Mana’eesh is a traditional Palestinian flatbread, richly topped with a mixture of za’atar and olive oil. It is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavor. Serve it warm from the oven, as a snack, a side dish, or even as a lunch to-go.
Ingredients (for 10 pieces)
For the dough:
- 400g flour
- 250 ml warm water
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 60 ml extra virgin olive oil (e.g. Palestinian olive oil from Dadelskopen.nl)
For the topping:
- 120 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 6 tablespoons za’atar from Palestine
- (Optional) 65 g grated cheese
How to make it:
-
Preheat oven
Preheat the oven to 200°C (top and bottom heat). -
Make the dough
Mix all the dough ingredients in a large bowl with a wooden spoon until a cohesive dough forms. Shape into a ball and cover with a tea towel. Let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. -
Divide the dough
Divide the dough into 10 balls (about the size of an egg). Roll them out on a floured surface into circles of approx. 15 cm. -
Apply za’atar topping
Mix the za’atar and olive oil in a small bowl. Spread a generous spoon of the mixture on each dough circle. Leave the edges free.
Optional: sprinkle with grated cheese for extra flavor. -
Pre-bake
Prick each dough circle a few times with a fork so they don't rise too much. -
Bake
Bake the mana’eesh for 10 minutes in the oven until golden brown and cooked through.
Serving suggestion
Serve warm, for example with fresh tomato, cucumber, and labneh (yogurt dip). Also delicious with soup or as a savory snack in a lunchbox.
Where to buy authentic za’atar?
You can get the best za’atar at Dadelskopen.nl – directly from Palestine. Fragrant, pure, and without additives. Perfect for authentic dishes like this mana’eesh.