6:33 am

    I love this! So so good!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 9, 2022 at 1:06 pm

      Thank you, Erin, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  8. Vikki says

    January 8, 2022 at 11:09 am

    This looks like a nice and flavorful seasoning blend! Can’t wait to try this out!

    Reply
  9. Erik says

    January 8, 2022 at 9:47 am

    Definitely gonna be putting this on everything. It’s delicious and so quick to make!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 8, 2022 at 12:32 pm

      Thank you, Erik, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

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