Chebab (Emirati Saffron and Cardamom Pancakes)
Local name: شباب
In short: Soft yeasted pancakes with a lacy surface, scented with saffron and cardamom and served warm with date syrup and soft cheese. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 440 kcal
Chebab are soft, slightly chewy Emirati pancakes with a lacy, bubbled surface. The yeasted batter is scented with saffron and cardamom and cooked in a skillet until golden, then stacked and served warm with date syrup and soft cheese. They are a weekend breakfast staple, and many families make a batch for visitors during Eid. Leftovers reheat well and make a good snack with tea.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and cardamom in a large bowl. Add the egg, saffron water and milk and whisk for 2 minutes into a smooth batter, a little thicker than regular pancake batter.
- Cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour, until the batter is bubbly and has risen slightly. Stir in the sesame seeds.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and brush it lightly with oil. Pour in about 60 ml (1/4 cup) of batter and spread it gently into a round about 10 cm (4 in) wide.
- Cook for about 2 minutes, until bubbles appear and burst across the surface and the edges look set. Flip and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more, until golden.
- Stack the cooked chebab in a clean towel to keep them soft and warm while you cook the rest, oiling the pan between batches.
- Serve warm with date syrup and soft cheese for spreading.
Tips
- If the pancakes brown before they cook through, lower the heat and cover the pan for the first minute of cooking.
- Make the batter the night before and keep it covered in the fridge. Stir it well and let it come to room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking.
Questions and answers
Can I freeze chebab?
Yes. Freeze cooled pancakes with baking paper between them for up to 2 months, then reheat them in a toaster or a dry skillet.
What is the difference between chebab and regular pancakes?
Chebab use yeast, so they are chewier and more bread-like, and the saffron and cardamom give them a distinctly Gulf fragrance.
What can I serve with chebab?
Date syrup, honey, soft cheese, fried eggs or a spoonful of jam. Arabic coffee or milky tea completes the breakfast.
How long does it take to make Chebab (Emirati Saffron and Cardamom Pancakes)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Chebab (Emirati Saffron and Cardamom Pancakes)?
About 440 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 70 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 440 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 70 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 25 g |
| Sodium | 330 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
