Za’atar Flatbread

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A super popular bread across the middle east is this amazing Za’atar Flatbread dish. Also known as Manaqueesh, these Flatbreads are light and fluffy bread that is baked at a super high temperature and topped with a wonderfully flavored seasoning. The seasoning is commonly known as Za’atar, which is a spice blend typically consisting of Garlic, Sumac, Oregano, and Salt. Olive Oil is added to the Za’atar spice mixture to bind everything together. Top the Za’atar onto the Flatbreads then bake for a few minutes, and you’ve got the most amazing tasting bread, perfect for a bite to eat or side dish to a big meal!

How to make delicious homemade Za’atar Flatbread

Once you’ve made your simple Za’atar spice mix by combining the spices mentioned above, the other critical component is, of course, the Flatbread! We start out with a combination of regular All Purpose Flour and 00 Flour. 00 Flour is very popular in Pizza recipes as it a super-finely ground Flour. If you don’t have any 00 Flour then you can just use regular AP Flour. We would recommend giving the flour a sift to get it a little bit finer

Then, simply add it to a mixing bowl along with some Dry Activated Yeast, Sugar, and Salt. In a separate bowl whisk together Yoghurt and Olive Oil and then mix than into the flour. Knead the mixture well so that it forms a tight dough structure that can be stretched without breaking

We recommend using a Stand Mixer with a dough hook attachment for the best result. If you don’t have a Stand Mixer you can simply knead the dough by hand. It’ll take about 5 minutes on medium in the Stand Mixer. Double that time if you’re kneading by hand

Then, shape the dough into a ball and allow to rest for about 1 hour at room temperature

Form the Flatbreads and top with that wonderful Za’atar topping

Once the dough is rested it will have puffed up quite a bit. Lay the dough out on a flat surface and give it a good punch or two with your first to release the air. Then, cut the dough into 8 evenly sized pieces and roll out thin into circles

Allow the dough to rest again for 15 minutes at room temperature. For this rest, we recommend covering with a damp cloth or towel, as this will help to retain the moisture needed to get a beautiful and fluffy Za’atar Flatbread

Once rested, paste a generous amount of the Za’atar seasoning over the flatbreads and then it’s time to bake!

Cranking the Oven to its highest temperature to cook the Flatbread perfectly

Like a lot of flatbread recipes (such as Pizza), the best way to cook them is in the oven at an extremely high temperature. The commercial ovens that restaurants use to make piping hot Pizzas and Flatbreads can reach extraordinarily high temperatures in excess of 1000F. You don’t need a Pizza oven at home to make this recipe, but you will need to crank your oven to as high as possible

Anything around the 450F – 500F range is great. The super-high heat will ensure a beautifully scorched and slightly charred crust on the Flatbread, while leaving the inside light and fluffy. Just allow ample time for your Oven to get up to temperature before you place the prepared flatbreads inside. The dough will require 1 final 15-minute rest once rolled out, which is a good time to start heating your oven

Your house will get hot however, so if you don’t have great A/C and are cooking in the height of Summer just be prepared that it may get a little hot! Cook these in winter and hey, the oven heat can double as a nice way to heat your house!

For an even cook, the Za’atar Flatbread need a hot surface to cook on in the Oven

This is a big one. For the best result when making this dish you will need a hot surface to bake the bread on. This can be a specific item that is designed for baking Flatbreads and Pizzas such as a Pizza Stone. Or, you can simply use a heavy based, oven proof pan. A large Cast Iron Skillet will work well

The critical element needed is that whatever you are using, it needs to be placed in the Oven and brought up to the highest temperature as you’re heating the Oven. We’re talking smoking hot. The Flatbread dough is placed directly onto the hot surface, so the all-important base of the bread starts to bake immediately

This technique will ensure that all sides of the Flatbread cook evenly and fast. Once the Flatbreads are completely cooked, the base will have formed a lovely, crispy crust. Because we’re cooking at such a high temperature, the insides will only just be cooked, so they’ll retain a beautiful light and fluffy texture. That is the essence of a perfect Flatbread!

Za’atar Flatbread Recipe

Ingredients

• 200g All Purpose Flour
• 100g 00 Flour
• 1 tbsp. Active Dry Yeast
• 1/3 cup Warm Water
• ½ tsp. White Sugar
• 150g Greek Yoghurt
• Juice of ½ a Lemon
• 3 tbsp. Olive Oil
• ½ tsp. Salt
  
  

To make the Za’atar spice mixture topping

• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Sumac
• 1 tsp. Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp. Salt
• 6 tsp. Olive Oil
  
  

Equipment needed: Stand Mixer with dough hook

Instructions

1. Combine the AP Flour, 00 Flour, Yeast, Sugar, and Salt in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together the Yoghurt and 3 tbsp. of Olive Oil. Add to the bowl with the Flour along with half the Water
2. Knead the dough for 5 minutes on medium, adding a little bit more water if it is looking a little bit dry. Once the dough can be stretched thin without breaking, it is done. Remove from the mixer and place on a flat surface
3. Coat the dough with a drop of Olive Oil and spread over its surface, then place the dough in a bowl. Cover with a wet towel and allow to rest for 30 minutes at room temperature
4. Once rested, place the dough on a large, flat surface and punch it a few times with your fist to remove the air. Then, cut the dough into 8 equal sized pieces and roll each out into thin circles about ¼ inch thick. Cover with a damp dish towel and rest for 15 minutes
5. While the dough is resting, pre-heat your oven to the highest setting with a Pizza Stone or large Cast Iron Skillet inside
   
   

Make the Za’atar spice mixture and bake the Flatbreads

6. Mix the Spice Mixture ingredients together in a small bowl and brush generously over the rested flatbread dough
7. Place the Flatbread dough directly onto the Pizza Stone or Cast-Iron Skillet once the oven has reached its highest temperature and bake for 3 minutes until puffed up and cook. Repeat the process for the remaining Flatbreads
   
   

Recipe Notes

• You can make this dish without a Stand Mixer. Just double the amount of kneading time in the recipe if you are kneading by hand to achieve the same result
• The Za’atar Flatbread are best enjoyed immediately, but will keep for up to 2 days in a sealed container
  
  

We hope you enjoy making this awesome Za’atar Flatbread recipe! I have to warn you, however, they are incredibly addictive so you just can’t stop at eating just one!

We recommend making this simple Yoghurt Sauce as the perfect dipping sauce. These Flatbreads are also great to enjoy as a side dish to a hearty meal.. Here’s a few of our favorite recipes that pair perfectly with Za’atar Flatbread that we highly encourage you to try out:

• Peruvian Chicken with Spicy Green Sauce
• Harissa Roasted Cauliflower Steak
• Braised Lamb Shanks with Grits
• Creamy Tomato Soup
  
  

Happy Cooking!