Muufo (Somali Cornbread Flatbread)
In short: Round, tender flatbreads made from cornmeal and wheat flour, baked on a very hot stone until golden and brushed with oil or ghee. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 1 h 10 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 270 kcal
Muufo is the Somali cornbread: round, tender flatbreads made from maize and wheat flour, traditionally baked in a clay oven. They have a crisp, golden surface and a soft crumb, and are served warm for breakfast with butter or ghee and sugar, or alongside soup and stew. A very hot skillet or baking stone gives a close result at home.
Instructions
- Mix the cornmeal, flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm water and 1 tablespoon of the oil and stir to a rough dough.
- Knead for 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface until soft and smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
- Put a baking stone or an upside-down baking sheet on the middle oven shelf and heat the oven to 250°C (480°F) for 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a round about 15 cm (6 inches) across and 7 mm (1/4 inch) thick. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Bake 2 or 3 flatbreads at a time on the hot stone for 6 to 8 minutes, until puffed with golden-brown spots.
- Brush the hot flatbreads with the remaining oil and wrap them in a clean cloth. Serve warm.
Tips
- Brush the baked flatbreads with melted ghee instead of oil for a richer flavor and the classic breakfast taste.
- No baking stone? Cook each flatbread in a heavy lidded skillet over medium heat for 4 minutes per side.
Questions and answers
How do you eat muufo?
Muufo is torn into pieces and eaten warm with butter or ghee and sugar for breakfast, or used to scoop up soup, stew and beans.
Can I freeze muufo?
Yes. Cool the flatbreads, wrap them in foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
Is muufo gluten-free?
This version contains wheat flour. For a gluten-free version, use all cornmeal with a gluten-free flour blend, though the dough will be more fragile.
How long does it take to make Muufo (Somali Cornbread Flatbread)?
About 55 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Muufo (Somali Cornbread Flatbread)?
About 270 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 48 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 270 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 430 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
