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Khubz Arabi (Arabic Flatbread) Recipe

4.5 from 148 reviews

Khubz Arabi is a traditional Middle Eastern flatbread known for its soft, pocketed structure, perfect for stuffing with your favorite fillings. This recipe uses a simple mixture of all-purpose flour, instant yeast, milk, and water, yielding fluffy, warm bread baked at high heat to create the signature puffed pockets.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

  • 3 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 packet Instant yeast (about 2 1/4 tsp)
  • 1 cup Milk (about 105110 ℉)
  • ½ cup Water (about 105110 ℉)
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • ½ tsp Granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Mix and Knead Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, warm milk, warm water, olive oil, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Knead the mixture until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, bouncing back when poked. You may use a stand mixer with a dough hook for convenience and better consistency.
  2. First Rise: Cover the dough with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, allowing the yeast to activate and the dough to double in size.
  3. Divide and Rest: After the dough has risen, punch it down to deflate. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Let the dough balls rest for 15 minutes to relax the gluten, making rolling out easier.
  4. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C), placing a baking sheet upside down inside or using a pizza stone. Ensure it is fully heated to create the hot surface needed for proper puffing.
  5. Roll and Bake: Roll out each dough ball into thin rounds. Carefully place them on the hot baking sheet or pizza stone and bake for about 2 minutes on one side until puffed and slightly golden, then flip and bake for an additional 1 minute.
  6. Cool and Store: Remove the baked Khubz Arabi and place them inside a clean towel to keep them soft while cooling. Serve warm or store wrapped to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Make sure the milk and water are warmed to 105-110 ℉ to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
  • You can substitute water for all the liquid for a dairy-free version if desired.
  • Using a pizza stone improves the puffing and texture but a preheated inverted baking sheet works well too.
  • Keep the baked bread wrapped in a towel or cloth to retain softness; otherwise, it may become crusty.
  • This bread is versatile and can be used for sandwiches, wraps, or served alongside dips like hummus.

Keywords: Khubz Arabi, Arabic bread, Middle Eastern flatbread, pocket bread, pita bread, homemade bread