Description
Cheese Manakeesh is a beloved Lebanese flatbread loaded with a rich blend of salty, stretchy, and creamy cheesesโperfectly crispy on the bottom and gooey on top. Whether youโre making it for breakfast, a midday snack, or a party appetizer, this savory treat brings bold Mediterranean flavors to your table. Customize it with sujuk, sesame, or black seeds for an authentic Middle Eastern experience.
Ingredients
Dough:
-
1/2 cup warm milk
-
1/2 cup warm water
-
1 tsp yeast (rounded)
-
2 tsp sugar
-
1/2 tsp salt
-
2 tbsp olive oil
-
2 1/4 cups flour
Cheese & Toppings:
ย
-
485 g Akkawi cheese
-
350 g mozzarella cheese
-
125 g buffalo mozzarella
-
Optional: sujuk (spicy sausage), sesame seeds, black seeds
Instructions
-
In a large bowl, combine warm water, milk, yeast, sugar, salt, and olive oil. Whisk to blend.
-
Add flour and mix with a spatula until a dough forms. Knead by hand for 8โ10 minutes or with a mixer for 4โ5 minutes until smooth.
-
Roll dough into a log, cut into 4โ6 portions depending on desired size, shape each into a ball, and let rest covered for 20โ30 minutes until doubled.
-
Grate cheeses and prep toppings. Drain buffalo mozzarella to remove excess moisture.
-
Heat an oven-safe pan on medium heat for 10โ15 minutes. Preheat oven to broil.
-
Flatten and roll out each dough ball on a floured surface. Keep rolled dough covered with parchment between layers.
-
Brush hot pan with ghee, lay dough down, and cook for 1 minute. Add cheese and toppings, pressing gently.
-
Check browning underneath, cook up to 40 more seconds if needed.
-
Transfer to oven and broil for 1 minute. Check and broil 20โ30 seconds longer if desired.
ย
-
Remove and cool on wire rack. Sprinkle sesame or black seeds while warm.
Notes
-
Drain cheese well to avoid soggy dough.
-
Add sujuk for a spicy twist.
-
For a vegetarian version, omit sujuk and stick to traditional cheese and seeds.
ย
-
Best enjoyed warm, fresh from the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 manakeesh
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg