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Manakish served
Lebanese flatbread with zaatar and cheese

Manakish (Lebanese Za'atar Flatbread)

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Vegetarian & Vegan Dishes Main Courses
Manakish is the 'pizza' of the Levant, usually revered as breakfast. The name comes from 'naqasha' (to sculpt/carve), referring to dimpling the dough with fingertips. These little pools catch the golden olive oil and spices, keeping every bite juicy. The scent of Za'atar (wild thyme, sesame, sumac) fills the kitchen while baking.
🕒 Prep Time 1 hr 15 mins
🍳 Cook Time 10 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 450 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Lebanese-Middle Eastern

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Pizza stone (recommended) or hot sheet
  • Pastry brush
  • Small bowl for spice paste

Allergen Information

⚠️ Wheat
⚠️ Milk
⚠️ Sesame

Instructions

1 ✓

Mix flour, salt, sugar, yeast. Add water, knead to smooth dough (10 mins). Rise 1 hour.

Tip: Don't put oil in the dough, only on top! Makes the crumb more bread-like and chewy.
2 ✓

Mix Za'atar with olive oil into a runny paste.

Tip: Let sit so spices rehydrate in the oil.
3 ✓

Preheat oven to 450-480°F. Heat pizza stone if using.

Tip: Hot surface puffs the dough instantly.
4 ✓

Divide dough into 4, ball up, rest 10 mins. Roll into 6-8 inch rounds.

Tip: Don't roll too thin; keep some body.
5 ✓

Dimple surface deeply with fingertips (leaving rim).

Tip: Dimples prevent ballooning and hold the spice oil.
6 ✓

Spread half with Za'atar oil, top half with cheese.

Tip: Akkawi is salty; soak in water first or use low-salt cheese mix.
7 ✓

Bake 8-10 minutes until edges golden but center soft.

Tip: Do not overbake! Manakish must be pliable.

Recipe FAQ

What is Za'atar?
A blend of wild thyme, sumac (for sourness), sesame seeds (texture), and salt.
Why is the bread dry?
Baked too long at low heat. Flatbreads need extreme heat (450°F+) for short time to stay soft.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups All-Purpose or Bread Flour
  • 3/4 cup Warm Water
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 3 tbsp Za'atar Spice Blend
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 5 oz Akkawi Cheese (or Feta/Mozzarella mix)