Cheese Manakish

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.
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• 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.
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• Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the dough is slightly browned on bottom.

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   • 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.   

If you like this healthy Lebanese cheese flatbread Manakish recipe or any other recipe on The Salt and Sweet Kitchen, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! You can also follow and tag me on my Instagram page 🙂

Cheese Manakeesh: 

Yield: 12

Cheese Manakish

Print

Manakish (also known as manaqish, manaeesh, or manakeesh) is a popular Lebanese breakfast flatbread.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 2 hours

Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes

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: 

1. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of warm water, sugar and yeast. Set aside for 10 minutes to foam.
2. In a large mixing bowl with lid, combine flour, salt, yogurt, warm milk and vegetable oil.  Work the mixture with your hands.
3. 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).
4. Shape the whole dough into a big ball.
5. Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil on ball-shaped dough and spread evenly.
6. Cover the dough with a piece of seal plastic wrap and close with lid.
7. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it doubles in size.
8. Punch down the dough and form into 12 small balls.
9. Arrange the small balls on lightly floured surface.
10. Cover again with a towel and leave to rise for another 20 minutes. Prepare the cheese topping in the meantime.

To Prepare Cheese Topping:

1. In a medium size bowl, mix together shredded mozzarella and Queso Blanco cheese until well combined.
2. Set aside.

To Prepare Cheese Manakish for Baking:

1. Preheat oven to 400° F and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray. 
2. 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.
3. Press on each one with your fingertips to sculpt little dips for the topping to sit in.
4. Add about 2 tablespoons of cheese topping in the middle of each flattened circle, leave a 1 inch border around.
5. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the dough is slightly browned on bottom.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recommended Products

The recommended products below are affiliate links to products I use and love!

• 
  Farberware 47139 Colorvive Nonstick Baking Sheet / Cookie Sheet / Cookie Pan - 11 Inch x 17 Inch, Brown

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount 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.