It took me some time to realize that there are many different kinds of Moroccan bread that are actually made at home. And each one serves a different purpose. Batbout is a Moroccan pita, or an American equivalent of sandwich bread. It’s a Moroccan bread often used for a quick lunch (I loved eating it for breakfast with cheese inside.)
This bread is a little different because it’s cooked on the stovetop and not in the oven. It’s a good choice if you don’t have an oven but still want bread – as was the case when we first moved to Morocco.
Batbout - Moroccan Pita Bread
Yield:
10-12 breads
Prep Time:
2 hours
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Total Time:
2 hours 45 minutes
This is the Moroccan version of pita bread. It's cooked on the stovetop, not in the oven.
Ingredients
- 4 cups white flour
- 2 cups semolina or wheat flour
- 2 Tbsp plus 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp active yeast
- 2 cups water (approximate), divided
Instructions
- Activate the yeast by mixing it with ¼ cup of warm (not hot) water and a teaspoon of sugar. Set aside the mixture until it’s frothy, about five to 10 minutes.
- Blend the flours, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the yeast, the oil and the rest of the water, and mix to form a dough. The dough should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too sticky to work with, add a little flour one tablespoon at a time. (Remember the dough will absorb a bit more flour if you knead it by hand.)
- If the dough feels a bit stiff, work in additional water, a tablespoon at a time. Knead the dough in a mixer with a dough hook, or by hand on a lightly floured surface, for about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
- Divide the dough into smooth balls and leave them to rest, covered, on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes.
- Roll out each ball into a thin circle about ⅛ inch thick. Set the rolled out dough on a clean, dry towel and cover. Leave to rise for about 1 to 1½ hours.
- Preheat a very lightly oiled cast iron skillet, griddle or other non-stick pan over medium heat.
- Cook the batbout, turning several times, until golden brown on both sides. The browning will be a bit uneven since the bread puffs up as it cooks, but that’s okay.
- Transfer the cooked batbout to a rack to cool. It’s okay to stack them while they’re warm.
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Anonymous says
at 5:49 pmHow long would i be able to freeze them for?
Amanda Mouttaki says
at 8:35 pmIn a freezer tight bag, it should be ok for 3-4 months.
MissPaper says
at 3:17 pmI am grateful for the recipes! We came home from a 12 day family trip across Morocco and are craving a Moroccan breakfast (feast)! Such a warm, welcoming place to adventure. We loved our time. Also thank you for Marvelous Morocco Tours recommendation for travelling with children for a camel treck at Erg Chibbi. ❤️