Lebanese Zaatar Bread Recipe - Manoushe/Manakish
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
6 mins
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Total Time
36 mins
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Servings
1 large flatbread
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Calories
1375 kcal
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Course
Breakfast
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Lebanese Zaatar Bread Recipe - Manoushe/Manakish
Description
The Lebanese Zaatar Bread recipe starts by mixing dry ingredients including flour, instant yeast, and salt, followed by olive oil and warm water to form a smooth, elastic dough. Kneading develops gluten, creating layers that allow the bread to rise well, resulting in an airy, tender crumb. The dough is covered and left to rise in a warm, dry spot, ideally for several hours or overnight, to allow yeast activity and flavor development.
Once doubled in size, the dough is gently worked again and rolled or stretched into circles or ovals, then spread with a mixture of zaatar seasoning and olive oil. The zaatar paste typically combines dried thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds, imparting a distinctive herby, tangy flavor.
Baked at a high temperature around 210°C (410°F), the bread develops a golden surface with a soft interior and fragrant, savory topping. This flatbread is commonly served as a breakfast dish, snack, or light meal, often shared between two people per large flatbread.
The use of instant yeast eliminates the need for proofing, but fresh or active dry yeast can be substituted following package instructions. Placing the dough in a warmed oven with the light on can aid rising by providing gentle heat. The zaatar topping can be adjusted in quantity to increase flavor intensity, and the dough can be divided for smaller breads if desired.
Ingredients
For the bread dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Teaspoon instant yeast *see Notes
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup water lukewarm
For the Zaatar Paste:
- 1 ½ Tablespoon zaatar seasoning homemade or store bought
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- In a bowl add the dry ingredients first. That includes the flour, the yeast, and salt. Mix all the dry ingredients.
- Create a well in the center and add the olive oil and some of the lukewarm water.
- Start to mix all the ingredients and add some water when it gets dry. That way you mix the dough ingredients and form it slowly into a smooth ball while incorporating step by step all the water.
- Then work out the dough. This is important because layers get formed and the dough will be able to rise properly. You want an airy light dough.
- Place your dough into a bowl, cover with some flour and a cloth and keep in a warm and dry spot.
- Leave the dough to rise for as long as possible. You can prepare the flatbread once your dough has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 210 Celsius/410 Fahrenheit.
- Work out your dough again before you roll it out.
- Roll out or stretch out your dough to a circle or elliptical shape and place on a baking tray.
- In a bowl mix the zaatar seasoning with the olive oil.
- Spread the zaatar paste over the flatbread all over evenly.
- Bake your Zaatar bread for 6 minutes at 210 Celsius/410 Fahrenheit.
- Enjoy the manoushe still hot for breakfast or as a flatbread with middle eastern meals.
Notes
- Instant yeast is used to simplify preparation without proofing; fresh or active dry yeast can be substituted per package instructions.
- Allowing the dough to rise at least 4 hours or overnight produces the best yeast activity and texture.
- Placing the dough in a warmed oven with the light on creates an ideal rising environment by providing gentle, consistent warmth.
- You may divide the dough to make smaller flatbreads instead of one large one, adjusting serving sizes as needed.
- Increasing the amount of zaatar paste enhances flavor intensity if preferred.
- Each large Manoushe flatbread typically serves two people; nutrition is calculated accordingly.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 1large flatbread
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1375 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 216g | |
| Calories | 1375kcal | 69% |
| Carbohydrates | 204g | 68% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 46g | 71% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Sodium | 1190mg | 50% |
| Potassium | 545mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 15g | 60% |
| Vitamin A | 230IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 151mg | 15% |
| Iron | 19.5mg | 108% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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