Description
Lebanese Flatbread with Labneh, Akawi, and Za’atar is a Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring crisp golden crust, creamy labneh, melted akawi cheese, and aromatic za’atar. Easy to prepare and full of bold flavors, it’s perfect as a snack, appetizer, or light meal.
Ingredients
- 1 batch thin-crust yeast dough (for 2 flatbreads)
- 8 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt, divided
- 8 ounces labneh (4 ounces per flatbread)
- 4 tablespoons za’atar spice blend (2 tablespoons per flatbread)
- 2 cups shredded akawi cheese (1 cup per flatbread, soaked overnight to remove excess salt)
- Extra olive oil for brushing pans or pizza stone
Instructions
- Prepare dough a day ahead, refrigerating overnight for best flavor.
- Soak akawi cheese chunks overnight in cold water, changing water 1–2 times. Drain, dry, and shred before using.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) with a pizza stone inside if using.
- Divide dough into 2 portions. Brush sheet pans with olive oil or flour a pizza peel if using stone. Stretch dough thinly.
- For each flatbread: drizzle 4 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle 1 tablespoon coarse salt, spoon 4 ounces labneh, sprinkle 2 tablespoons za’atar, top with 1 cup shredded akawi, sprinkle 1 tablespoon za’atar, and drizzle 4 tablespoons olive oil.
- Bake 12–20 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
- Remove, drizzle each flatbread with 2 tablespoons olive oil, rest briefly, slice, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Substitute mozzarella, feta, or kasseri for akawi if unavailable.
- Add toppings like tomatoes, olives, or caramelized onions for variety.
- Sprinkle chili flakes or drizzle chili oil for heat.
- Try fresh thyme or oregano mixed with za’atar for added herb flavor.
- Use vegan labneh and cheese for a plant-based version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight soaking and dough prep)
- Cook Time: 12–20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 flatbread)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
