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Za’atar Flatbread with Olive Oil (Manakish)

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Rise Time 1 hour 3 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 4 makes four 8-inch flatbreads

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls At least two — one for the dough and one for the za’atar olive oil mixture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons Precision matters when baking, especially with yeast-based dough.
  • Rolling Pin To roll out your dough rounds evenly. A wine bottle works in a pinch!
  • Baking sheet or pizza stone A heavy baking sheet is great, but a preheated pizza stone can really mimic the heat of a traditional taboon oven.
  • Kitchen towel or plastic wrap For covering the dough as it rises.
  • Oven mitts and spatula Safety and ease when removing your hot manakish from the oven.

Ingredients
  

For the dough

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for kneading
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast 1 packet
  • ¾ cup warm water
  • ¼ cup warm milk
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the za’atar topping

  • ¼ cup za’atar spice you can use a store-bought zatar spice recipe or make your own — more on that below
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the dough

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it starts to foam slightly — this means the yeast is activated and ready to work its magic. Stir in the olive oil.
  2. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a rough dough forms. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. You’ll feel it change texture as the gluten develops.
  3. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 2: Make the za’atar topping

  1. In a small bowl, combine the za’atar spice with olive oil. The mixture should be thick and spreadable, not watery. If you want a more intense flavor, let the mixture sit for 15–20 minutes to allow the spices to infuse the oil.

Step 3: Shape the dough

  1. Once risen, divide the dough into four equal portions. Roll each piece into a ball, then use a rolling pin to flatten into a circle about 8 inches in diameter. Don’t worry if they aren’t perfectly round — rustic is good here!
  2. Place the dough circles onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 4: Apply the topping

  1. Spread a generous spoonful of the za’atar mixture onto each dough circle, leaving a slight border around the edge. Press lightly with the back of the spoon to make sure the mixture adheres to the dough.

Step 5: Bake to perfection

  1. Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Bake the flatbreads for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and slightly puffed. For a crispier base, you can bake the flatbread directly on a preheated pizza stone.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy

  1. Remove from the oven and let cool for a minute or two. Fold, slice, or tear as desired. Serve warm and fresh!