Manakish with Za’atar and Halloumi Recipe
Manakish is a traditional Middle Eastern flatbread topped with a fragrant mixture of Za’atar and shredded halloumi cheese. This recipe features a soft, elastic dough that is topped generously with the aromatic herb blend and salty halloumi, then baked to golden perfection. Served warm with lemon wedges, it’s a delightful, savory treat perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- 150 ml warm water
- 250 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for dough)
Topping
- 3 tbsp Za’atar
- 4 tbsp olive oil (remaining for topping and drizzling)
- 150 g halloumi cheese, grated
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Dissolve the active dry yeast in the warm water until it activates. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and one-third of the olive oil. Use your hands to mix into a dough, then knead for 5 minutes until the dough becomes elastic and springs back when poked. Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Shape and prepare the topping: After the dough has risen, roll it out into a log and divide into 4 equal pieces. Place each piece on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently press out into flatbreads. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise again. Meanwhile, mix the Za’atar with the remaining olive oil. Grate the halloumi using the largest holes of a box grater and fold it into the Za’atar mixture to combine well.
- Top and bake: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Stretch the flatbreads a bit more and create dimples on the surface using your fingertips. Spread each flatbread generously with the Za’atar-halloumi mixture. Optionally, drizzle a little more olive oil on top. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 8 minutes until the edges are golden and the topping is cooked. Serve immediately with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top for added brightness.
Notes
- Use warm, not hot, water to activate the yeast effectively.
- You can substitute halloumi with other cheeses like feta for a different flavor.
- Za’atar mix typically includes thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac; adjust quantity based on desired flavor intensity.
- For a crispier crust, bake on a preheated baking stone or steel.
- Store leftover manakish in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture retention.
Keywords: Manakish, Za'atar flatbread, Halloumi, Middle Eastern bread, savory flatbread, vegetarian bread recipe
