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A Middle Eastern flatbread topped with aromatic Za’atar spices, this easy homemade Manakeesh recipe is perfect for any meal. Enjoy the flavors of the Middle East in your own kitchen!
Type of Cuisine:
Middle Eastern
Prep Time: 15 minutes ( Wait Time (for dough to rise): About 1.5 hours.
Cook Time: 20 minutes
How Many Servings?
6-8 servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
Adjust Servings
| 2 cups All-Purpose Flour | |
| 1 tablespoon active yeast | |
| 1 tablespoon Sugar | |
| 1 cup Lukewarm Water | |
| 1 teaspoon salt | |
| ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil | |
| ½ cup Za’atar | |
| ¼ cup olive oil |
Preparation
1
Testing the Yeast: Begin by testing the yeast's vitality. Combine the yeast and sugar in the stand mixing bowl to activate the yeast. This step ensures that your bread won't turn out dense due to inactive yeast.
2
Incorporating Ingredients: Mix the flour with salt and olive oil in a separate bowl, blending the oil with your fingertips. Incorporate this flour-oil mixture into the bubbly yeast mixture. Mix at a low speed for two minutes, followed by medium speed for five more minutes until the dough comes together. The result should be semi-soft but not overly wet.
3
First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, coating it with olive oil. Cover it with a cloth or oiled plastic wrap and set it aside in a warm location for approximately an hour and a half. During this time, the dough will double in size.
4
Punching and Kneading: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release trapped air. Knead the dough for an additional 2 minutes. Cover it with a towel and allow it to rest for another 15 minutes.
5
Preheating the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F or 180 C, preparing it for the baking process.
6
Second Rise: After kneading, divide the dough into balls, depending on the desired size of your Manakeesh. Allow these dough portions to rest for another 10 minutes, marking the third rise.
Shaping and Topping: Take one dough ball at a time and shape it into a circular, pizza-like form. Use your fingertips to create small holes and dimples in the dough's surface. Drizzle olive oil and generously sprinkle Za'atar on top, ensuring a flavorful base.
7
Baking: Place the prepared Manakeesh on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly oiled surface.
8
Bake them in the preheated oven at 375 degrees F for approximately 20 minutes, or until the bottom and sides attain a beautiful golden brown hue. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
Storage:
After baking your Manakeesh, allow them to cool completely. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. You can keep them at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you want to extend their freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
Freezing:
1-Allow the Manakeesh to cool completely after baking.
2-Wrap each Manakeesh individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
3-Place the wrapped Manakeesh in a resealable freezer bag, ensuring you remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
4-Label the bag with the date for reference.
5-Place the bag in the freezer.
Manakeesh can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, simply remove from the freezer, unwrap, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Enjoy your freshly reheated Manakeesh!