Man’oushe Flatbread with Za’atar Topping Recipe
Man’oushe is a traditional Middle Eastern flatbread typically topped with a flavorful za’atar spice blend and olive oil. This recipe offers a simple dough made from basic ingredients and a classic za’atar topping for a perfect, crispy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside breakfast or snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 man’oushe flatbreads
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
Flatbread Dough
- 1 cup (250ml) tepid water, slightly warmer than room temperature
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 1/2 cups (350g) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt
Za’atar Topping
- 1/4 cup (40g) za’atar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine the tepid water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the activated yeast mixture along with the olive oil. Mix together until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this step.
- Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Prepare za’atar topping: In a small bowl, combine the za’atar and extra-virgin olive oil, mixing well to create a spreadable paste.
- Shape the dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air. Divide it into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and then flatten each ball into a circular flatbread approximately 8 inches in diameter.
- Add the za’atar topping: Spread a generous layer of the za’atar and olive oil mixture evenly over the surface of each flatbread, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Bake the flatbread: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Place the prepared flatbreads on a baking sheet or pizza stone and bake for 8-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and crisp.
- Serve: Remove the man’oushe from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
- For best results, use a pizza stone to get a crispier crust.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with whole wheat or a mix for a healthier version.
- If you don’t have za’atar, you can make your own blend with dried thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and oregano.
- Man’oushe is best eaten fresh but can be reheated in a hot oven or skillet.
- Adjust olive oil quantity in the topping to taste for desired oiliness.
