Fatteh Hummus (Chickpeas, Crisp Bread and Garlic Yogurt)
Local name: فتة حمص
In short: Crisp toasted pita layered with warm chickpeas and a garlicky tahini yogurt, topped with pine nuts sizzled in butter and a dusting of paprika. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 640 kcal
Fatteh is built in layers: broken bread, warm chickpeas, cool garlic yogurt and a hot topping of browned butter and pine nuts. In Damascus it is a classic weekend breakfast and a favorite at the Ramadan table, usually shared from one big dish. The contrast is the point, with crunchy bread against soft chickpeas and tangy yogurt. It comes together quickly when you use canned chickpeas.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Toss the torn pita with the olive oil, spread on a baking tray and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until crisp and golden.
- Warm the chickpeas in a saucepan with the reserved liquid, cumin and salt for 8 minutes, until hot and just starting to break down. Keep them warm over the lowest heat.
- Stir the yogurt, tahini, garlic and lemon juice until smooth. If it is very thick, loosen it with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.
- Spread half the pita in a shallow serving dish. Spoon over half the chickpeas with some of their liquid, then half the yogurt sauce. Repeat the layers.
- Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Cook the pine nuts for 2 to 3 minutes until golden, then take the pan off the heat and stir in the paprika.
- Pour the hot butter and pine nuts over the dish, scatter with parsley and serve right away while some of the bread is still crisp.
Tips
- Start with dried chickpeas if you prefer. Soak 200 g (1 cup) overnight, then simmer for about 1 hour until very soft, and use their cooking water in the dish.
- Fry the bread in olive oil instead of baking it for a richer result. Keep the yogurt at room temperature so it does not cool the chickpeas too quickly.
Questions and answers
Can I make fatteh ahead of time?
Prepare the three parts separately up to a day ahead. Assemble just before serving, because the bread turns soft within about 15 minutes of meeting the yogurt.
Is fatteh served hot or cold?
Both temperatures are in the bowl: the chickpeas and butter topping are hot, the yogurt is cool and the bread is warm. Serve immediately for the best contrast.
Can I make it vegan?
Yes. Use a thick plant-based yogurt, replace the butter with olive oil for the pine nuts, and keep the tahini and garlic as written.
How long does it take to make Fatteh Hummus (Chickpeas, Crisp Bread and Garlic Yogurt)?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fatteh Hummus (Chickpeas, Crisp Bread and Garlic Yogurt)?
About 640 kcal per serving, with 21 g of protein, 67 g of carbohydrates and 33 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 640 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 21 g |
| Carbohydrates | 67 g |
| Fat | 33 g |
| Fiber | 11 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 980 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
