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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Lebanese Flatbreads with Tomatoes, Za’atar and Sumac

12 5-inch flatbreads

2 hours (1 hour active)

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These savory flatbreads are Middle Eastern in origin, but we learned about them in São Paulo, Brazil, where they’re called esfihas (sometimes spelled esfirras). The breads were introduced to Brazil by Arab immigrants, particularly from Lebanon and Syria, in the late 19th century. Esfihas might be formed into dumpling-like buns that fully enclose a filling, but the ones we favored were open-face like pizzas and about the size of a saucer. At São Paulo’s Restaurante & Rotisserie Halim, Yasmin Sultan showed us how to make those pizza-style esfihas. We adapted the recipe, adding some yogurt to the dough for a richer, more tender crumb that complements a simple topping of chopped tomatoes and olive oil mixed with za’atar and sumac. Za’atar is an herb, seed and spice blend; sumac is the ground dried berries of the sumac plant. Look for both in well-stocked grocery stores, spice shops and Middle Eastern markets. If you have leftover esfihas, wrap them well and refrigerate for up to two days. Rewarm in a 425°F oven on a wire rack set in a baking sheet for five to eight minutes.

12

5-inch flatbreads

Tip

Don’t skip the step of salting and draining the tomatoes. Removing the excess moisture is important for preventing the crusts from becoming soggy.

2 hours

(1 hour active)

For the dough

  • 120

    grams (½ cup) plain whole-milk yogurt

Directions

Reviews
Stephanie L.
August 11, 2025
Wow
Couldn't not leave a review. Had a bounty of garden tomatoes to use and this was a great use. I knew these would be good reading the recipe, but wow. The texture on the bread was so unique being light and almost flakey around the edges. . . . all the flavors of great olive oil and tomatoes and seasonings. . . . this will be made again and again. Definitely add the drizzle of pomegranate molasses. So so great.
Jon S.
January 30, 2025
Great Summer Tomato Recipe
Man, what a nice surprise. Simpler than it seems.
Beverly W.
June 23, 2025
Lebanese flatbreads with tomatoes & zatar
Good recipe, loved the dough with yogurt; but found the seasonings to be excessive and too salty tasting

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