Za'atar manakish (Manakeesh) is a popular Levantine flatbread featuring za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend. Za'atar bread is easy to make and bakes rather quickly, making it excellent for breakfast or lunch, or as part of a meze platter.
2 ¼teaspoons(7 grams / 1 envelope) active dry yeast
2tablespoonshoney
3 ¼cups(400 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more as needed
1 ½teaspoonskosher salt
2tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil
Topping:
¼cupextra-virgin olive oil
6tablespoonsza’atar
Instructions
Combine the warm water, yeast, and honey in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix together. Set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook, knead on low speed until a smooth dough is formed, about 5 minutes. If the dough is a little stiff, you may need to add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons water. If it's very sticky, you may need to add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons flour. The final result should be tacky but not too sticky.
Remove the dough from the bowl and, using your hands, shape into a smooth ball. Place dough in a clean, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Divide the dough into 6 equal portions (about 115 grams or 4 ounces each). Shape each portion into a smooth ball, then one by one flatten, spread, and stretch each ball into a circle about ¼ inch thick and 6-inches in diameter.
Place each disc of dough on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough until you have 6 flat discs of dough.
Stir together the olive oil and za'atar and use a spoon to divide it over the 6 discs of dough, spreading it evenly and leaving just a small border at the edges (like a pizza).
Bake the breads until they just start to brown around the edges, 14 to 16 minutes. These are best served warm but are also delicious at room temperature.
Notes
Wrap cooled leftover manakish in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days at room temperature or up to 1 week in the fridge. You may also freeze well-wrapped za'atar bread for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge before enjoying.
To reheat/refresh leftover manakish heat it in a 350°F oven or toaster oven until heated through.
Za'atar manakish is typically enjoyed for breakfast or lunch. Include it as part of a Mediterranean breakfast plate alongside boiled or fried eggs, fresh or roasted tomatoes, cucumbers, briny olives, and labneh (thick yogurt cheese). Incorporate it into a meze platter with sliced feta or halloumi cheese, olives, labneh or hummus, and vegetarian stuffed grape leaves.