Homemade Arabic Bread and Focaccia – Perfect for Family Gatherings
Last weekend I had guests—my parents—who came loaded with food: schnitzels, meatballs, smoked sausages, and even bean soup with sour cream. I suspected my mom wouldn’t bring bread, so I made Arabic bread rolls and focaccia. I also prepared homemade yogurt cheese and an eggplant salad with onions to complete the meal.
🕒 Prep & Cook Time: approx. 3 hours (including rising)
🍽️ Yield: 3 round breads (18 cm diameter each)
🥄 Ingredients
Dough:
- 250 ml lukewarm water
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sugar (level)
- 1 tsp salt (heaping)
- 450 g all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (7 g) dry yeast
For topping:
- 3 tbsp za’atar
- 3 tbsp olive oil (for za’atar paste)
- 3 tbsp olive oil (for greasing baking pans)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Prepare the dough:
- If using a bread machine, combine all dough ingredients and set to kneading and rising program. Once complete, leave dough inside the machine for an additional hour to rise.
- If mixing by hand, dissolve yeast and sugar in lukewarm water. Mix with flour, salt, and olive oil. Knead until dough is elastic and no longer sticky. Cover the bowl and let rise in a warm place for about 2 hours.
- Shape the breads:
- Divide the dough into 3 equal parts.
- Prepare three 18 cm diameter baking pans lined with parchment paper and brushed with olive oil. (For a single large bread, use a 30 cm pan.)
- Coat each dough piece with olive oil, then stretch it into a flat round shape fitting the pan. Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes.
- Prepare the za’atar topping:
- Mix za’atar and olive oil to form a spreadable paste.
- Spread about one-third of the za’atar paste evenly over the surface of each risen dough round.
- Use your fingertips to press small indentations across the dough surface, creating texture.
- Bake:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (392°F).
- Bake each bread for 25-30 minutes until golden and cooked through. Repeat for all dough rounds.
- Cool and serve:
- Let breads cool before slicing. Serve with your favorite dips or alongside meals.
💡 Tips
- Za’atar paste can be adjusted for stronger or milder flavor by varying the olive oil ratio.
- Ensure dough rises fully for fluffy bread.
- Serve fresh or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
🎉 Perfect For
- Family meals and gatherings
- Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes
- Homemade bread enthusiasts
📝 Final Thoughts
This simple Arabic bread recipe with za’atar topping adds a flavorful, aromatic touch to any meal. Its soft texture and herby crust pair beautifully with dips, salads, or grilled meats, making it a perfect complement for festive occasions.