Middle East Manakeesh (Spice Tart) with Za'Tar

Name: Middle East Manakeesh (Spice Tart) with Za'Tar
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. sugar; 1 cup warm water; 2 tsp. active dry yeast; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp. salt; 4 tbsp. za'tar; 2 tbsp. olive oil; 1/2 tsp. lemon juice; 1 cup dried thyme, pulverized; 1 cup sumac; 1/4 cup cooked, roasted unsalted chickpeas (qadaama), finely pulverized; 3 tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted; 1 tbsp. marjoram; 2 tbsp. salt

Servings: persons

1 tbsp. sugar
1 cup warm water
2 tsp. active dry yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. za'tar
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1 cup dried thyme, pulverized
1 cup sumac
1/4 cup cooked, roasted unsalted chickpeas (qadaama), finely pulverized
3 tbsp. sesame seeds, toasted
1 tbsp. marjoram
2 tbsp. salt

1
FOR THE SPICE TART: In a small bowl, dissolve the honey in the warm water.
2
Sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir until it dissolves.
3
Let the yeast mixture stand for 5 minutes, until a layer of foam forms on the surface.
4
In a large bowl, combine the flour and the salt.
5
Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the olive oil and the yeast mixture.
6
Stir the flour into the wet ingredients, until all the flour is incorporated.
7
If its too dry, add more water.
8
On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 15 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic.
9
Shape the dough into a ball and put in in a well-oiled bowl.
10
Cover with a moist towel and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (about 1 1/2 hours).
11
ONE HOUR before baking the pizzas, start preheating the oven with pizza stones inside at 500 degrees F. Roll out 6 equal circles of dough.
12
FOR THE ZA'TAR: Combine all ingredients together and store in a jar to use as needed.
13
Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl, mix za'tar mix with the olive oil and lemon juice.
14
Pour the za'tar mixture equally on the dough circles and smooth it over the dough surface.
15
Place on pizza stones and bake until dough is done (8-10 minutes).
16
Eat warm.

554

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 14 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 tbsp. sugar, 1 cup warm water, 2 tsp. active dry yeast, 3 cups all-purpose flour, and more.

Yes, Middle East Manakeesh (Spice Tart) with Za'Tar falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!