How to Make Delicious and Unique Taftoon Bread in a Traditional Market Style

According to the Saed News Cooking Service, Taftoon bread (or Taftan) is a traditional flat and crispy bread made from feteer dough or “lightly risen” dough. This bread is prepared from sifted white flour, water, salt, and either commercial yeast or sourdough through fermentation processes. After shaping, it is baked on a hot surface to achieve its characteristic texture.

Ingredients for Taftoon Bread

How to Make Taftoon Bread

Follow these steps to bake delicious Taftoon bread:

Step 1
Combine the instant dry yeast with 1/3 cup of warm water and the sugar in a suitable bowl. Mix well, cover, and let it rest in a warm place for 10 minutes until it becomes bubbly and activated.

Step 2
Sift the flour, then add it to a bowl with the vegetable oil and salt. Gradually add water and mix with a spoon until the dough comes together. The exact amount of water depends on your flour.

Step 3
Some flours absorb more water while others require less, so add water gradually to avoid overly loose dough. Once the dough forms, it should remain slightly sticky.

Step 4
Knead the dough by hand for 10 minutes. At the end, it should be slightly sticky. Grease a bowl twice the size of the dough, shape the dough into a large ball, and place it in the bowl.

Step 5
Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rest in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours until the dough doubles in size.

Step 6
After resting, knead the dough lightly to release air and deflate it. Divide the dough into 60-gram portions, then cover them with a clean cloth.

Step 7
Let the dough portions rest for 10 minutes. Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Roll each portion into a round flat shape with a rolling pin and imprint patterns on the surface by hand.

Step 8
Place the shaped dough on the hot pan to bake and form bubbles. Optionally, sprinkle some sesame seeds or black cumin on top. Once baked, place the breads in a cloth or plastic bag to prevent drying.