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Easy Arabic Bread Dough (Manakish Dough) Recipe

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4.2 from 6 reviews

This Easy Arabic Bread Dough recipe is perfect for making traditional Middle Eastern flatbreads like Manakish. The dough is soft, elastic, and quick to prepare using simple pantry staples like flour, yeast, yogurt, and water. It can be rolled out and topped with za'atar, cheese, or other toppings before baking to golden perfection. The bread is ideal for serving warm and fresh but stores well for up to several days and freezes beautifully for longer preservation.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 5 medium-large flatbreads

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp active dry yeast (7 grams) or 25% less instant yeast powder
  • 3 cups plain all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup plain yogurt or plant-based yogurt (optional; can be replaced with neutral oil)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, combine lukewarm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir well and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active. Meanwhile, sift the flour and mix it with salt in a large bowl.
  2. Mix and knead the dough: Pour the activated yeast mixture and yogurt into the flour mixture. Stir to form a rough dough, then knead by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and bounces back when poked. If sticky, add flour tablespoon by tablespoon; if too dry, add water gradually. Alternatively, use a stand mixer or food processor with a dough blade for faster kneading.
  3. Proof the dough: Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and lightly coat it with oil. Place it back in the bowl, cover with a kitchen towel or cling film, and let it rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour until it doubles in size. For cooler environments, warm the oven on low for 5-10 minutes, switch it off, and let the dough rise inside the oven.
  4. Prepare for baking (Manakish): Preheat the oven to its highest temperature (around 500ºF / 260ºC) with an inverted oven tray or pizza stone inside. Divide the dough into 5 balls for larger flatbreads or 8 balls for medium-sized ones. Roll each ball to about 1/4-inch thickness and shape into circles or oblongs. Press your fingers across the dough surface to create indentations, which prevent puffing and allow space for toppings.
  5. Add toppings and bake: Spread toppings of your choice, such as za'atar or cheese, evenly over the dough. Carefully transfer the dough onto the preheated tray or stone and bake for 5 to 6 minutes until edges and bottoms are lightly browned.
  6. Cool and store: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Cover with a kitchen towel to keep the bread soft. Freshly baked bread can be stored in an airtight container or refrigerated for up to five days. Dough can be wrapped tightly and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Baked breads freeze well for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen bread in a 250ºF (120ºC) oven for 20-25 minutes until warmed through.

Notes

  • If the dough is too sticky or too dry, adjust by adding flour or water gradually for perfect texture.
  • You can substitute plant-based yogurt to keep the dough vegan-friendly.
  • Pressing indentations into the dough prevents it from puffing up during baking and creates pockets for toppings.
  • Use a pizza stone or inverted tray preheated in the oven for best bottom crust results.
  • Store dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 days or freeze baked breads for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat bread at a low oven temperature to keep it soft and fresh.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5-6 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/easy-arabic-bread-dough-manakish-dough-recipe/