Chebakia Recipe: Traditional Moroccan Honey Sesame Pastry 2026

Chebakia is a traditional Maghrebi pastry, especially beloved during Ramadan, when it appears on tables alongside mint tea and dates. These flower-shaped fried pastries are crisp, chewy and deeply fragrant, thanks to toasted sesame, almonds, anise, fennel, cinnamon and orange blossom water.

The dough is enriched with butter, olive oil, egg and vinegar, which helps the pastries stay crunchy for longer. A pinch of saffron gives them their characteristic orange hue, while a final dip in hot honey and a shower of toasted sesame seeds make them irresistible.

Making chebakia at home is a labor of love, but the process is straightforward. The dough rests in the fridge, then gets rolled, cut into long strips and folded into the classic rosette shape. Fry them in batches, dunk them in honey and serve them with Moroccan tea for an authentic treat.

Ingredients for Chebakia

For about 50 pastries

• 80 g sesame seeds
• 50 g almonds with skin
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon green anise seeds
• 500 g wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 60 g butter
• 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons orange blossom water
• 80 ml water
• 10 saffron threads
• Oil for frying
• 500 g honey

How to Make Chebakia Step by Step

1. Toast the sesame seeds

In a skillet, carefully toast the 80 g of sesame seeds, taking care not to burn them so their flavor stays sweet and nutty. Use 40 g of the toasted seeds for the dough and reserve the other 40 g for sprinkling over the finished pastries.

2. Grind the almonds, sesame and spices

Use a food processor to grind 40 g of the toasted sesame seeds, the 50 g of almonds with skin, 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds and 1 teaspoon of green anise seeds until you get a paste.

3. Mix the dry ingredients

In a large bowl, combine 500 g of wheat flour, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of baking powder and the sesame, almond and spice paste you prepared in the previous step.

4. Add the liquid ingredients

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the liquids: 60 g of melted butter, 60 ml of extra virgin olive oil, 1 egg, 4 tablespoons of white wine vinegar and 2 tablespoons of orange blossom water.

5. Add the saffron water

Mix until the dough looks sandy. Then lightly heat 80 ml of water and add 10 saffron threads. Let it sit for a couple of minutes so the saffron releases its color, then pour the water and threads into the bowl with the rest of the ingredients.

6. Knead the dough

Mix and work the dough until all the ingredients are completely integrated. This shouldn't take long; just make sure everything is thoroughly combined.

7. Chill the dough

Divide the dough into 4 balls and wrap them in plastic film. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.

8. Roll out the dough and cut strips

After resting, roll out each ball as thinly as possible into rectangles. With a pasta cutter or a knife, cut strips at least 40 cm long for the folds of the chebakia.

9. Fold the strips into shape

To form each chebakia, take a strip of dough and wrap it around two fingers. Then wrap it again, this time around three fingers, as shown in the image.

10. Seal the edges

Press the edges of each chebakia to make sure they stay closed and keep their characteristic shape during frying, preventing them from opening.

11. Form the rest and let them rest

Shape the remaining chebakias following the same steps until all the strips are used up. Once all the pastries are formed, let them rest for 15 minutes before frying.

12. Fry the chebakias

After resting, fry the chebakias in plenty of sunflower or mild olive oil in batches until golden.

13. Dip them in honey

Meanwhile, heat 500 g of honey in a saucepan and when it starts to boil, remove the pan from the heat. As you take the fried chebakias out of the oil, dip them in the honey and leave them there for about 10 seconds so they soak it up well.

14. Sprinkle with toasted sesame

Transfer the chebakias to a plate or tray and sprinkle the 40 g of toasted sesame seeds you reserved at the beginning over them.

15. Serve

Serve the chebakias on a platter, arranged neatly so their attractive shape shows. They can be accompanied by Moroccan tea.

Tips for the Best Chebakia

Toast the sesame carefully

Toasting the sesame seeds brings out their nutty flavor, but burned seeds will taste bitter and alter the final result. Keep the heat moderate and stir constantly.

Work the dough quickly

Once the liquid ingredients are added, mix just until everything is integrated. Overworking the dough can make the pastries tough instead of crisp.

Mind the honey temperature

Heat the honey until it just begins to boil, then remove it from the heat. Soaking the fried pastries for about 10 seconds lets them absorb the honey without becoming soggy.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado