Manakish Zaatar (Za'atar and Olive Oil Flatbreads)
Local name: مناقيش زعتر
In short: Soft, chewy flatbreads brushed with thyme, sesame and sumac in olive oil and baked hot, a breakfast and snack favorite across Jordan. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 395 kcal
Za'atar flatbreads are an everyday breakfast and snack in Jordan, bought warm from neighborhood bakeries and eaten folded in half. A simple yeasted dough is stretched into rounds and spread with za'atar, a blend of dried thyme, sesame seeds and sumac stirred into olive oil. In a very hot oven they bake in minutes, with soft centers and crisp edges. Serve them with sliced tomato, cucumber, fresh mint and olives.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the water and 3 tbsp olive oil and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough is smooth, elastic and slightly tacky.
- Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into 8 balls of about 100 g (3.5 oz) each. Cover with a towel and rest for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, put two heavy baking trays upside down on low oven racks and heat the oven to 230°C (450°F) for at least 20 minutes.
- Stir the za'atar into the 120 ml (1/2 cup) olive oil to make a loose paste. Taste a little, and if your blend is unsalted, add 1/2 tsp salt.
- On a lightly floured surface, press and roll each ball into a round about 18 cm (7 inches) wide and 5 mm (1/4 inch) thick. Set each on a sheet of baking paper.
- Press dimples all over the dough with your fingertips and spread each round with 1 heaped tbsp of the topping, leaving a 1 cm (1/2 inch) border.
- Slide 2 or 3 flatbreads, still on their paper, onto the hot trays. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are golden and the base is cooked through but still soft. Repeat with the rest.
- Serve warm, folded in half, with tomato, cucumber, mint and olives.
Tips
- Keep the topping loose enough to spread but not runny. Too much oil makes it pool and leaves the base soggy.
- Za'atar blends vary in saltiness, so taste a pinch before using. Reheat leftovers on a hot tray at 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
Questions and answers
What is za'atar?
Za'atar is a seasoning blend of dried thyme, toasted sesame seeds, sumac and salt. In the Levant the name also refers to the wild thyme-like herb itself. The blend is sold in jars in Middle Eastern shops and many supermarkets.
Can I freeze manakish?
Yes. Bake them, cool them completely, wrap each one and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 200°C (400°F) oven for 5 minutes.
What do you serve with manakish?
Sliced tomato, cucumber, fresh mint and olives are the classic partners, and many people fold the warm bread around them. Sweet mint tea is a common drink alongside.
How long does it take to make Manakish Zaatar (Za'atar and Olive Oil Flatbreads)?
About 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Manakish Zaatar (Za'atar and Olive Oil Flatbreads)?
About 395 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 395 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
