Khobz el Dar (Algerian Semolina Bread)

If you've never tasted Algerian bread, then you should definitely give this very easy recipe a try. Known as Khobz el Dar, it requires no kneading, no special techniques, and only basic ingredients. The result is an incredibly soft bread, slightly sweet, that tastes like brioche. Absolutely delicious.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 293 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg, separated
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or more as needed
• 1 cup lukewarm milk
• 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, divided
• ½ cup semolina flour
• 2 tablespoons semolina flour

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Mix 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons semolina, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, sugar, yeast, and salt together in a large bowl. Whisk in oil, egg, and egg white. Stir in warm milk slowly until a liquid dough forms.

Step 3

Cover the bowl with a plate or plastic wrap; let stand at room temperature until frothy, about 1 hour.

Step 4

Stir in 2 3/4 cups flour with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms. Cover again and allow to rest for 30 minutes.

Step 5

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.

Step 6

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon flour over the dough and your hands. Mix dough, adding flour as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Shape into a round loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise for 1 hour in a warm place until loaf doubles in volume.

Step 7

Beat egg yolk and water in a bowl with a fork; brush over the entire surface of the loaf. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sesame seeds on top.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven until loaf is golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.