Description
This Turkish Bread is soft, fluffy, and lightly golden with a crisp crust and a sesame-topped finish. Perfect for sandwiches, dipping into soups, or serving alongside your favorite Mediterranean dishes, this traditional pide-style loaf is simple to make and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1¼ cups warm water
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Topping
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon nigella seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt until evenly distributed.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the warm water, plain yogurt, and olive oil. Stir everything together until a dough starts to form.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic, which helps develop the gluten structure needed for a soft, chewy bread.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot enough for a good crust.
- Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough gently to release air, then shape it into a large round or oval loaf. Place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Create Pattern: Use your fingertips to gently press a crisscross pattern into the surface of the dough, a signature look for Turkish pide bread.
- Apply Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and milk. Brush this mixture evenly over the dough’s surface, then sprinkle the sesame seeds and nigella seeds (if using) on top.
- Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy warm with butter, olive oil, or your favorite dips.
Notes
- Best enjoyed warm with butter, olive oil, or hummus for authentic Mediterranean flavor.
- Store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
- For longer storage, freeze the bread for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before reheating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
