Middle Eastern Mezze Platter (Printable)

Vibrant shareable assortment of classic Middle Eastern appetizers featuring hummus, olives, cheese, pita, and fresh vegetables.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Hummus

01 - 1½ cups (400 g) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - ¼ cup (60 ml) tahini
03 - 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
05 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
06 - ½ tsp ground cumin
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - 2–3 tbsp cold water

→ Vegetables

09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
11 - 1 cup red bell pepper, sliced
12 - 1 cup carrot sticks

→ Olives & Cheese

13 - 1 cup mixed olives (green and Kalamata), pitted if desired
14 - 150 g feta cheese, cut into cubes or slices

→ Bread

15 - 4 pita breads, cut into triangles

→ Garnishes

16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
17 - 1 tsp sumac or paprika
18 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - In a food processor, combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, and salt. Blend until smooth, adding cold water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired creaminess. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
02 - Arrange the hummus in a shallow bowl or spread on a platter. Drizzle with extra olive oil and sprinkle with sumac or paprika.
03 - Artfully arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot sticks, olives, and feta cheese around the hummus.
04 - Warm the pita bread if desired, then cut into triangles and add to the platter.
05 - Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and assembled in minutes when guests arrive.
  • The textures and flavors balance each other so well that no single bite feels the same.
  • It looks impressive without any cooking required, just smart arranging.
  • Leftovers actually improve overnight as the flavors settle and marry.
02 -
  • If your hummus tastes flat, it probably needs more lemon juice or salt, taste as you go and trust your instincts.
  • Cold chickpeas make gritty hummus, let them come to room temperature or warm them gently before blending.
  • Don't skip the cold water when blending, it's what makes the hummus whip up light instead of dense.
03 -
  • Chill your serving platter in the fridge for ten minutes before assembling, it keeps everything fresher longer.
  • If your tahini is thick and stubborn, whisk it with a little warm water before adding it to the hummus.
  • Always taste the hummus before plating, cold dulls flavor so it should taste slightly overseasoned in the bowl.
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