Turkish Pide Bread Recipe | No Knead Ramazan Pidesi

With its soft, fluffy texture and a subtle chewiness, this no-knead Turkish Bread recipe, is one of the easiest breads you'll make at home. Perfect for dipping into soups and stews or making sandwiches!

What is Turkish Bread?

Turkish Bread, also recognized as Pide Bread or Ramazan Pidesi, is a classic Turkish flat bread celebrated for its signature soft and chewy texture. It holds a special place in Turkish culinary tradition, frequently gracing the tables during significant occasions such as Ramadan. This bread typically boasts an attractive diamond pattern and is adorned with sesame seeds, making it not only delicious but also visually appealing.

The name "Ramazan Pidesi" is derived from its association with the holy month of Ramadan. It is customary for individuals observing fasting during Ramadan to break their fast with this delectable bread, adding to its cultural significance.

Why Make this homemade bread?

• Easy - No Kneading Required: This Turkish Bread recipe does not require any kneading; simply mix and proof!
• Perfect for Sandwiches or as a Dipping Bread: The soft texture of this delicious Turkish Bread is perfect for sandwiches or dipping into your favorite soup.
• Authentic Turkish Flavor: Experience the authentic flavors of Turkey in your own kitchen.
• Impress Your Guests: Serve this visually striking bread at gatherings and leave a lasting impression.

Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: We use all-purpose flour because we always have it in our pantry.
• Fleischmann's instant dry yeast. Instant dry yeast is used instead of active dry yeast in this recipe to save time.
• Warm Water: In his book, Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza, Ken Forkish talks about the importance of thinking about time and temperature as ingredients. In baking, timing and dough development is critical - the lukewarm water temperature is important because a warm dough will develop faster than a cooler one. For an even softer bread use milk instead of water.
• Olive oil is used to grease the containers to proof the dough. It also infuses the dough with a rich, savory flavor. If you don't have olive oil, use a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil.
• White granulated sugar. Adding sugar is a modern method used to feed the yeast to speed up fermentation. Sugar also helps to brown the bread.
• Table salt is used to season the dough. You can also substitute with an equal amount of fine sea salt.
• White Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds have a long history in Turkish cuisine and are often used as a garnish on Turkish breads. It adds some delicious nuttiness to the bread flavor.
• Nigella Seeds: Also known as black cumin or kalonji, nigella seeds are often used on Turkish bread. It not only provides a visually appealing contrast but also adds an earthy, nutty flavor and a distinct aroma.
• Egg (Beaten): Creates a golden, shiny crust.

How to Make this Turkish Bread recipe:

Step One: Mix and proof the dough. Add the instant yeast, warm water, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly. Add the flour and the salt to the yeast mixture and mix with a wooden spoon until there is no visible flour left. There is no need to knead the dough. The dough will be very wet and shaggy. Drizzle some oil on top of the dough. Using a bench scraper, shape the dough into a rough ball making sure that the entire dough ball is covered with a thin film of olive oil. Cover the bowl and place in a warm place. Proof for 1 - 1 ½ hour or until the dough has doubled in size.

Step Two: Shape and proof the dough again: Place a piece of parchment on a baking tray. Pour the dough from the large bowl onto the parchment paper. There is no need to flour the parchment or the dough as the olive oil will make it very easy to manipulate the dough. Cut the proofed dough in half. Shape each piece into a round shape with your hands or a rolling pin until the dough is about 1 inch thick. Cover the shaped dough with a towel. Proof for about 45 minutes. Note: Begin preheating the oven to 480°F after 30 minutes of proofing.

Step Three: Make a design on the bread. Using your middle three fingers, dent the top of each dough circle in a circle about an inch from the edge. Make a diamond pattern inside each circle by making dents first in straight parallel lines across the top, then making lines that crisscross to make the diamond pattern. Using a pastry brush, brush the top of the bread with the egg wash. Sprinkle the top with white sesame seeds and nigella seeds. Note: Press lightly when making the design so that you do not deflate the bread.

Step Four: Bake the bread. Bake the bread in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes until golden brown. If you prefer a darker color bread, turn off the oven and let the bread brown for about 5 minutes.

Tips to Make the Best Homemade Turkish Bread:

• Allow sufficient time for the dough to rest for enhanced flavor.
• Use parchment paper to shape the dough since the dough is quite sticky.
• Don't add more flour as this will make the dough less fluffy.
• Press lightly when making the design so that you don't deflate the bread.
• Substitute warm milk for warm water if you prefer an even softer bread.

Nutrition:

A single serving of this Turkish Pide Bread has about 153 calories, 3.7g of fat, and 25.4g of carbohydrates.

This recipe yields approximately eight servings. The nutrition guidance is intended for informational purposes only. Please use it as a general guideline. If the nutrition information is important to you, you should independently verify it using your preferred tool.

STORAGE AND FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS

Counter: Freshly baked Turkish bread can be cooled, then stored in an airtight container for about 3-4 days.

Refrigerate: Fresh Turkish bread can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Make sure the bread is completely cool before putting it in the fridge.

Freeze: Completely cool the bread, then freeze individually on a tray. Once frozen stack the bread with a piece of parchment in between and tightly wrap in aluminum foil or plastic wrap or store in an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen bread lasts for about 6 months.

Defrost: Allow the bread to defrost on a counter for an hour or overnight in the refrigerator. See directions below to warm the defrosted bread.

How to reheat Turkish bread

There are several effective methods for reheating Turkish bread. The key is to give it a light spray of water before heating to ensure that the steam can effectively soften and moisten the bread.

• Microwave: Wrap the bread in a wet paper towel and microwave until warm.
• Stovetop: Heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Transfer the the pita bread to the skillet. Sprinkle with a little water so that the steam moistens and freshens the bread.
• Oven: Heat the oven to 375°F. Place the bread on a lined baking sheet and sprinkle with a little water. Bake until warm - about 8-10 minutes.

How to serve Turkish Bread

Turkish bread truly shines when served warm or at room temperature. Although its origins lie in Turkey, it pairs well with diverse cuisines. In fact, it transforms into a delightful snack or breakfast option, especially when dipped in plain yogurt and drizzled with a touch of olive oil (a personal favorite of mine). The combination of its soft interior and chewy exterior makes it a popular choice for sandwiches.

When it comes to sandwich fillings, the possibilities are endless. You can experiment with diverse options such as Indian Beef Seekh Kabab, thinly sliced Pot Roast, smashed Lebanese Falafel, Japanese Hibachi Steak and sliced America Ribeye Steak. Take your sandwich to the next level by adding additional toppings like Tabbouleh Salad, Sumac Onions, Greek Salad or zesty Hot Green Sauce.

For game day gatherings, consider assembling a mezze spread featuring thin strips of Turkish bread accompanied by an assortment of dips, including baba ghanoush, hummus, and Tzatziki sauce. It also serves as an excellent base for bruschetta.

Furthermore, this fluffy bread can be presented as a side dish to accompany soups like French Onion Soup or to complement hearty dishes with velvety sauces, such as Moroccan Lamb.

Variations:

For a twist on tradition, try adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to this Turkish Bread recipe dough. You can also experiment top with black sesame seeds instead of nigella and pul biber (crushed Aleppo pepper or Turkish Chili).

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