5 Ingredient Skillet Flatbread (saj bread style recipe)

Five loaves of freshly baked flat bread.

4.95 from 17 votes

5 Ingredient Skillet Flatbread (saj bread style recipe)

Save this Simple Skillet Flatbread recipe because you'll be making it more often than you think and eating it with everything!

Prep Time15

Cook Time5

Total Time20

Course: Breakfast, brunch, dinner

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keyword: manakeesh zaatar, simple flat bread, skillet flat bread, zaatar flat bread

Servings: Flat Breads

Author: Lama

Ingredients

2 ½ cups All-purpose flour
1 cup + 3 tablespoons Warm water 100–110°F (38–43°C
3 tablespoons Olive oil or canola oil or avocado oil
1 tablespoon Instant yeast dry
1 tablespoon Sugar honey or maple syrup
¼ teaspoon Salt

Instructions

Mix the wet base:In a large bowl, add sugar or honey and warm water. Stir to dissolve.Sprinkle instant yeast evenly over the top of the water. Let it sit for 2–3 minutes until slightly foamy.
Add dry ingredients and oil:Add flour, salt, and 3 tablespoons olive oil to the bowl.Mix with a spoon until a dough forms — it will be slightly sticky at first.
Knead the dough:Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of flour on a clean surface.Transfer the dough and knead with the palm of your hand for 3–5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Rest the dough (optional):Cover and let the dough rest for 5–10 minutes to make it easier to roll out.
Shape into flatbreads:Divide the dough into 8 small balls, about 2 inches wide each.Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle or oval — as thin or thick as you like.
Cook the flatbreads:Heat a cast iron or nonstick skillet over high heat until very hot, then lower to medium or medium-low heat.Place one rolled-out flatbread onto the skillet. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until you see bubbles and light golden-brown spots underneath.
Flip and add toppings (optional): Flip the flatbread. On the cooked side, spread za’atar paste, cheese, or a mix of both.
For za’atar bread, brush on the paste evenly.
For cheese, sprinkle it right after flipping so it melts as the second side cooks.
You can also add pasta sauce + cheese to make a mini pizza pocket.
Serve warm: Enjoy the flatbreads plain, or fold them in half to make a warm sandwich. Serve with labneh, yogurt, or fresh veggies.

Video

Notes

TIPS AND TRICKS

High heat may make the skillet overheat causing a crunchier exterior and a doughy inside. So make sure you’re using medium to low heat.
Use low heat if you want a more pliable bread that doesn’t crack.
If you’re using yeast or any leavening agent, make sure the dough rests enough or place in fridge for at least fifteen minutes before use.
For a thinner and more flexible bread, roll out the dough as thin as possible and cook over medium heat.
For a thicker bread, you can opt out of putting the bread in the fridge and roll it out a little thicker for a fluffier outcome.
To keep from getting too many bubbles on the exterior, you can press down on the dough with your spatula as it cooks in the skillet.
Store leftover dough in the fridge up to three days (after ensuring get they’ve fully cooled). Bigger batches can be stored in the freezer in a airtight containers or bags up to three months.
To reheat flatbread just preheat the skillet and heat for a couple minutes on each side!

To make Zaatar or Cheese Saj

Za’atar Paste

3 tbsp dry za’atar
3–4 tbsp olive oil (adjust for consistency)

How to Make Za’atar Paste:

In a small bowl, combine dry za’atar with olive oil.
Mix until you have a loose, spreadable paste. Add more oil if it’s too thick, or more za’atar if you want a stronger flavor.
Set aside while you prepare the flatbread dough.

How to Make Zaatar Manaeesh or Pizza

Cook the first side: Add one flattened dough round to the skillet. After 30 seconds to 1 minute, peek underneath, when you see light golden brown spots, it’s ready to flip.
Flip and add toppings: After flipping, spread your za’atar paste or cheese, and cheese on the cooked side.
- For za’atar flatbread, brush on the paste evenly.
- For cheese, sprinkle shredded cheese, or mix za’atar + cheese for more flavor.
Optional variations:
- Add pasta sauce + cheese for a mini pizza pocket.
- Fold it in half after adding toppings to make a warm sandwich-style pocket.
Serve hot: Enjoy right away with labneh, yogurt, or veggies on the side.

Nutrition