Manakeesh Zaatar

Written By Zahraa Awada Badawi

Recipe by Waseem Hijazi, Founder of “Plant Based Arab”

Copyright: Romana Maalouf Photography

What Is Manakeesh?

Manakeesh is a popular Arabic flatbread that’s baked with different toppings. Can be served open-faced (like the classic Za’atar), folded into triangles (like the cheesy parsley), and many others. Often enjoyed for breakfast or lunch, with a hot cup of tea and mint. The dough is naturally-vegan and made with only 5 ingredients. Creating a soft and pillowy feel to every bite.

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 2 cups (250g) all purpose flour, sifted

  • 1 1/2 tsp instant yeast

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 tsp sugar

  • 1/4 cup (50ml) vegetable oil

  • 1/2 cup (115ml) water, lukewarm

For the Za’atar-Olive Oil mix

  • 1/4 cup za’atar

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

manakeesh zaatar

Copyright: Romana Maalouf Photography

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350F (or 175C). Or use an air fryer with a bake option, reducing the time slightly.

Making The Dough

  • Add the sifted flour to a large bowl. Mix in the instant yeast. Add the salt and sugar and whisk again, making a well in the centre.

  • Add the oil to the centre. Cover the flour on top and rub by hand to coat it all in oil. Go in with the water and knead to combine until smooth. It may look too wet at first and sticking to the fingers – that’s normal. Continue mixing and kneading to bring it together into a ball.

  • Gently push down with your fist to flatten down into the bowl. Cover with food wrap and kitchen towel. Rest in a warm place (inside the pantry cupboard), allowing it to rise for an hour to double in size.

  • Once the dough is ready, punch down and roll into a giant ball. Cut into 4 quarters, then continue cutting into 18 equal parts. Use a kitchen scale to weigh each for best results. Should be about 25g each. Form each into a ball, pinching the bottom and rolling to smoothen out. Place separated on a flat plate/tray, and cover in food wrap to rest for 15 minutes.

  • COMPLETE THIS STEP ONCE THE FILLING IS READY: Take one dough ball – keeping the rest covered. Place on a clean countertop, lightly dusted with flour. Gently push with your fingers to flatten down. Roll out into a thin circle or oval using a rolling pin. Place on a sheet pan (if baking in oven), or on a parchment paper (to be transferred to air fryer), then add the fillings.

Making The Za’atar Olive Oil

  • Mix the za’atar with olive oil in a bowl until it’s almost paste-like.

  • Spread a tablespoon’s worth on top of a circle dough, leaving a little space around the edges.

  • Bake for 5 to 7 minutes, until dough is cooked through and it’s light and soft.

Special thanks to Waseem from the Plant Based Arab for this delicious recipe; the original recipe is available here: https://plantbasedarab.com/manakeesh-vegan-3-ways/

Zahraa Awada Badawi
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