Middle Eastern Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Manakish
Pizza dough topped with a fragrant za'atar and olive oil blend and melted Akawi cheese, baked until bubbly, a beloved Levantine breakfast flatbread.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Good to know
- Ready in under 30 minutes
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: 30-minute meals
Instructions
6 steps- 1
Place a pizza stone or an inverted baking sheet in the oven and preheat it to 450°F (230°C) for at least 30 minutes.
- 2
In a small bowl, aggressively whisk together the za'atar blend and extra virgin olive oil to form a thick, spreadable paste.
- 3
Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece out into a thin 6-inch to 8-inch circle.
- 4
Using your fingertips, press small dimples into the surface of the dough to prevent it from puffing up too much and to create pockets for the oil.
- 5
Spread 2-3 tablespoons of the za'atar-oil mixture evenly over two of the dough circles, leaving a small border. For the remaining two, sprinkle generously with the cheese.
- 6
Transfer to the hot baking stone or sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes until the edges are golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbling. Serve warm.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
74/100
Good fit for most families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving730
Calories
17 g
Protein
86 g
Carbs
35 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Manakish is the breakfast flatbread of the Levant, sold from neighborhood bakeries across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine where families drop off their own dough to be baked in the morning. The classic version is topped with za'atar mixed with olive oil, though cheese and spiced meat versions are just as common. It is street food and home food at once, eaten folded in half on the walk to school or work.
Listahan note
This version keeps the dough simple and leans on a generous za'atar-and-olive-oil topping so the herb flavor stays front and center. It is built for a family weekend breakfast where everyone can top their own.
Technique cues
- Mix the za'atar with enough olive oil to form a loose paste, not a dry sprinkle, so it bakes into the dough instead of scorching.
- Press the dough thin and dimple it with your fingertips so the topping pools in the indentations rather than sliding off.
- Bake on a preheated stone or steel at high heat so the bottom crisps before the top dries out.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- While the dough proofs, stir the za'atar with olive oil and let the oven and stone preheat fully.
- Make-ahead
- Make and refrigerate the dough overnight; let it come to room temperature before shaping.
- Leftover move
- Re-crisp cooled manakish in a dry skillet and fold around labneh and cucumber for lunch.
- Cleanup rhythm
- Flour your work surface lightly and scrape it once with a bench knife so the dough does not cake on.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
All-purpose flour
dough base
Purpose: Builds the soft, slightly chewy flatbread that carries the topping.
Handling: Whisk with the yeast and salt before adding liquid for even hydration.
Adaptation: Swap up to half the flour for whole wheat for a nuttier, sturdier round.
Za'atar blend
signature topping
Purpose: The dried thyme, sumac, and sesame mix is the defining flavor of the dish.
Handling: Loosen with olive oil into a spreadable paste just before topping.
Adaptation: If you cannot find a blend, mix dried thyme, ground sumac, toasted sesame, and a pinch of salt.
Olive oil
topping binder and richness
Purpose: Carries the za'atar into the crumb and keeps the surface from drying out.
Handling: Use a fruity extra-virgin oil and be generous with the za'atar paste.
Adaptation: Any mild, good-quality vegetable oil works if olive oil is unavailable.
Active dry yeast
leavening
Purpose: Gives the dough its light, pillowy lift.
Handling: Bloom in warm water until foamy to confirm it is alive.
Adaptation: Instant yeast can be mixed straight into the flour, no blooming needed.
Technique notes
- Let the dough rest twice, once after mixing and again after shaping, so it relaxes and presses out without springing back.
- Brush the bare dough edge with a little oil so the rim browns to the same color as the center.
- Pull the bread the moment the za'atar darkens and smells toasty; a few extra seconds turns the herbs bitter.
Ingredient swaps
- Cheese version
- Skip the za'atar and top with a melting mix of shredded akkawi or mozzarella for the kids.
- Whole-grain direction
- Use half whole wheat flour for more fiber and a heartier chew.
- Weeknight shortcut
- Use store-bought pizza dough or naan and just bake on the za'atar topping.
Serve alongside
- Sliced cucumbers and tomatoes with mint
- A bowl of olives and labneh
- Soft-boiled eggs
- Fresh mint tea cookies
- Hot mint tea
- Strong Arabic coffee
- Fresh orange juice
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Keep cooled manakish in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to two days. Re-crisp in a dry skillet or low oven rather than the microwave, which softens the crust. Baked rounds freeze well wrapped tightly; reheat straight from frozen in a hot oven.
Equipment
- Baking stone or steel
- Rolling pin
- Bench scraper
- Pastry brush
Make this household-aware
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