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Barbari A Persian Bread Recipe

Experience the irresistible taste of Barbari, a beloved Persian flatbread! This recipe delivers a perfectly chewy and subtly sweet bread, perfect for breakfast with feta cheese and herbs, jam, or alongside a warm cup of tea. Similar to Armenian matnakash, our Barbari recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to impress. Inspired by a successful home-baking experience with a picky Iranian family, this recipe is your ticket to authentic Persian flavors!

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 150 mins
Calories 136.5 kcal
Protein 9g
Rating 5.0 (3 Reviews)
Barbari A Persian Bread 115

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Barbari A Persian Bread

  • 0 Bread Flour
  • 2.5 cups water (1 cup warm for dough, 1 cup for basting, 0.5 cup for glaze)
  • 0 Baking Powder
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)
  • 4 cups + 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 0 Baking Soda
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for brushing/oiling bowl)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional) + 0.5 teaspoon black sesame seeds + 0.5 teaspoon white sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Melted butter (optional, for brushing)

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How to Make Barbari A Persian Bread

  1. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (105-115°F), 2 teaspoons active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Add more flour as needed to prevent sticking.
  4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  5. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a long oval, about 12 inches long and 4 inches wide.
  6. Place the shaped dough pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, make 3-4 diagonal slashes across the top of each oval.
  7. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C). Lightly brush the tops of the bread with olive oil or melted butter.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. For extra crispiness, you can brush them with a little water during the last few minutes of baking.
  9. Let the Barbari bread cool completely on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

13 g

Sugar

3g

Fat

0g

Carbs

9g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Cuisine Preparation Occasion Healthy Flat Shapes Jewish Sephardi Breads Middle Eastern Iranian Persian Dinner Party Kosher Low Fat Vegan Vegetarian Dietary Low Cholesterol Low Saturated Fat Egg Free Healthy 2 Yeast Free Of Something Low In Something Brunch To Go 4 Hours Or Less From Scratch