At the heart of Emirati cuisine is a flatbread meal enjoyed by everyone, known as Khameer (or Khamir or Khamyir for short).
United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states are fond of Khameer bread, which is lightly sweetened, spiced, and fermented flatbread prepared with flour, milk, dates, and yeast.
Light and fluffy, it will probably be consumed warm with cheese, honey, or confectionery foods such as Jesheed, Balaleet, or grilled meat.
What is Khameer Bread?
Khameer bread is a classic Emirati yeasted bread, usually round and soft in texture and slightly sweet with a hint of spiced aroma.
The word “Khameer” derived from the Arabic word “khamr”, meaning fermented, as yeast is employed to soften this bread and give it a pillowy texture.
Khameer bread is usually:
- Produced with a combination of flour, yeast, dates, and milk
- Seasoned with cardamom, saffron, and rosewater from time to time
- Steamed in a tandoor, on a griddle (tawa), or baked
Cultural Significance of Khameer in Emirati Cuisine
Khameer is more than bread—it’s also a reflection of Emirati hospitality and is traditionally served at:
- Breakfast with cheese and honey
- Iftar during Ramadan
- National celebrations and traditional holidays
- With main dishes such as Jesheed, Machboos, or Diyai
Khameer symbolizes warmth and comfort, usually made in large quantities to be enjoyed by families.
What Makes Khameer Bread Unique?
In contrast to flatbreads, Khameer is distinct for:
- Natural sweetness due to dates or date syrup
- Rich flavor from cardamom, saffron, and rosewater
- Fluffy interior due to fermentation using yeast
- Golden brown crust, usually brushed with ghee or butter
It’s sweet and savory, and so versatile.
Khameer Bread Recipe Ingredients
Here is the traditional list of ingredients to make authentic Khameer bread:
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp milk powder (optional, for richness)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground saffron
- 2 tsp instant yeast
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup warm milk (or as needed)
- 2 tbsp date syrup or mashed dates
- 1 tbsp rose water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or melted ghee
For Finishing:
- Butter or ghee, for brushing after baking
- Optional: sesame seeds or nigella seeds on top
How to Make Khameer Bread – Step-by-Step Instructions
If you are making Khameer bread for the first time and don’t know how to do it perfectly, then here are the step that you need to follow.
Step 1: Activate the Yeast (if using active dry yeast)
If using active dry yeast (not instant), combine it with warm milk and a teaspoon of sugar and let it sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
Skip this step if using instant yeast.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
- Combine flour, milk powder, sugar, salt, cardamom, saffron, and instant yeast in a large bowl.
- Gradually add date syrup, rose water, oil, and warm milk.
- Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes, smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or double in bulk.
Step 3: Shape the Dough
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 6–8 equal pieces.
- Roll each quarter into a ball, then flatten into a circle (about 1/4 inch thick).
- Sprinkle with sesame or nigella seeds and press gently.
Step 4: Cook the Bread
You can cook Khameer bread in three ways:
Griddle (Tawa) Method:
- Put a non-stick tawa or pan on a medium heat.
- Cook bread per bread for 1–2 minutes on each side, puffed and golden brown.
- Brush with butter or ghee and hold warm.
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Put shaped dough on a baking sheet and bake 10–12 minutes, until browned.
- Optional: Broil to brown the top.
Tandoor/Clay Oven:
- Put flattened dough on the sides of a hot tandoor and cook until puffed and browned.
Emirati Khameer Bread Recipe
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Oven
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp Milk Powder
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Cardamom Powder
- 1/4 tsp Saffron
- 2 tsp Instant Yeast
- 3/4 cup Warm Milk (adjustas needed)
- 2 tbsp date syrup or mashed dates
- 1 tbsp rose water
- 2 tbsp oil or melted ghee
Instructions
- Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add wet ingredients gradually and knead for 10 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and rest for 1–1.5 hours until doubled.
- Divide into balls and flatten into circles.
- Cook on a griddle, bake, or use a tandoor.
- Brush with ghee or butter and serve warm.
Notes
- Butter or ghee (for brushing)
- Optional: sesame or nigella seeds
Khameer can be had as a constituent of a well-balanced diet, particularly when prepared with whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners such as dates.
What to Serve with Khameer Bread?
Khameer is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed with both sweet and savory dishes.
Sweet Pairings:
- Cream cheese and honey
- Date syrup and butter
- Rose jam or fruit preserves
Savory Pairings:
- Jesheed (spiced shredded fish)
- Labneh and olives
- Grilled meat skewers
- Chickpea stew or dhal
Other Variations:
- Kuboos – A traditional Arabic leavened bread.
- Emirati Regag Bread – A popular Emirati breakfast bread.
- Kesra Bread – A traditional Algerian flatbread.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Khameer
- Use saffron milk for strong aroma and color.
- Mash dates well in case of not using date syrup to prevent clumps.
- Ferment the dough in a warm, draft-free area.
- In case of dough too sticky, add flour 1 tbsp at a time.
- For softness, cover cooked bread with a towel during cooling.
Khameer- The Traditional Emirati Bread!
Khameer is more than just a flat, traditional bread—more akin to a comfort food that’s become an integral part of UAE culinary and cultural life.
Soft and sweet and gently spiced, it goes perfectly with anything from rich seafood dinners like Jesheed to honeyed jams and cheese.
Whether you’re a newcomer to Emirati food or wanting to make a taste of home, the Khameer bread is a flavor that will warm every table.
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