Description
This Arabic Dough recipe is a versatile and soft dough perfect for making traditional Middle Eastern breads and pastries such as manakeesh, fatayer, and sfiha. Made with simple ingredients including all-purpose flour, instant yeast, yogurt, and warm milk, it yields a tender and elastic dough that rises beautifully. The optional egg enriches the dough, adding extra softness and flavor. Ideal for home bakers looking to craft authentic Arabic flatbreads with ease.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup warm milk (plus more as needed)
- 1 egg (optional, for enriched dough)
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the leavening and seasonings.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in the plain yogurt, vegetable oil, warm milk, and the egg if using. Mix until a shaggy dough forms that comes together but is not yet smooth.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough either by hand or using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for 8–10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky. Add warm milk one tablespoon at a time if the dough feels too dry or stiff.
- First rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch down and use: Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release air bubbles. It is now ready to be shaped and used for making manakeesh, fatayer, sfiha, or any Arabic bread recipe of your choice.
Notes
- For an extra soft dough, substitute half of the warm milk with warm water.
- You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight after the first rise, which helps develop flavor and improves texture.
- Use warm milk around 100°F (38°C) to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Adding the optional egg enriches the dough, resulting in a softer and more tender crumb.
- If you prefer a thinner dough, roll out the dough evenly before baking or frying your selection of breads or pastries.
