Cheese Manakish
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A delicious homemade flatbread dough topped with cheesy goodness! These Lebanese Cheese Manakish are the perfect make-ahead snack, appetizer, or even brunch!
What is Manakish?
Manakish. Manakeesh or Manaqish is a popular breakfast in Middle Eastern cuisine. Lebanese Manakish is made with homemade flatbread topped with a variety of choices. Some of these toppings include: cheese, zaatar , spinach or beef.
The Dough for Cheese Manakish Recipe:
The dough for this cheese manakeesh recipe is very easy to prepare. With just 6 ingredients, this manakish dough requires one bowl (no stand mixer, though you can use one if you’d like), about 5 minutes of kneading, and 2 hours to rise. If you don’t have the time to prepare homemade dough, you can use ready-made pizza dough or frozen rolls as an alternative.
The Cheese Topping for Manakish:
In Lebanon we use a mix of special cheese for manakish called “Akkawi cheese” and “Halloumi cheese”, but since it is hard to find in the US, I have been using a mix of Queso Blanco cheese (I find mine at Walmart) with shredded mozzarella cheese as a delicious alternative!
How to Make Cheese Manakish:
(Here is a step by step with pictures on how to assemble these Lebanese manakish- Scroll down to recipe card for exact measurements)
- Preheat oven to 400° F and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Form the cheese manakish by flattening the small dough balls on the prepared greased baking sheet into small circles with your fingertips. They will be about 5-6 inches in diameter.
- Press on each one with your fingertips to sculpt little dips for the topping to sit in.
- Add about 2 tablespoons of cheese topping in the middle of each flattened circle, leave a 1 inch border around.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the dough is slightly browned on bottom.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
How to Store Manakish:
While manakish with cheese are best enjoyed when served warm, but they keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Reheat for a few seconds in the microwave, toaster or oven.
How to Serve Cheese Mankish:
Manakeesh are often served warm for breakfast with fresh chopped veggies, like cucumbers and tomatoes.
Looking for different Lebanese Manakish recipes, here are some!
Lahm bi Ajeen- Lebanese Meat Pies
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Cheese Manakish Recipe:
Cheese Manakish
Manakish (also known as manaqish, manaeesh, or manakeesh) is a popular Lebanese breakfast flatbread.
Ingredients
For Dough
- 4 cups flour Bread
- 1 cup warm milk (I heat in microwave for a few seconds)
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
For Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded queso blanco cheese
Instructions
To make the dough:
- In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of warm water, sugar and yeast. Set aside for 10 minutes to foam.
- In a large mixing bowl with lid, combine flour, salt, yogurt, warm milk and vegetable oil. Work the mixture with your hands.
- Pour in the yeast mixture. Continue kneading until soft dough forms. I knead until dough feels elastic, smooth, and no longer sticks to my hands (If after mixing, the dough is still too sticky for you, you can sprinkle just a tiny bit of flour).
- Shape the whole dough into a big ball.
- Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil on ball-shaped dough and spread evenly.
- Cover the dough with a piece of seal plastic wrap and close with lid.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and form into 12 small balls.
- Arrange the small balls on lightly floured surface.
- Cover again with a towel and leave to rise for another 20 minutes. Prepare the cheese topping in the meantime.
To Prepare Cheese Topping:
- In a medium size bowl, mix together shredded mozzarella and Queso Blanco cheese until well combined.
- Set aside.
To Prepare Cheese Manakish for Baking:
- Preheat oven to 400° F and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Form the cheese manakish by flattening the small dough balls on the prepared greased baking sheet into small circles with your fingertips. They will be about 5-6 inches in diameter.
- Press on each one with your fingertips to sculpt little dips for the topping to sit in.
- Add about 2 tablespoons of cheese topping in the middle of each flattened circle, leave a 1 inch border around.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the dough is slightly browned on bottom.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 331Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 535mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 10g
Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
Sally
I definitely would like to try this recipe. We have Kashkaval cheese in several locations in my area.
Rose
That’s great! Let me know how the Cheese manakish come out 🙂
Nicoletta Daher
Loved this recipe! My parents find Kashkaval cheese to be a close alternative to Akawi.
Rose
Hello Nicoletta, so glad to you liked the recipe and thanks for leaving a comment. I love Kashkaval cheese! But unfortunately it is also hard to find in the US, at least where I live!