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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes

    Cheese Manakish Recipe

    Published: Oct 28, 2022 · Updated: Oct 28, 2022 by Saif Al Deen Odeh with 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Cheese Manakish is a baked Arabic Flatbread recipe that is topped with mozzarella and cream cheese. It is a popular dish across the Levant and Middle Eastern countries, which is commonly served during breakfast.

    A Middle Eastern round cheese flatbread recipe called Cheese Manakish
    Jump to:
    • What is Manakish?
    • Difference between Manakish and Fatayer
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Cooking Instruction
    • Variation and Substitution
    • Storage and Reheat
    • What do you serve this with?
    • Related Middle Eastern Recipes to Try
    • 📋 Recipe Card
    • 💬 Comments

    During my childhood experience in Jordan and Kuwait, Manakish is a popular food among locals which is considered their version of pizza. They served different kinds of toppings which include chicken, minced lamb, zaatar, or cheese.

    If you checked my food blog, you will know that I make different kinds of Middle Eastern flatbread recipes. I love baking Middle Eastern flatbread or pizza since I find them delicious. They are also easy to make and are perfect to serve for breakfast and lunch.

    What is Manakish?

    A Middle Eastern round cheese flatbread recipe called Cheese Manakish

    Manakish (مناقيش), also called Manakeesh or Manaqish, is a Middle Eastern or Arabic flatbread that contains different types of toppings. Making the dough and baking in the oven is similar to pizza, except the toppings used are different.

    In the Middle East or Levant countries, the most popular manakeesh includes chicken / minced meat, cheeses, or zaatar, which is perfect for vegan or vegetarian eaters.

    In this recipe, I am making cheese manakish, which is similar to my Turkish cheese pide. The only difference is the way how I assemble the flatbread and the type of cheese used.

    Difference between Manakish and Fatayer

    If you travel to Middle Eastern countries or have eaten in Arabian restaurants, you will notice they serve both fatayer and manakish. This can confuse you if you are not familiar with Arabic cuisines since the ingredients and the shape of the dough are almost identical, and they are both baked in the oven.

    But the truth is the only difference is that manakeesh is shaped like a flatbread which is similar to any Western pizza. On the other hand, a fatayer is assembled in a form of a pie with fillings of meats, cheese, or vegetables which is similar to an empanada.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Recipe ingredient of cheese manakish
    Ingredients for the Dough
    Recipe Ingredient of Cheese Manakish
    Ingredients for the Toppings of the Manakish

    The dough ingredients for Cheese Manakish is the same when making any pizzas or fatayer:

    • Flour: I am using white all purpose flour
    • Brown Sugar: I prefer to use brown sugar since it is more organic then white sugar. Also this will add mild sweetness on the dough bread
    • Yeast: The instant yeast will help double the size of the dough
    • Olive Oil: I am using Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This will soften and add elasticity to the dough.
    • Toppings: For the toppings, I used mozzarella and cream cheese.
    • Other Ingredients: Other things you will need will be water, sesame seeds (optional), salt, and egg yolk for brushing the dough bread.

    Cooking Instruction

    There are two things to do when making the Cheese Manakeesh: Making the Dough, and Assembling & Topping the Manakish.

    I. Making the Dough

    • Cover the dough with plastic and keep it at room temperature. I leave it for 1 to 2 hours to let the dough grow in size.
    • Once it doubles in size, I transfer it to the clean cutting board.
    • Here, I roll it into a cylindrical shape before I divide them into 6-8 pieces. Transfer to the plate and set aside
    • Cover the dough with plastic and keep it at room temperature. I leave it for 1 to 2 hours to let the dough grow in size.
    • Once it doubles in size, I transfer it to the clean cutting board.
    • Here, I roll it into a cylindrical shape before I divide them into 6 pieces. Transfer to the plate and set aside

    IIA. Assembling and Topping the Manakish (using the Rolling Pin)

    Assembling Cheese Manakeesh
    • In each dough, I use the rolling pin to make a round shape which the size will be 5-5.5 inches big.
    • After that, I spread the dough with cream cheese and then topped it with mozzarella cheese.
    • Lastly, transfer it into the oven and let it bake for 10 minutes at 200 C or 400 F.

    IIB. Assembling and Topping (using the Hand)

    If you are using your hand instead of a rolling pin, just make it into a ball shape and push it down using your fingers until it becomes a nice circular shape.

    Also, As you can see in the picture, I am only pressing the dough down on the middle so that the edges will be thicker than in the center.

    After that, the topping and baking process is exactly the same as the one mentioned in the previous post.

    One thing to know is that when I transferred it into the baking tray, I brush it with egg yolk so it will have a nice golden color, and add sesame seeds around it.

    A Middle Eastern round cheese flatbread recipe called Cheese Manakish serve on a plate

    Variation and Substitution

    • You can use other types of cheeses like Feta or Akkawi cheese.
    • If you want to add other toppings, you can add zaatar, slices of olives, or Labneh (Middle Eastern Yogurt Cheese)
    • If you don't have mozzarella, you can use provolone cheese.
    • If you don't have sesame seeds, you can use nigella seeds.

    Storage and Reheat

    • The cheese manakish must be kept in an air-tight plastic container.
    • If you store it in the fridge, this cheese flatbread can last for up to 1 week.
    • If you keep it in the freezer, it can last for more than 1 month.
    • I use a microwave when reheating the cheese flatbread I placed it on a plate and heat it for 1 minute in a medium setting

    What do you serve this with?

    Traditionally, Cheese Manakish or any Manakish recipe is served as part of a breakfast meal which means that you don't eat this alone but rather you serve it with side dishes.

    This includes other raw vegetables like slices of cucumber, tomatoes or any salad, olives, scrambled egg, or other dipping sauce like aubergine dip (Baba Ganoush) or labneh

    Related Middle Eastern Recipes to Try

    Here are other Middle Eastern baked dough-based recipes that you can make at home:

    • Cheese Fatayer
    • Zaatar Manakish
    • Shawarma Pizza

    📋 Recipe Card

    Cheese Manakish

    Cheese Manakish Recipe

    Saif Al Deen Odeh
    A Middle Eastern Cheese Flatbread recipe that is spread with cream cheese and topped with mozzarella cheese.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Middle Eastern, Arabic
    Servings 6
    Calories 359 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Baking Oven
    • 1 Rolling Pin

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 Cups White Flour
    • 1 tablespoon Instant Yeast
    • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 cup Water
    • 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 150 gram Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
    • ¼ cup cream cheese
    • 1 piece egg yolk
    • 2 tablespoon sesame seed

    Instructions
     

    Making the Dough

    • Mix warm water, yeast and brown sugar in a glass. Mix together
    • Add flour and salt to a large bowl. Pour yeast-water mixture and stir to mix.
    • Add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Use your hand to mix and knead till it becomes fluffy and elastic.
    • Cover with the plastic or plate and keep it at room temperature for 1 hour to let the dough double in size.

    Assembling and Topping the Manakish

    • Transfer the dough to the clean cutting board. Roll into a long cylindrical shape as shown in the picture in the recipe post.
    • Cut and divide them into 6 pieces. Use your hand to shape each of them into a ball.
    • In each ball, use your hand or the rolling pin to make a shape of a flatbread (5-5.5 x 5-5.5 inches)
    • Spread with cream cheese and then topped with mozzarella cheese
    • Sprinkle with sesame seed on the center of the flatbread
    • Transfer into the oven and let it bake for 10 minutes in 200 C or 400 F
    • Serve it with slices of raw vegetable or salad dishes, and hot tea

    Notes

    • If the dough is too thick, add a few drops of water to the flour till it becomes soft enough
    • If you are using your hand to shape into a flatbread, do not flatten the edges of the dough. You want to make the edges of the flatbread a bit thicker than in the center. After that, brush the edges with egg yolk to make into a golden brown.
    • If you are confused with the instructions, you can check the step-by-step pictures in the recipe post 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6gCalories: 359kcalCarbohydrates: 51.2gProtein: 10.9gFat: 12.2gSaturated Fat: 4.1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 464mgPotassium: 138mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 1.7gCalcium: 59mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword Cheese Manakeesh, Cheese Manakish
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Chenée

      October 28, 2022 at 4:04 pm

      5 stars
      this Cheese Makanish was such a treat! so simple to make and addictive!

      Reply
      • Saif Al Deen Odeh

        November 13, 2022 at 3:47 am

        Thanks for your comment Chenée.

        Reply
    2. Kathleen

      October 28, 2022 at 4:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love making homemade breads. This cheese manakish looks and sounds delightful. I'm looking forward to trying it.

      Reply
      • Saif Al Deen Odeh

        November 13, 2022 at 3:47 am

        Thank you Kathleen. I am sure you are going to love it!

        Reply
    3. Holley

      October 28, 2022 at 4:47 pm

      5 stars
      I've never had this before and it's so easy to make! Super delicious and great recipe!

      Reply
    4. Tara

      October 28, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      5 stars
      This is definitely going on my breakfast rotation! I love the mozzarella and cream cheese. Yummm!

      Reply
      • Saif Al Deen Odeh

        November 13, 2022 at 3:46 am

        Thanks Tara!

        Reply

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    About Me

    Hi, I'm Saif! I am a Filipino Jordanian Food cook that love to make and share delicious Halal Friendly Filipino, Asian, Middle Eastern and other foods from around the world 

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