Malawach
A flaky, layered flatbread originating from Yemen, popular in Israel. It's typically pan-fried until golden brown and served with various accompaniments.

๐ง Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 1.25 cups Warm water
- 1 tsp Instant yeast
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 cup Vegetable oil or butter(for layering and frying)
๐จโ๐ณ Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Gradually add warm water and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
๐ก Tip: Ensure water is warm, not hot, to activate yeast. - 2
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
โฑ๏ธ 10 minutes - 3
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
โฑ๏ธ 1 hour - 4
Punch down the dough and divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball.
๐ก Tip: Work with one ball at a time, keeping others covered. - 5
On a lightly oiled surface, roll out each dough ball very thinly into a large rectangle or circle.
๐ก Tip: The thinner the dough, the flakier the malawach. - 6
Brush the surface generously with oil or melted butter. Fold the dough like a letter (in thirds) or roll it up like a jelly roll.
๐ก Tip: Don't be afraid to use plenty of oil for layers. - 7
Coil the folded or rolled dough into a spiral. Gently flatten the spiral into a disc about 6-8 inches in diameter.
๐ก Tip: Press gently to avoid tearing the layers. - 8
Heat a generous amount of oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry each malawach for 4-6 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
โฑ๏ธ 12 minutes๐ก Tip: Adjust heat to prevent burning.
๐ก Pro Tips
- โServe warm with a variety of dips like tahini, schug, or a fresh tomato salad.
- โMalawach can also be served with a hard-boiled egg and amba (pickled mango sauce).
- โFor a sweeter version, drizzle with honey or date syrup after frying.
โจ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Savory malawach: add za'atar or finely chopped herbs to the dough.
- Sweet malawach: sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon before folding.