This homemade zaatar bread is a delightful Middle Eastern flatbread topped with a flavorful blend of zaatar spices. It’s perfect for serving as an appetizer, snack, or accompaniment to meals.
The recipe is simple and requires basic ingredients, making it easy to prepare fresh bread at home. You can enjoy it warm with olive oil or as a base for various toppings.
Creating the Perfect Zaatar Bread
Making zaatar bread at home is a rewarding experience that fills your kitchen with delightful aromas.
The combination of warm, freshly baked bread and the fragrant zaatar spice mix creates an inviting atmosphere.
This Middle Eastern flatbread is not only easy to prepare but also offers a unique flavor profile that can complement various meals or stand alone as a snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is essential for achieving the perfect zaatar bread.
You’ll need all-purpose flour, salt, sugar, instant yeast, warm water, and olive oil.
The star of the show, the zaatar spice mix, typically includes thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac, providing a burst of flavor that enhances the bread.
The Dough-Making Process
Start by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Combine the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast thoroughly.
Next, gradually incorporate warm water and olive oil, stirring until a dough begins to form. This step is crucial for ensuring a well-mixed base.
Once the dough is formed, transfer it to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes.
The goal is to achieve a smooth and elastic texture, which is key to the bread’s chewiness.
Letting the Dough Rise
After kneading, place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a cloth.
Allow it to rise in a warm area for about 30 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
This rising period is vital, as it contributes to the lightness of the final product.
Shaping and Topping the Bread
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 4-6 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a flat circle about 1/4 inch thick.
This is where you can get creative with the shape and thickness, depending on your preference.
Prepare the zaatar topping by mixing the spice blend with a bit of olive oil to create a paste.
Spread this mixture evenly over each rolled-out dough, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
Baking and Serving Suggestions
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and place the prepared bread on a baking sheet.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the bread turns a beautiful golden brown.
The aroma that fills your kitchen during baking is simply irresistible.
Once out of the oven, consider brushing the bread with additional olive oil for an extra layer of richness.
Serve warm, perhaps alongside a small bowl of olive oil for dipping, and enjoy the delightful flavors of homemade zaatar bread.
Easy Zaatar Bread Recipe
This zaatar bread features a soft, chewy texture with a fragrant topping of zaatar spice mix, which typically includes thyme, sesame seeds, and sumac. The recipe takes about 1 hour from start to finish and yields 4-6 pieces.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons zaatar spice mix
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and instant yeast.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Gradually add warm water and olive oil to the dry ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let it Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Bread: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 4-6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a flat circle about 1/4 inch thick.
- Prepare the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the zaatar spice with a little olive oil to form a paste. Spread the mixture evenly over each rolled-out dough.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and brush with additional olive oil if desired. Serve warm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 4-6 pieces
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 22g