afoona
Breads & Pastries

Yemeni Jachnun – Gluten-free version

Classic Yemeni jachnun – a layered pastry baked slowly overnight. Gluten-free version: Gluten-free flour blend.

⏱ 9 hr🍽 8 servings 🌍 Israeli👩‍🍳 Afoona🧩 2 parts

👨‍🍳 Method

For the Dough base

  1. 1
    Mix the gluten-free flour blend, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
    Bowl
  2. 2
    Add the lukewarm water and Knead about 10 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 gluten-free flour blend only by the tablespoon, and only if the dough is still sticky after a few minutes: too much gluten-free flour blend makes a tough dough.
  3. 3
    Cover and let the dough rest 30 minutes.
    Kitchen towel
    💡A dough without yeast doesn't rise: resting lets the gluten relax, so the dough can then be stretched very thin without tearing.

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
    Arrange the rolls in a greased deep pan.
    Baking pan
  5. 8
    Cover with parchment paper and foil and bake at 100°C (210°F) overnight (8–10 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 a hard-boiled egg, grated tomato and zhug.
372calories
6 gprotein
49 gcarbs
16 gfat
● protein 7%● carbs 54%● fat 39%

Per serving (120 g), of 8 servings

For the Dough base · To assemble ·

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⚖ About the ingredients

🔧 Tools needed (5) · 🍳 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)
  • Kitchen towel · Also works: Plastic wrap (Plastic wrap over the bowl) · Paper towels (None)

🧻 Consumables: Aluminum foil · Parchment paper

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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