Zaatar Manakish

Zaatar Manakish or Zaatar Manaqish is a very popular traditional Lebanese flatbread, topped with a mixture of Za’atar spice and  olive oil.  Zaatar Manakish stores well, works great as a quick breakfast, brunch, or appetizer! It is one of my kids’ favorite snacks. I always have some stored in the freezer as a back up in case there is a fuss over dinner. My kids call these Manakish, Lebanese Pizza 🙂

Zaatar Manakish- Manakeesh

The word Manakish is rooted in the Arabic verb nakash, which literally means to sculpt, or carve out. After the dough has been rolled flat, it is pressed by the fingertips to sculpt little dips for the topping to sit in.

Nothing compares to the smell of freshly baked Zaatar Manakish in the morning! Have you checked my zaatar swirl bread recipe, yet? 

What is Zaatar?

Zaatar is a is a combination of ground dried oregano and thyme, sumac, and roasted sesame seeds. I bring back all my zaatar mix from Lebanon every year. My Mother in Law makes the best zaatar blend in town! For the manakish topping, zaatar  is mixed with some olive oil and spread on top of each flatbread, before baking to perfection.

Manakish Dough

Making the dough from scratch is easy to prepare. The dough recipe is similar to that used in my  Spinach Pies, Lahm bi Ajeen- Lebanese Meat Pies and Cheese Manakish. With just 6 ingredients, this dough requires just one bowl with a lid (no stand mixer, though you can use one if you’d like), about 5 minutes of kneading, and 3 hours to rise. However, if you don’t have the time to prepare homemade dough, you can use ready-made pizza dough or frozen rolls as an alternative.

How to Shape Zaatar Manaqish- Zaatar Manakish

• Form your homemade dough into 14-16 small balls and let them rest on a floured surface covered with kitchen towel for 30 minutes before shaping.
• Shape the za’atar manaqish by flattening the dough balls into small circles about 5 inches in diameter with your fingertips on a greased baking sheet. 
• Press on each one by your fingertips to sculpt little dips for the topping to sit in.

• Add about 1 tablespoon of the za’atar topping in the middle of each flattened circle, leave a very narrow border around.

• Bake at 400° F heated-oven for 7 to 9 minutes or until the dough is slightly browned on bottom and edges.
• Remove from heat and set aside for a few minutes to cool down and allow topping to dry and settle into dough.
• Serve za’atar manaqish warm or at room temperature with some fresh cut veggies and Labneh Dip.
• Enjoy!

How to Serve Zaatar Manakish (Manoushe):

Zaatar manaqish are often served warm for breakfast with homemade labneh, olives and fresh veggies.

More Lebanese flabread- Manakeesh recipes:

Cheese Manakish

Labneh Flatbread

Lebanese Spinach Pies

Lahm bi Ajeen- Lebanese Meat Pies

Olive and Cheese Stuffed Bread

If you’ve tried this popular Lebanese 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! I would love to hear about your experience making it. You can also join my brand new Facebook group where you can share a picture of the recipes that you’ve tried.

Zaatar Manaqish- Zaatar Manakish Recipe

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Za'atar Manaqish

Yield: 12-14 Flatbreads

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 8 minutes

Nothing compares to the smell of freshly baked Zaatar Manaqish in the morning!

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Ingredients

For the Dough

• 4 cups Bread Flour- Plus more for shaping
• 1 cup Warm Milk- I heat in microwave for a few seconds)
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• 2  tsp Active Dry Yeast
• 3 tbsp Warm Water- for foaming the yeast
• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 tsp Salt 
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt

For Zaatar Topping

• 1/3 Cup Zaatar 
• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil 

Instructions

To make the dough: 

1. In a small bowl, combine warm water, sugar and yeast. Set aside for 10 minutes to foam.
2. In a large mixing bowl with lid, combine flour, salt, warm milk, yogurt and oil. Work the mixture with your hands.
3. Pour in the yeast mixture. Continue hand mixing until soft dough forms. I mix 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 and mix some more).
4. Shape the whole dough into a big ball.
5. Pour 1 tbsp olive oil on ball-shaped dough and spread.
6. Cover the dough with a piece of plastic wrap and close with lid.
7. Wrap container with a large blanket and leave to rise in a warm spot for about 4 hours.
8. Briefly knead your amazing home made dough and form into 12 small balls.
9. Arrange on lightly floured surface and sprinkle some flour on top too.
10. Cover again with a piece of plastic wrap and leave to rise for another 30 minutes.

To make the za’atar manaqish:

1. Mix together the za’atar seasoning and olive oil in a small bowl.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 ° F.
3. Spray baking tray with cooking oil and set near you.
4. Form the za’atar manaqish by flattening the dough balls into small circles about 5 inches in diameter with your fingertips.
5. Transfer to the greased sheet, press on each one with your fingertips to sculpt little dips for the topping to sit in.
6. Add about 1 tablespoon of za’atar topping in the middle of each flattened circle, leave a very narrow border around.
7. Bake at 400° F heated-oven for 7 to 9 minutes or until the dough is slightly browned on the bottom and edges.
8. Remove from heat and set aside for a few minutes to cool down and allow topping to dry and settle into dough.
9. Serve za’atar manaqish warm or at room temperature with some fresh veggies and Labneh dip.
10. Enjoy!

Recommended Products

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

• 
  Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set (3-Piece Set, Nesting, Microwave and Dishwasher Safe)
• 
  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: 315Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 285mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 7g

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.

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