Zaatar Bread Recipes

ZA'ATAR BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 3 cups flour and salt. Stir in the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Turn dough out on a lightly floured work surface. Knead until smooth, about 10 minutes. Grease a large bowl. Place dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F (260 degrees C).
• Divide dough into 16 equal pieces and form into rounds. Roll into 1/4-inch-thick circles. Poke rounds with your fingers to create small indentations.
• Mix za'atar and olive oil together in a small bowl. Spread over circles. Place on ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until dough is golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes.

LEBANESE ZAATAR (ZA'ATAR) BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix water, yeast, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, olive oil, and corn oil; mix using your hands, adding more whole wheat flour if needed, until dough holds together. Mix za'atar into dough until evenly incorporated (see notes).
• Shape dough, about 1/4 cup per piece, into rounds on a floured work surface. Arrange rounds on baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 25 minutes.

NO-YEAST WHOLE WHEAT ZA'ATAR BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 9-inch round cake pan with a large sheet of parchment, pressing it into the edges of the pan and leaving an overhang on 2 sides (the extra parchment will help you unmold the loaf later).
• Whisk the whole wheat flour, bread flour, sugar, za'atar, lemon zest, salt, baking soda and baking powder together in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, melted butter and egg together in a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup until combined. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour the buttermilk mixture into the center. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir the mixture until it starts to come together in a shaggy mass.
• Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Turn the dough mixture out onto the floured surface and knead a few times to bring it together. Shape it into a domed disk that's about 7-inches in diameter. Place the dough into the prepared pan and cut a cross about 1/2 inch deep into the center of the dough using a sharp knife. Brush the top and sides with more buttermilk, then sprinkle with a few good pinches of za'atar and the sesame seeds.
• Bake until the top is puffed and lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and use the parchment overhang to lift the bread from the pan. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.