Homemade Dukkah Spice Recipe

If you’ve never tried homemade dukkah spice blend, you’re in for a treat! This traditional Egyptian mix of nuts, seeds, and spices adds texture and flavor to many meals.

Serve it alongside olive oil for a delicious bread dip, sprinkle it on roasted vegetables, fresh salads, or even poached eggs, or use it as a crust for roasted meats. The best part? Dukkah spice is incredibly easy to make at home.

This recipe combines the earthy flavors of hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts, and sesame seeds with warm, aromatic spices like cumin and coriander.

If all you have ever tasted is Trader Joe's dukkah, you will be surprised by the flavors and textures in this homemade dukkah recipe.

Let’s get into making your very own homemade dukkah spice blend.

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What Is Dukkah?

Dukkah (pronounced "doo-kah") is a Middle Eastern spice blend with Egyptian roots. Traditionally, it features a combination of toasted nuts, seeds, and spices that are ground to create a coarse mixture.

The name “dukkah” comes from the Arabic word meaning “to crush,” which reflects the way the ingredients are processed.

This versatile blend is perfect for adding texture, flavor, and depth to a wide variety of dishes. Plus, by making it at home, you can experiment with different nut and spice combinations to suit your taste.

Ingredients for Homemade Dukkah

Now, like any popular spice mix, dukkah comes in countless variations, with each family recipe refined and passed down through generations.

This version is our own—a blend inspired by the best of homemade dukkah mixes we've bought and tried over the years from local markets, fine-tuned to suit our taste.

To create this simple yet flavorful dukkah, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of hazelnut meal/four
• 4 tablespoons of sesame seeds
• 4 tablespoons of pistachios (diced into small pieces)
• 4 tablespoons of walnuts (diced into small pieces)
• 6 teaspoons ground cumin
• 8 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon of mixed ground black and white pepper (to taste)

These ingredients create a balanced mix of nutty, savory, and aromatic flavors that are a perfect complement to a wide variety of dishes.

The ingredients above will get you about 1.5 cups of dukkah spice, which is around 72 portions (assuming a serving size of 1 teaspoon).

For us, that is about a month's worth of dukkah used daily on breakfast (a teaspoon per plate) or salad (a tablespoon per bowl).

How to Make Dukkah Spice

Here are the simple steps to make your homemade dukkah spice blend:

1. Dice the walnuts and pistachios. Chop them into small, even pieces for a consistent texture.

We like to use a knife to cut and crush the nuts, as it gives them a rougher and irregular texture. You can also use a food processor but aim for a coarse texture.

2. Toast (dry-roast) the walnuts and pistachios. Heat a frying pan over medium heat for about a minute. Then dry-roast the diced walnuts and pistachios, stirring them frequently to prevent burning. This should take around 2.5 to 3 minutes.

Once they are lightly golden and fragrant, remove them from the pan and set aside.

Wipe the pan clean with kitchen paper/cloth to remove any small nut pieces – those would burn and become bitter. (Watch out not to touch the hot pan with your hand.)

3. Toast (dry-roast) the sesame seeds. In the same pan, add the sesame seeds and dry-roast them until they’re lightly brown and aromatic. This should only take a minute or two.
We are toasting the sesame seeds separately, as they are small and would burn and become bitter if done together with the larger nut pieces.

4. Combine the roasted ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the roasted walnuts, pistachios, and sesame seeds.

5. Add the hazelnut meal and spices. Mix in the hazelnut meal, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and black and white pepper. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.

6. Let the dukkah spice mix cool down. Leave the mixed blend to cool down before you put it into containers.

7. Store your dukkah. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place. Here, we are using simple old jam jars. Your homemade dukkah will stay fresh for up to a month when stored in a pantry.

For extended shelf life, you can refrigerate it for up to three months or freeze it for up to six months.

Bonus tip: Always use a dry spoon when scooping your dukkah to prevent moisture from affecting the blend and developing mold.

Dukkah Spice Variations

Dukkah can be easily customized to suit different tastes.

Experiment with nuts: Try substituting almonds or cashews for a different flavor profile. Or, some popular variations use just a single type of nut:

• Pistachio Dukkah: Sweet, nutty, and vibrant.
• Hazelnut Dukkah: Rich and earthy.
• Almond Dukkah: Subtle flavor with a slight crunch.
• Walnut Dukkah: Deep and robust with a hint of bitterness.

Spice it up:

• Add a pinch of chili flakes or chili powder for a bit of heat.
• Add some zaatar (another Middle Eastern spice mix) that contains sumac and adds interesting tartness to the dukkah blend.

Feel free to mix and match ingredients to create your own favorite family dukkah blend recipe that fits your personal preferences!

How to Use Dukkah

Homemade dukkah is as versatile as it is delicious. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• As a dip: Serve it alongside olive oil and fresh bread for a simple appetizer.
• On roasted vegetables: Sprinkle it over your favorite roasted veggies for extra flavor and crunch.
• As a crust: Use it to coat chicken, fish, or tofu before baking or frying.
• In salads: Sprinkle it over salads to add texture and a burst of nutty flavor.
• On soups: Top your favorite soups with a sprinkle of dukkah for added depth.
• In yogurt: Stir it into yogurt for a savory, spiced dip alternative.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Why Make Your Own Dukkah?

Making dukkah at home allows you to control the quality and flavor of the ingredients. Store-bought versions are expensive and often include additives.

With this recipe, you’ll have a fresh, all-natural blend. The taste of freshly roasted nuts is something you will not get from Trader Joe's dukkah.

Plus, you can fine-tune and tailor the blend to your own taste, using the nuts you like the most and spices that give just the right flavor. It’s a quick and rewarding way to add extra crunch and a whole array of flavors to your everyday meals.

Closing Thoughts

This homemade dukkah spice recipe is a fantastic way to bring the flavors of the Middle East into your kitchen. Give it a try - we are sure this easy recipe will become a go-to staple in your pantry.

And don’t be afraid to experiment with different nut and spice combinations to create your signature blend - it is all part of the fun.

What’s your favorite way to use dukkah? Let us know in the comments below!

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