Za’atar Flatbread
Za’atar Flatbread is a savory bread, perfect for scooping up dips, sauces or fill it with grilled meats. Za’atar is a fantastic topping that is nutty, crunchy and so flavorful. It’s hard for me to not eat these right out of the oven!
Za’atar Flatbread is a fragrant, flavorful bread that highlights one of the most beloved spice blends in Middle Eastern cuisine. Soft, slightly chewy flatbread serves as the perfect canvas for the earthy, herbaceous flavor of za’atar, which is typically made from a mixture of thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt. When combined with olive oil and baked on warm bread, the spices create a dish that is both simple and deeply aromatic.
The beauty of za’atar flatbread lies in its simplicity. A basic dough made from flour, yeast, water, and olive oil rises until soft and pillowy, then stretches into thin rounds or ovals. Before baking, the dough is brushed generously with olive oil and a sprinkle of za’atar blend. As the bread bakes, the oil helps toast the spices and sesame seeds, releasing their warm aroma and giving the flatbread its signature flavor.
Cooks across the Middle East traditionally prepare this dish as manakish, a popular street food. Bakeries often prepare fresh rounds of flatbread topped with za’atar and bake them in hot ovens until lightly golden. The result is a bread that is crisp around the edges while remaining soft and tender inside.
Za’atar flatbread offers incredible versatility and serves well in many ways.It’s delicious on its own as a snack or appetizer, especially when served warm. It also pairs beautifully with dips such as hummus, labneh, or baba ganoush. Many people enjoy it alongside fresh vegetables, olives, and cheese as part of a mezze platter.
Beyond its wonderful flavor, za’atar flatbread reflects the heart of Middle Eastern cooking. Simple ingredients transformed into something memorable through thoughtful seasoning and technique. The combination of warm bread, olive oil, and aromatic herbs creates a comforting dish that feels both rustic and elegant.
Za’atar flatbread brings bold flavor, rich tradition, and irresistible aroma to the table.
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Za’atar Flatbread
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp table salt
- ¾ cup plus 2 tbsp cold water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp za'atar-
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp table salt
Instructions
Dough
- In a food processor add flour, yeast and salt, process until combined, about 3 seconds. Combine water and oil in a measuring cup with a spout. While processor is running slowly add the water/oil mixture. Process until the dough comes clean from the sides of the bowl, 30-60 seconds.
- Transfer dough to counter and knead dough into a ball, about 1 minute. Place dough in a greased bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, 2 1/2 hours. One hour before baking set oven to 500' and place baking stone on middle rack.
Topping
- Combine za'atar, oil and salt in a bowl.
- On a clean counter, divide the dough into 3 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball, cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest for 15 minutes.
- Working with 1 dough ball at a time on a lightly floured counter. Coat dough lightly with flour and flatten to 6-7" disk with your fingertips.
- Use a rolling pin, roll dough into a 9" circle. Slide dough onto a floured baking peel. Spread 1 ½ tablespoons of za'atar mixture over surface of dough leaving 1/2" of edge uncovered.
- Firmly tap dough all over the top with your fingertips, about 6 times. Slide dough onto the baking stone and bake until light brown and bubble on top, about 5 minutes. Using the baking peel remove flatbread from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining flatbread dough. Serve warm.