Zaatar Bread Recipe

Rating 5.0
| 1
| Last Updated on September 15, 2023
Zaatar bread is inspired by mana’eesh, a popular eastern Mediterranean flatbread. Topped with olive oil and a generous amount of zaatar, it is crispy on the outside and satisfyingly chewy and flavorful on the inside.
Utensils Side Dish
Globe Mediterranean
8
ingredients
14
steps
1655
minutes
Giselle is a recipe developer and content creator that loves all things sweet and savory. She runs her own food blog, The Busy Spatula, and her work has been featured on Yahoo!, Marvel Studios and the Kitchn.

Ingredients

Servings:
8
1 1/4 cup(s)
lukewarm water, see notes
2 1/2 tsp
active dry yeast
2 tbsp
honey
3 1/2 cup(s)
bread flour
1 tsp
salt
8 tbsp
extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/4 cup(s)
zaatar, see notes
flaky sea salt, such as Maldon salt
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Directions 14 steps | 1655 Minutes

Step 1

Activate your yeast. In a small bowl, whisk together the water, yeast and honey. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
Activate your yeast.
Step 2

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour and the salt. Stir to combine.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the flour and the salt.
Step 3

Add the yeast mixture to the flour. Stir to combine.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: Add the yeast mixture to the flour.
Step 4

Using a dough hook, knead the dough for 6 minutes on low. Let rest for 10 minutes.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: Using a dough hook, knead the dough for 6 minutes on low.
Step 5

Add two tablespoons of olive oil to the dough and knead for 5 minutes.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: Add two tablespoons of olive oil to the dough and knead for 5 minutes.
Step 6

Turn the dough out and knead a few times to form a round smooth ball. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours and up to 48 hours. (See notes.)

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
Turn the dough out and knead a few times to form a round smooth ball.
Step 7

When ready to bake, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 1 hour.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
When ready to bake, remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for 1 hour.
Step 8

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, shiny side down. Spread two tablespoons of olive oil over the baking sheet. Transfer the dough onto the baking sheet.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, shiny side down.
Step 9

Evenly stretch the dough out to the edges of the baking sheet with your hands. The dough may not stretch to the corners of the baking sheet, that is okay. Do not tear the dough while stretching.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
Evenly stretch the dough out to the edges of the baking sheet with your hands.
Step 10

Loosely cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 1 hour.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
Loosely cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 1 hour.
Step 11

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Use your fingertips to lightly dimple the dough.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step 12

Spread four tablespoons of olive oil over the dough. Spread the zaatar evenly over the dough.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
Spread four tablespoons of olive oil over the dough.
Step 13

Bake the bread for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown. Remove the dough from the oven and sprinkle with the flaky sea salt. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes before cutting.

Zaatar Bread Recipe: 
Bake the bread for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until golden brown.
Step 14

Enjoy on its own or with a yogurt dip!

Zaatar Bread Recipe: Enjoy on its own or with a yogurt dip!

Notes:

  • Make sure the water is not from the tap. Tap water has chlorine in it and will impede the yeast from activating.
  • Good quality zaatar is incredibly important to producing delicious zaatar bread.
  • The long rise in the refrigerator allows the bread to develop flavors that are not possible with a short rise.

Nutrition Per Serving
View All
CALORIES
361
FAT
14.9 g
PROTEIN
7.9 g
CARBS
48.9 g
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1 Comments
1 Comments
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Carmela G.

Carmela

Cozymeal Team Member

22 Aug 2022

This Zaatar Bread Recipe is a must to re-create. Crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. It also comes with a very easy step by step instructions and video.

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