Middle Eastern-Inspired Flatbread
Middle Eastern-Inspired Flatbread
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for dough
For Topping and Cooking
- as needed olive oil, for cooking and brushing
- as needed sesame seeds, for topping
- as needed za'atar, for topping
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Mix well with a spoon until the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a separate large bowl, add the all-purpose flour and salt. Whisk them together to combine.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Pour the activated yeast mixture into the dry ingredients. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix with a sturdy spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms and most of the flour is incorporated.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the kneaded dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
⏱️ 60 min
- 6
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into 4 equal-sized balls.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Take each dough ball and, on a lightly floured surface, roll it out with a rolling pin into a thin, round flatbread shape, approximately 6-8 inches in diameter.
⏱️ 4 min
- 8
Brush the rolled-out flatbreads generously with olive oil. Sprinkle them with sesame seeds and za'atar to your liking.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Once hot, place one flatbread in the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown, puffed up, and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining flatbreads.
⏱️ 12 min
- 10
Serve the warm flatbreads immediately as a side dish, with dips, or as a base for sandwiches.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Middle Eastern-Inspired Flatbread
For the Dough
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for dough
For Topping and Cooking
- as needed olive oil, for cooking and brushing
- as needed sesame seeds, for topping
- as needed za'atar, for topping
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Mix well with a spoon until the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a separate large bowl, add the all-purpose flour and salt. Whisk them together to combine.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Pour the activated yeast mixture into the dry ingredients. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix with a sturdy spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms and most of the flour is incorporated.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the kneaded dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
⏱️ 60 min - 6
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and divide it into 4 equal-sized balls.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Take each dough ball and, on a lightly floured surface, roll it out with a rolling pin into a thin, round flatbread shape, approximately 6-8 inches in diameter.
⏱️ 4 min - 8
Brush the rolled-out flatbreads generously with olive oil. Sprinkle them with sesame seeds and za'atar to your liking.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Heat a non-stick pan or griddle over medium heat. Once hot, place one flatbread in the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown, puffed up, and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining flatbreads.
⏱️ 12 min - 10
Serve the warm flatbreads immediately as a side dish, with dips, or as a base for sandwiches.