Join us on a culinary trip to the heart of the Middle East! Today we're baking manakish, an incredibly tasty and simple flatbread that's a much-loved classic for breakfast, lunch or as part of a meze spread. The secret behind its irresistible flavour is a generous topping of za'atar and olive oil. Our Za'atar is an authentic blend of thyme, toasted sesame seeds and tangy sumac that together create a burst of flavour – herby, nutty and fresh all at once. As it bakes, your whole kitchen fills with a magical aroma that whisks you straight to a lively street market in Beirut or Damascus. Let's bake!
Recipe: Homemade Manakish with Za'atar
This recipe makes about 6–8 medium-sized manakish. Perfect for sharing with family and friends!
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 500 g strong white bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 7 g dried yeast (1 sachet)
- 300 ml lukewarm water
- 50 ml olive oil
- For the za'atar topping:
- 150 ml Etnomat Za'atar
- 150 ml good-quality olive oil
Method
- Step 1: Make the dough
- Mix the flour, salt, sugar and dried yeast in a large bowl. Add the lukewarm water and olive oil. Work into a smooth dough, either by hand for about 10 minutes or in a stand mixer for about 5–7 minutes. The dough should be elastic and come away from the sides of the bowl.
- Step 2: Let it rise
- Shape the dough into a ball, return it to the bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave to rise somewhere warm and draught-free for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Step 3: Mix the topping
- While the dough rises, stir the za'atar and olive oil together in a small bowl to make a spreadable paste. The aroma alone is fantastic!
- Step 4: Shape the breads
- Heat the oven to 225°C. Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 6–8 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. Roll each ball out into a thin round, about 15–20 cm across.
- Step 5: Top them
- Place the breads on baking trays lined with baking paper. Spread the za'atar mixture evenly over each one with the back of a spoon, leaving a small border all round.
- Step 6: Bake to perfection
- Bake in the middle of the oven for about 8–12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the topping is gently bubbling. Keep an eye on them so they don't burn!
- Step 7: Serve and enjoy
- Serve your manakish warm, just as they are, or with fresh vegetables, olives, feta or a spoonful of creamy labneh (strained yoghurt).
Order Your Authentic Za'atar Today!
The quality of your za'atar makes all the difference to manakish and other Middle Eastern dishes. Our blend is carefully put together with thyme, toasted wheat, spices, sumac and sesame to give that deep, complex, authentic flavour people love. It's not just perfect for manakish – it's also delicious sprinkled over hummus, stirred into marinades or served as a dip with olive oil and good bread. Give your cooking an unforgettable extra dimension and enjoy the real taste of Arabic cuisine.
Click here to buy your Za'atar 500g and start your flavour journey with Etnomat!
