afoona
Pastries

Homemade Jachnun – Yemenite Shabbat Bread – Vegan version

A classic Yemenite Shabbat bread, baked slowly through a whole night for a layered, luscious texture. Vegan version: Margarine.

⏱ 8 hr 30 min🍽 8 servings 🌍 Middle Eastern👩‍🍳 Afoona🧩 2 parts

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

  1. 1
    Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
    Bowl
  2. 2
    Add the lukewarm water and Knead about 8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, pliable and doesn't stick to your hands.
    ⚙ KneadingBowlStand mixer
    💡For yeast dough, use the windowpane test: a small piece stretches into a thin, translucent sheet without tearing, and that's the sign the kneading is done. Add flour only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much flour makes a tough dough.
  3. 3
    Cover and Let rise 30 minutes in a warm place, until the dough doubles in size.
    ⚙ ProofingPlastic wraporKitchen towel
    💡Let rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The dough is ready when it has doubled, and a gentle finger press leaves a dent that fills back slowly; if it springs right back, wait longer.

To assemble

  1. 4
    Divide the dough into 6 balls and roll each ball into a circle very thin on a work surface greased, until the dough is almost see-through.
    ⚙ Dividing into Balls and RollingRolling pin
    💡Dough that springs back needs rest: cover the balls for 10 minutes and the gluten relaxes.
  2. 5
    Spread the margarine over each sheet.
  3. 6
    Fold each sheet in thirds lengthwise and roll into a tight log.
  4. 7
    Spread the oil in a deep pan and arrange the rolls in it.
    Baking pan
  5. 8
    Cover with parchment paper and foil and bake at 110°C (230°F) overnight (7–8 hours).
    Parchment paperAluminum foilOvenBaking pan
    💡The low heat and tight cover bake the jachnun slowly in its own steam: it browns and caramelizes outside and stays soft in layers.
  6. 9
    Serve hot with crushed tomatoes and a hard-boiled egg.
450calories
7 gprotein
49 gcarbs
24 gfat
● protein 6%● carbs 44%● fat 49%

Per serving (125 g), of 8 servings

For the Dough base · To assemble ·

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⚖ About the ingredients

🔧 Tools needed (4) · 🍳 One cooking vessel

  • Oven · 💡 Workaround, changes the dish: Toaster oven (Fits one small pan; good for small batches) · Air fryer (Small batches only, no runny batters) · Pot (Only for covered stews on the stovetop, no browning on top)
  • Baking pan · Also works: Glass / ovenproof baking dish (None) · Disposable pan (None)
  • Rolling pin · Also works: Glass (for drinking/serving) (Bottle/glass, less even rolling) · Pasta machine (For pasta dough)
  • Bowl · Also works: Pot (None)

🧻 Consumables: Aluminum foil · Parchment paper · Kitchen towel or Plastic wrap

Helps, not needed: Stand mixer

By the steps, as the recipe is built now: another version or addition can change the list.

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