Manakish Za'atar Flatbread Recipe | CookOS

Manakish (Za'atar Flatbread)

Name: Manakish Za'atar Flatbread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 4 cups Flour (all purpose); 1 tbsp Salt; 2¼ tsp Yeast (instant acting); 2 tbsp Olive Oil; 1¾ cups Water (warm); 3 tbsp Za'atar; 3 tbsp Olive Oil (more if needed)

Manakish is a traditional Middle Eastern flatbread topped with za'atar spice blend and olive oil, baked until golden with crispy edges and a soft, pillowy center. It's quick to make from basic pantry ingredients and delivers bold, herbaceous flavor in every bite.

🌍Middle Eastern

Total

1h 35m

Servings

Difficulty

Hard

Est. Cost

$16–$26

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Cheftariq · by Chef Tariq

Ingredients

4 cups Flour (all purpose)
1 tbsp Salt
2¼ tsp Yeast (instant acting)

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2 tbsp Olive Oil

1¾ cups Water (warm)

3 tbsp Za'atar

3 tbsp Olive Oil (more if needed)

7 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Mix flour, salt and yeast in a bowl.
3
Make a well in the mixture.
4
Add the olive oil and water.
5
Mix using your hand until the dough comes together.
6
Once the dough is formed, knead for ten minutes.
7
Cover and set aside for 60 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.
8
Pour dough out on floured surface and cut into four pieces.
9
Roll out each piece dough you will be using, place on parchment paper on a tray. The other pieces of dough can be refrigerated or frozen.
10
Put za'atar in a small bowl. Stir in olive oil until you have a spreadable consistency.
11
Spread the za'atar mixture on the dough with edges exposed.
12
Bake for 15 minutes or until flatbread reaches your desired doneness.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use warm water (110–115°F) to activate instant yeast properly without killing it with excess heat.
Don't overwork the dough after kneading; a slightly sticky, relaxed dough produces softer, airier flatbread.
Press the za'atar mixture gently into the dough so it adheres during baking; drizzle a little extra olive oil on top to prevent it from burning.
Bake on a preheated baking sheet or stone for even heat distribution and crispier edges.

Substitutions

All-purpose flour → bread flour (produces slightly chewier texture)
Instant yeast → active dry yeast (use same amount, allow slightly longer rise time)
Za'atar → dried oregano + sumac blend (loses authentic flavor but remains acceptable)

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled manakish in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days; reheat in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness.

Common Questions

What is za'atar and can I make manakish without it?

Za'atar is a dried herb blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds. It's essential to authentic manakish flavor, but you can substitute dried oregano or thyme mixed with sumac if needed.