Za’atar and Cheese Manakish Flatbread

Difficulty:

5/5

Serves:

8 PEOPLE

Za’atar and Cheese Manakish Flatbread (Lebanon)

Za’atar and Cheese Manakish Flatbread (Lebanon) is a fragrant, savory flatbread topped with a mix of za’atar spices and melted cheese. Crispy on the edges, soft inside, and bursting with herby, nutty, tangy flavors, it’s a classic Lebanese street snack that’s simple yet unforgettable, perfect for breakfast or anytime indulgence.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

3 cups (720ml) all-purpose flour
1 cup (240ml) room temperature water
1 tbsp (14.8ml) instant yeast
1 tsp (4.9ml) salt
½ tsp (2.5ml) sugar
2 tsp (9.9ml) olive oil, plus more for coating the bowl

For the Toppings:

3 tbsp (44.4ml) dried oregano
1 tbsp (14.8ml) dried thyme
1 tbsp (14.8ml) dried marjoram
¼ cup (60ml) toasted sesame seeds
3 tbsp (44.4ml) ground sumac
1 tsp (4.9ml) salt
½ cup (120ml) olive oil
2 cups (480ml) grated Akkawi or Halloumi cheese or sub mozzarella
Black sesame seeds for sprinkling (optional)

Method:

Make the Dough:

Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and stir to combine. Mix the yeast into the water to dissolve and stir into the dry ingredients along with the olive oil.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 10 minutes or knead in the stand mixer using the dough hook for 8 minutes. Form the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl covered with plastic wrap or a towel until it has doubled in volume, about 2 hours.

Make the Za’atar:

Mix together the oregano, thyme, marjoram, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt in a small bowl. Add the olive oil and stir to combine.

Make the Manakish:

Place a pizza stone on the bottom rack and preheat the oven to 500 F (260 C).

Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equally sized balls. Cover the dough balls with plastic wrap or a towel and let them sit for 10 minutes. Working one at a time, roll a dough ball out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.

Transfer the dough disk to the back of a baking sheet and top with some za’atar and cheese. Using a spatula, carefully slide the disk off the baking sheet and onto the pizza stone. Bake until the dough is cooked and the cheese is bubbly, about 7 minutes. Sprinkle on black sesame seeds, if desired. Wait a few minutes before eating as the man’ousheh (singular form of manakish) will be very hot. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings to make all the manakish.