Moroccan Pita Bread (Batbout) Recipe

By
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih
Christine Benlafquih is a freelance writer and cooking class instructor with a background in Moroccan cuisine.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/26/21
Moroccan Pita Bread (Batbout) Recipe

The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Plus: 2 hrs
Total: 2 hrs 50 mins
Servings: 20 servings

While Middle Eastern pita bread is baked in the oven, the Moroccan equivalent, batbout, is cooked stove top in a skillet or on a griddle.

Also known as mkhamer or toghrift or matlou', it features a soft and chewy texture and, if cooked properly, a pita-like pocket that's perfect for making sandwiches of all kinds.

This recipe for batbout is made using a blend of white, whole-wheat, and semolina or durum flours. Adjust the ratio of flours to your own preference, but avoid using white flour only as the end result will be gummy.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon yeast

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups semolina or durum flour

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil

  • 2 cups warm water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Moroccan Pita Bread (Batbout) Recipe ingredients

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  2. Activate yeast by combining it with 1/4 cup of warm water and a teaspoon of sugar. Set mixture aside until it's frothy, about 5 to 10 minutes.

    yeast, water and sugar in a bowl

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  3. In a large bowl, combine flours, remaining sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl.

    combine the flours, remaining sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  4. Add yeast mixture, oil, and the rest of the water, and mix to form a soft, manageable dough.

    dough in a bowl

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  5. Knead 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. The dough should be quite soft but not sticky. If it's too sticky to work with, add a little flour one tablespoon at a time. If dough feels a bit stiff, work in additional water one tablespoon at a time.

    dough on a floured surface

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  6. Divide dough into smooth balls the size of small plums and let rest, covered, on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes.

    dough balls covered with a towel on a floured surface

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  7. Roll out each ball into a thin circle about 1/8 inch thick. Set rounds of dough on a clean, dry towel and cover. Leave to rise for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until light and puffy.

    dough rolled out on a floured surface

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  8. Heat a very lightly oiled cast-iron skillet, griddle or other nonstick pan over medium heat. Allow pan to get quite hot.

    oiled skillet

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  9. Cook batbout in batches, turning several times, until golden brown on both sides. The browning will be a bit uneven since bread puffs up as it cooks, but that's okay.

    pita bread cooking in a skillet

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

  10. Transfer cooked batbout to a rack or towel-lined basket to cool. It's fine to stack them while they're warm.

    Moroccan Pita Bread (Batbout) on a platter

    The Spruce / Sonia Bozzo

Storing Batbout

Batbout will keep fresh for two days at room temperature. They freeze well and can be heated directly from the freezer in a microwave oven just until thawed. Avoid overheating or they will dry out.

About Batbout

  • Traditionally, you might find batbout served with grilled meats, but in Ramadan, batbout are often stuffed with tuna, cooked chicken, or kefta, cold cuts or other fillers.
  • When made thicker and without a pocket, you'll also find batbout dipped in hot syrup made from butter and honey, in the same manner done for msemen or beghrir. 
  • Kids will love watching you make batbout because the bread puffs up as it cooks.
  • Note that if the batbout is made thicker, as may be the case when serving with honey, the bread may not puff up. In that case, it still can be used for sandwiches by simply slicing or gently prying open the interior to make a pocket.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
173 Calories
3g Fat
32g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 20
Amount per serving
Calories 173
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 2%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 128mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 79mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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