Zaatar Manakish Recipe

_{This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.}

Zaatar Manakish is a Middle Eastern flatbread made from wheat dough topped with a mixture of zaatar spice and olive oil. It is a popular breakfast dish, especially in the Levantine region. This recipe is for Gluten-free Zaatar Manakish.

What is Zaatar?

Zaatar or Za’tar refers to both a herb spice mixture and a herb plant. An authentic zaatar mixture consists of the following:

• Ground Zaatar herb, which is native to the Levantine region of the Middle East.
• Sumac powder for adding lemony flavor.
• Roasted sesame seeds add crunchiness.

The texture should be coarse, herbal, and fluffy rather than fine powder. Genuine and authentic zaatar mix is usually challenging to find and more expensive, especially if you live outside the Middle East region. Most supermarket brands use substitutes and fillers that mimic zaatar taste, resulting in different flavor profiles. It is best to get your zaatar mix from a Middle Eastern supermarket or online brand you trust.

I live in DXB, and there are many places we can buy authentic zaatar mix, but the best zaatar I have ever tasted, I usually get it through a friend who gets it directly from Palestine; it’s the freshest, most delicious zaatar mix. You will know what a fake zaatar tastes like once you try an authentic, fresh one. The most common way to enjoy zaatar mix the ” Middle Eastern way” is a dip with quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh bread or zaatar manakish, which is the recipe for today.

What is Zaatar Manakish?

It’s a dough (Pizza or Flatbread dough) topped with a mixture of Zaatar and olive oil. It’s cooked in a pizza oven and served piping hot. A traditional recipe uses wheat flour, but this recipe uses a simple gluten-free dough that is easy to make—you don’t need an oven, just a stove!

Recipe Ingredients:

• Gluten-free flour blend: Use an All-purpose gluten-free flour blend. My two favorite brands are Bobs Red Mill Gluten-Free 1 to 1 baking flour and Organic Larder Gluten-free All Purpose White flour. Both brands contain rice flour. You can use All-purpose gluten-free flour that is self-raising or regular all-purpose flour (like in this recipe) and add baking flour.
• Coconut Greek yogurt is the best for this recipe; I use Koko Greek-style coconut Yogurt. Alternatively, you can use any coconut yogurt. If you are worried about the coconut taste, I can assure you that the manakish will not taste “coconutty” at all. However, if you prefer to use another plant-based yogurt, this recipe works with soy yogurt as well.
• Baking powder: omit if using self-raising gluten-free all-purpose flour.
• Extra virgin olive oil.
• Salt.
• Zaatar mix

Tips & Tricks to make the best Gluten-free manakish:

• I have tested this recipe with many different types of all-purpose gluten-free flour blends, and it has always been a success. My two favorite brands are Bobs Red Mill Gluten-Free 1 to 1 baking four and Organic Larder Gluten-free All Purpose White flour, which I believe is available only locally in DXB. Both brands contain rice flour. You can use all-purpose gluten-free flour that is self-raising, or use regular all-purpose flour (like in this recipe) and add baking flour.
• I use this same dough recipe to make basic gluten-free flatbread, which is what manakish is really. The resulting dough will have a perfect texture, can be folded easily, and will be chewy. This recipe will not work if you use only one ingredient in GF flour, such as rice or oat flour.
• Coconut Greek yogurt is preferred to make the perfect gluten-free dough; it has the ideal texture. I tested the recipe with other coconut yogurt, such as Cocobella, which has a thicker texture than Koko. If you use thick and creamy coconut yogurt, you might need to add a teaspoon of water to each cup of yogurt.

How to serve Zaatar Manakish?

Below are a few ideas to serve it:

• With fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh mint, and olives.
• Add your favorite Vegan cheese and melt it; you will have zaatar and cheese manakish.
• One of my favorite ways to enjoy zaatar manakish is to dip it in labneh; I use a store-bought vegan labneh.
• Or have it solo with a cup of black tea.

Storing Leftovers:

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to a month. Reheat in the oven or on the stovetop until warm, then enjoy.

When stored in the fridge, the dough tends to get hard. When reheating, sprinkle some water and reheat on a hot pan, flipping it a couple of times until it is heated and the dough tends to get softer.

Why do you need to make this gluten-free manakish today?

• It is easy to make GF dough with simple ingredients; no yeast is required, and no proofing is required.
• It can be quickly cooked in a pan, with no oven required.
• Healthy, Vegan, and gluten-free.

If you like this recipe and are looking for more Vegan recipes inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, make sure to check the below vegan recipes at VBA:

• Vegan eggs and potato recipe.
• Oatmeal recipe.
• Homemade hummus recipe
• Vegan butternut squash soup.
• Wellness shots recipe.

If you make this recipe, I’d love a comment and a rating. Please make sure to tag me in re-creation on Instagram @veganbilaraby. I love to see your take on my vegan recipes 💚