Moroccan Bread

Khobz — Everyday Moroccan Bread

By The Moroccan Cooks KitchenUpdated

Round semolina and flour loaves baked flat and soft, the bread used as a fork at every Moroccan meal.

Two round loaves of Moroccan khobz bread on a wooden board
Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
45 min
Serves
8
Difficulty
Easy

Khobz is on the table at every Moroccan meal, and it is not there to be buttered. It is torn into pieces and used to scoop tagine, salad and sauce straight from the communal dish.

The dough is half strong flour, half fine semolina — the semolina gives it the slight bite and pale gold crumb that makes it recognisably Moroccan.

Two loaves, about two hours from start to finish, most of it waiting.

Ingredients

Servings

Makes 8 servings

Instructions

  1. Mix

    Combine the flour, semolina, salt, sugar and yeast. Add the oil and then the water gradually, mixing to a soft dough.

  2. Knead

    Knead for 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not sticky — add a little semolina if it clings.

  3. Shape

    Divide in two and shape each piece into a ball. Flatten each into a disc about 20 cm across and 1.5 cm thick on a semolina-dusted tray.

  4. Prove

    Cover with a cloth and leave in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes, until visibly puffed and springy to a light press.

  5. Dock and bake

    Heat the oven to 220°C. Prick the loaves several times with a fork so they stay flat, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes until pale gold and hollow-sounding underneath.

  6. Cool

    Cool on a rack under a cloth for 10 minutes — the cloth keeps the crust soft enough to tear.

Cook’s notes

  • Pricking the dough is not decorative. Skip it and the loaf balloons into a pitta.
  • Khobz is at its best within a few hours. Day-old bread goes into soup or is toasted and crumbled over salads.

Recipe information

Prep time
20 min
Cook time
25 min
Total time
45 min
Servings
8
Calories
210 kcal per serving
Cuisine
Moroccan
Course
Bread
Difficulty
Easy
Keywords
khobz, moroccan bread recipe, moroccan khobz, moroccan flatbread

Nutrition is an estimate per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Values vary with brands, cuts and portion size.

Frequently asked questions

Can I cook khobz in a pan?
Yes — that version is called batbout. Cook the proved discs in a dry heavy pan over a medium-low heat for 5 to 6 minutes a side until puffed and lightly spotted.
Why semolina and flour together?
Semolina alone gives a crumbly, heavy loaf; bread flour alone gives a soft European roll. The mix produces the firm, slightly grainy crumb that holds up to scooping sauce.

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