Zaynab Issa
Associate Food Editor
Zaynab Issa is an associate food editor at Bon Appétit. After working on a self-published zine that formalized her family’s East-African Indian recipes, she began freelancing at Buzzfeed and contributing culturally rooted recipes and stories to Bon Appétit and Food52. She’s an avid baker and carb lover. Her approach to recipe development keeps the home cook front of mind, prioritizing ease and flexibility. Zaynab grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Baruch College with a B.A. in Journalism and Marketing. She currently lives in New York and enjoys creating video content for TikTok, scouring thrift stores for platters and purses, and exploring New York’s restaurant scene in her free time.
Pumpkin Pancakes
These pumpkin pancakes are tall and light, highly spiced, and the perfect way to relish a crisp fall morning.
TV Was Off-Limits During Ramadan, With One Exception
Watching the Food Network as a kid helped influence the way I cook.
Karak Chai
Recipe developer Zaynab Issa’s Karak Chai is richer than most cups of tea, thanks to its generous use of evaporated milk and hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Yuca Fries Are the Crispy-Fluffy Childhood Treat I Constantly Crave
Golden on the outside, velvety in the center.