Zaatar Manakeesh is a beloved Middle Eastern treat, featuring a soft and fluffy flatbread topped with a flavorful blend of zaatar and olive oil. With its golden-brown crust and aromatic herbaceous aroma, each bite offers a delightful explosion of taste. Whether enjoyed as a savory snack, appetizer, or light meal, Zaatar Manakeesh never fails to satisfy cravings and evoke fond memories of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Zaatar Manakeesh
Zaatar Manakeesh is a savory Middle Eastern flatbread topped with a flavorful blend of zaatar and olive oil. The dough is made with simple ingredients like yeast, water, flour, and olive oil, then rolled out and spread with the zaatar mixture before baking until golden and fragrant. Enjoy this delicious treat as a snack, appetizer, or light meal!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- Oven
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 tbsp Instant yeast
- 1 cup Warm water
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Granulated sugar
- 3 cups All-purpose flour plus more for shaping
- 2 tbsp Olive oil plus more for coating bowl
For the Zaatar Spread
- 1/3 cup Zaatar
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the instant yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add salt, olive oil, and flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough starts to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a bit more flour as needed.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the zaatar spread by mixing the zaatar and olive oil together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into smaller portions, depending on how many manakeesh you want to make.
- Roll out each portion of dough into a thin circle or oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the dough circles onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread a generous amount of the zaatar mixture evenly over each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Bake the manakeesh in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the zaatar topping is fragrant.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the Zaatar Manakeesh warm or at room temperature. Enjoy as a delicious snack, appetizer, or light meal!
Notes
- Yeast Activation: Ensure the yeast is activated properly by dissolving it in warm water with sugar. The mixture should become frothy within 5 minutes, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Dough Consistency: When kneading the dough, aim for a smooth and elastic texture. Adjust the amount of flour as needed to achieve the right consistency. The dough should be soft but not overly sticky.
- Rising Time: Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size. This may take around 1 hour depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
- Zaatar Spread: Customize the flavor of the zaatar spread to your liking by adjusting the ratio of zaatar to olive oil. You can also add a pinch of salt or other spices for extra flavor.
- Baking: Bake the manakeesh in a preheated oven until the edges are golden brown and the zaatar topping is fragrant. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent burning.
- Serving: Serve the Zaatar Manakeesh warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with dips like hummus or labneh.
Nutrition
Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 3mg
