Zaatar Bread, aka Manoushe or Manakish, is a popular flatbread from the middle east. The bread can be prepared with pizza dough and is then topped with a zaatar seasoning paste before being baked in high heat for a short time. The result is soft and layered, seasoned bread.
In a bowl add the dry ingredients first. That includes the flour, the yeast, and salt. Mix all the dry ingredients.
Create a well in the center and add the olive oil and some of the lukewarm water.
Start to mix all the ingredients and add some water when it gets dry. That way you mix the dough ingredients and form it slowly into a smooth ball while incorporating step by step all the water.
Then work out the dough. This is important because layers get formed and the dough will be able to rise properly. You want an airy light dough.
Place your dough into a bowl, cover with some flour and a cloth and keep in a warm and dry spot.
Leave the dough to rise for as long as possible. You can prepare the flatbread once your dough has doubled in size.
Preheat your oven to 210 Celsius/410 Fahrenheit.
Work out your dough again before you roll it out.
Roll out or stretch out your dough to a circle or elliptical shape and place on a baking tray.
In a bowl mix the zaatar seasoning with the olive oil.
Spread the zaatar paste over the flatbread all over evenly.
Bake your Zaatar bread for 6 minutes at 210 Celsius/410 Fahrenheit.
Enjoy the manoushe still hot for breakfast or as a flatbread with middle eastern meals.
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Notes
I use instant yeast to prepare the dough with yeast without having to proof the yeast. You may use fresh yeast or dry active yeast as well. In that case, refer to the package instructions for the yeast proofing.
You can heat up your oven for a few seconds and place the bowl with the dough into the warm oven (not hot!) while the oven light is on. The oven light creates more warmth, and that helps the dough to rise. It mimics the warming cupboards in commercial bakeries and kitchens. Keep in mind the yeast will be most active in a dry warm environment. Humidity levels above 75% in the air are not beneficial for yeast growth in homemade bread dough.
For the best yeast rising result. Leave the dough to rise for at least 4 hours or overnight.
You can split the dough in two or three and create smaller flatbreads, instead of one large one.
You may double the amount of paste used on bread if you want to add even more flavors.
One large Manoushe flatbread serves two. Nutrition is calculated for 2 servings.