Manakish: Za'atar and Cheese

Name: Manakish: Za'atar and Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: 6 portions
Cuisine: Lebanese
Ingredients: 500 g · 4 cups all-purpose flour; 300 ml · 1¼ cups warm water; 7 g · 2¼ tsp instant yeast; 8 g · 2 tsp sugar; 30 ml · 2 tbsp olive oil, for the dough; 8 g · 1½ tsp salt; 40 g · ½ cup za'atar; 80 ml · ¼ cup olive oil, for the za'atar; 250 g · 2½ cups akkawi and mozzarella cheese, grated; 2 g · 1 tsp nigella seeds

🍽 Serves 6⏱ Prep 20 min🔥 Cook 10 min⏳ Rest 60 min🌍 Lebanese

Soft Levantine flatbreads topped with za'atar in olive oil or melted cheese.

📍 Lebanon

The story of the dish

Manakish is the Levantine breakfast: families once brought dough to the village oven in the morning and topped it with za'atar.

The name: From the Arabic naqasha, 'to engrave', for the finger dimples.

Ingredients

Ingredient	EUg · ml	UScups · spoons
all-purpose flour	≈ 500 g	≈ 4 cups
warm water	≈ 300 ml	≈ 1¼ cups
instant yeast	≈ 7 g	≈ 2¼ tsp
sugar	≈ 8 g	≈ 2 tsp
olive oil for the dough	≈ 30 ml	≈ 2 tbsp
salt	≈ 8 g	≈ 1½ tsp
za'atar	≈ 40 g	≈ ½ cup
olive oil for the za'atar	≈ 80 ml	≈ ¼ cup
akkawi and mozzarella cheese grated	≈ 250 g	≈ 2½ cups
nigella seeds	≈ 2 g	≈ 1 tsp

≈ amount suggested from similar recipes

Tools & equipment

Item	UAEamazon.ae	USamazon.com
Measuring Cup	🛒 Buy	🛒 Buy
Dji Osmo Pocket 4 Creator Combo	🛒 Buy	🛒 Buy
Electric Home Pizza Oven	🛒 Buy	🛒 Buy
Instant-Read Thermometer	🛒 Buy	🛒 Buy
Cookbook	🛒 Buy	🛒 Buy

Also used: pizza stone or heavy tray · rolling pin · mixing bowl

Method

Mix flour, yeast, sugar and salt; add water and oil and knead 8 minutes.
Let rise 1 hour.
Soak akkawi in water for 30 minutes to remove salt, then grate with mozzarella.
Mix za'atar with olive oil.
Divide the dough into 6 balls and press into rounds, dimpling with your fingers.
Top half with za'atar oil and half with cheese and nigella.
Bake at 250°C (480°F) on a hot tray or stone for 6 to 8 minutes.

🌡️ 250°C (480°F) oven

👨‍🍳 Chef’s tips

Dimple the dough with your fingertips so the topping stays in place.

📱 Scan to watch me cook ityoutu.be/JGK6Pbc06JYEvery step on video, and new recipes every week: subscribe on YouTube.

Nutrition per portion estimate · 1 of 6

520kcal

18 gprotein

62 gcarbs

23 gfat

Allergens

GlutenMilk

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▶ Watch me cook it: youtu.be/JGK6Pbc06JY

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