Salads

The Best Fattoush Salad

By Samira Kazan

updated February 06, 2026

This authentic Lebanese fattoush salad recipe features crunchy pita bread chips and fresh vegetables tossed in a zesty sumac dressing.

A serving bowl with freshly made fattoush salad with crunchy pita bread chips. - 1

This fattoush salad is what I grew up with‚ÄîTHE salad you will find all around Lebanon and the Middle East. It’s a refreshing, tangy salad made with a combination of seasonal veggies and crunchy pita bread ‚Äîperfect to enjoy alongside flavorful authentic shish tawook , beef kabob , and kofta kebab .

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What is fattoush?
Ingredients
How to make fattoush salad
Tips for making fattoush
More salads to try
The Best Fattoush Salad Recipe

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What is fattoush?

Fattoush is a classic “bread salad” that originated in Northern Lebanon. Traditionally, Lebanese farmers would toast leftover pita scraps in olive oil for added flavor. They’d then mix these crunchy pita chips with a variety of fresh, in-season vegetables and herbs.

There are no strict rules for what vegetables to include in fattoush‚Äîit’s a versatile recipe that you can customize to your taste. A basic fattoush salad often features cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, and radishes, with fresh herbs like mint, parsley, arugula, green onions, or thyme. The salad is typically dressed with a simple, zesty vinaigrette.

A bowl with fattoush salad with mixed in pita chips. - 2

Ingredients

Tomatoes: Choose large, fleshy, ripe tomatoes rather than overly-seeded tomatoes. Grape or cherry tomatoes also work.
Lettuce: Romaine lettuce works best, though iceberg is also good.
Cucumber : English or Persian cucumbers.
Radish : Use small pink radishes, which are mildly peppery and crunchy.
Arugula: also known as rocket leaves. Choose smooth, vibrant green leaves.
M√¢che : also known as corn salad or Lamb’s lettuce. Choose fresh, vibrant leaves in whole heads when possible.
Mint and thyme .
Dressing: extra virgin olive oil , fresh lemon juice , minced garlic , homemade pomegranate molasses (or store-bought), apple cider vinegar , sumac (find it either online or at Mediterranean shops), and salt .
Pita chips: Use store-bought or easily make your own homemade pita chips .

See the fattoush recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to make fattoush salad

Prepare the veggies and herbs: Wash all vegetables and salad leaves thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt. Ensure they are dry before chopping.

Proceed to chop the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes into bite-sized pieces according to your preference. The arugula, mache, thyme, and mint leaves can be left whole or cut just in 2-3 pieces.

Chopped fresh veggies and salad leaves in separate bowls. - 4

Make the dressing: First, mince or grate the garlic. Then, in a small bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, sumac, and salt. Whisk until well combined.

Steps for making salad dressing in a small bowl. - 5

Alternatively, air fry them at 350¬∞F/175¬∞C for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Once done, set aside to cool.

Before and after toasting pita bread chips brushed with oil. - 6

Assemble: Place all of the chopped ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle over the salad dressing and toss to coat well. Wait to add the pita bread until you are ready to serve the fattoush salad. This will allow the chips to remain crunchy.

Steps for assembling fattoush salad in a mixing bowl. - 7

Serve with crispy pita chips: Once you are ready to serve, you can either top the fattoush salad with the pita chips or mix them into the salad for a delightful crunch. Enjoy!

Serving fattoush salad with toasted pita chips on the side. - 8

Tips for making fattoush

Making a standout fattoush recipe is all about choosing the best ingredients. Here are some tips to make your salad shine:

Choose the freshest produce you can find. For the best flavor, choose ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and freshly picked herbs.
Skip the store-bought pita chips and make your own at home. You can fry, air-fry, or bake the pita until it’s perfectly crunchy.
Don’t skip the sumac and pomegranate molasses. These ingredients add incredible flavor. Sumac gives a tangy kick, while pomegranate molasses adds a touch of sweetness.
Go for the best extra virgin olive oil you can find. Its rich, peppery taste makes a big difference.
For the best texture, mix the chopped veggies and herbs with the dressing and pita chips only right before serving . If mixed in advance, the pita chips may become soggy, and the veggies could wilt.
Feel free to get creative by adding in-season herbs and vegetables. Use fresh herbs for a burst of flavor, and toss in crunchy veggies for added crunch.

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IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x

▢ 12.35 oz tomatoes 3-4 medium; choose fleshy not sedy
▢ 7 oz lettuce 1/2 head; romaine or iceberg
▢ 7 oz cucumber 1/2 large
▢ 2.1 oz m√¢che aka Corn Salad or Lamb‚Äôs Lettuce
▢ 1.4 oz radish 3-4 small/medium
▢ 0.85 oz arugula aka rocket
▢ 0.35 oz fresh thyme
▢ 0.15 oz fresh mint leaves few stems
▢ 1 pita bread large, 2-ply, to make pita chips

Dressing

▢ 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
▢ 1/4 cup lemon juice from 1 large lemon
▢ 1 Tbsp minced garlic about 3 small cloves
▢ 2 Tbsp pomegranate molasses
▢ 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
▢ 1 Tbsp sumac
▢ 1/2 Tbsp salt

Instructions

Chop the vegetables : Wash all vegetables and salad leaves thoroughly and dry well. Chop the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and radishes into bite-sized pieces. The arugula, mache, thyme, and mint leaves can be left whole or cut just in 2-3 pieces.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, sumac, and salt. Whisk until well combined.
Toast the pita bread: Cut the pita bread into small squares or triangles. Brush them lightly with olive oil. Place in a single layer on a baking tray and broil for 3-5 minutes or until golden and crunchy. Alternatively, air fry at 350¬∞F (175¬∞C) for 3-5 minutes, shaking halfway through. Cool before using.
Assemble: Place all chopped vegetables in a large mixing bowl, drizzle the dressing over them, and toss to coat evenly. Finally, when ready to serve the fattous salad, top it with the pita chips or mix them into it. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.