I had every intention of dropping this cookie on the first day of Hanukkah. But life got in the way. At least I got it out before Hanukkah was over. Za’atar has never been one of my favorite spices, but honestly, many of my best cookie recipes begin that way—with flavors I don’t know well or don’t think I like. Experimenting is half the fun, and I usually manage to turn those unfamiliar ingredients into something delicious. Given the holiday season, I wanted to create a Hanukkah-inspired cookie recipe that honors the holiday’s traditions, especially the story of the oil lasting eight days. That’s how this za’atar olive oil cookie came to be—two experiments in one flavorful bite.

Olive oil cookies are already well-established in baking, which made them the perfect base. The addition of za’atar, a beloved Middle Eastern spice blend found in nearly every Israeli kitchen, brings a savory, aromatic twist that balances the sweetness beautifully.
(And just for clarity: Jewish culture and tradition extend far beyond Israel—Israel is simply the regional reference point for this particular cookie. Za’atar will almost certainly grace this blog again, in a different context.)

Although I’m not Jewish, I’ve been fortunate to celebrate Hanukkah with several friends over the years. Sharing their traditions has given me a deeper appreciation for Jewish culture, and I learn something new each season. And in case the recent surge of holiday merchandise has you wondering—no, there’s still no such thing as a Hanukkah stocking, Hanukkah ham, or any of the other quirky items that tend to pop up in stores.

Whether you celebrate or you’re simply looking for a unique cookie recipe with Middle Eastern flavors, I hope these za’atar olive oil cookies bring warmth, curiosity, and joy to your kitchen.

Wishing everyone who celebrates a bright and beautiful Hanukkah!

Za’atar Olive Oil Cookies

Recipe by Sarah

0.0 from 0 votes

These tender cookies are made with olive oil and za’atar, creating a lightly savory, herb-forward treat with a subtle tang and a soft, delicate crumb.

Difficulty: Easy

Yield

2

dozen

Prep time

10

minutes

Bake time

12

minutes

Total time

24

minutes

Ingredients

• Za’atar Olive Oil Cookie Dought

• 2 1/2 cups Flour

• 1 teaspoon Za’atar (see note)

• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

• 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon Cardamom

• 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla extract

• 1/3 cup Olive oil

• 4 tablespoons Apple juice

• Apple Cider Glaze (Optional)

• 1 cup Powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons Apple cider concentrate (see note)

• 2 tablespoons Water

• 1 pinch Salt

• Additional powdered sugar or water as needed to reach a drizzling consistency

Directions

• For the Dough
• Mix the flour, spices, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar and eggs. Add vanilla, olive oil, and apple juice. Mix until just combined.
• Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. If the dough sticks to your hands, add a tablespoon of flour.
• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, and up to a few hours. It will be much easier to roll these cookies into balls if the dough is chilled.
• For the Glaze (Optional)
• Whisk together powdered sugar, apple cider concentrate, water, and salt. Add additional powder sugar or water as necessary to reach a drizzling consistency.
• Assembly
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Roll approximately one tablespoon of dough into a ball and continue with the rest of the dough. Please on a cookie sheet about two inches apart.
• Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes. Leave on baking sheet to cool for several minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once cooled, drizzle with glaze. (optional)

Notes

• Za’atar is a spice mix, and not every spice mix will be the same. If you’re concerned about how savory your mix may be, use slightly less. Regardless of what brand you use (or if you make your own), the flavor profile will be similar.
• I imagine you can use apple cider for this as well. The flavor would simply be more subtle. I just happened to have apple cider concentrate on hand, so that’s what I used.