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  3. Fattoush Crouton Salad
Vibrant Fattoush salad with fresh vegetables, pita chips, and pomegranate seeds

Lebanese salad with crispy pita and sumac dressing

Fattoush Crouton Salad

Fattoush Crouton Salad

23 minEasy

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

8 min

Total Time

23 min

Servings

4

6 cups

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

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Fattoush Crouton Salad

Lebanese salad with crispy pita and sumac dressing

A vibrant Lebanese salad with crispy fried pita croutons, fresh vegetables, and a tangy sumac dressing. The contrasting textures of crunchy bread and crisp vegetables are addictive.

15m

Prep Time

8m

Cook Time

23m

Total Time

4

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineSaladSide DishVegan
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

April 21, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Fattoush transforms day-old pita bread into golden croutons that add irresistible crunch to a garden-fresh salad. The sumac-lemon dressing provides a uniquely tart, fruity tang.

Why This Recipe Works

Frying or baking the pita until deeply crisp ensures it holds up in the dressing. Sumac provides a citrusy tang without the acidity of extra lemon.

Ingredients

  • 2 pita breads, torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, diced, and 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 tbsp sumac
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
PrepDaily Use

Test Kitchen Pick

Chef Knife

Helpful Tool

Why a sharp knife helps here

When the recipe is mostly prep, the tool that matters most is the one doing the cutting. A sharp chef’s knife makes the whole process faster and cleaner.

This recipe is won or lost in prep speed and cleaner cuts.

  • Speeds up chopping and slicing
  • Makes prep more consistent and less frustrating

A good chef’s knife is still the single most useful kitchen upgrade for prep-heavy cooking.

Shop chef knife options for this recipe

Instructions

  1. 1

    Toss torn pita pieces with 2 tbsp olive oil. Bake at 400°F for 6-8 minutes until golden and crispy.

  2. 2

    Combine romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, radish, and green onion in a large bowl.

  3. 3

    Whisk remaining olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, and salt into a tangy dressing.

  4. 4

    Pour dressing over salad and toss. Add pita croutons.

  5. 5

    Garnish with fresh mint, more sumac, and serve immediately while croutons are crunchy.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

  • Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein

Substitutions

SumacExtra lemon zest

Approximates the citrusy tang

Pita breadFlatbread or tortilla strips

Different texture but similar crunch

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Add the pita croutons at the very last moment to keep them crispy.

  • Use day-old pita for the crunchiest croutons.

Storage

Store undressed salad and croutons separately for up to 1 day.

Reheating

Not applicable—serve fresh. Re-crisp pita in the oven if needed.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (0mg) · 4 servings

Calories210
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein4g
Carbohydrates12g
Fat24g
Fiber320mg
Sugar3g
Sodium3g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sumac?
A tangy, fruity spice made from dried sumac berries, common in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Can I fry the pita instead?
Yes, deep-fry in oil for 1-2 minutes for extra crunchy croutons.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore SaladMore Side DishVegan RecipesOven RecipesNo-Cook Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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