Barbari bread—crowned with crunchy, aromatic seeds—is best straight out of the oven when the crackly, glazed crust gives way to billows of steam and fluffy crumb.

Barbari Bread Recipe: 3 Tips for Making Persian Flatbread

Barbari bread, also known as nan-e barbari or noon barbari, is a leavened Iranian flatbread brushed with roomal (the flour glaze responsible for its golden crust) and topped with a mix of sesame and [nigella seeds](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-and-cook-with-nigella-seeds). Also known as “Persian flatbread,” the crackly bread is characterized by its oval shape and linear ridges made by lightly pressing the fingers into the surface of the dough before baking.

Barbari is a popular bread option in Iran, where it is used to make sandwiches or served alongside [mast-o khiar](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mast-o-khiar-recipe) (Persian cucumber-yogurt dip), feta cheese, clotted cream, or grapes.  

You can enjoy barbari anytime, but in Iran, it’s a particular favorite at breakfast. Serve it with a spread of accompaniments like: 

1. __Fresh cheese__. Fresh cheese pairs perfectly with barbari bread. Opt for briny crumbles of [feta cheese](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese), soft, spreadable farm cheeses, or clotted cream.
2. __Produce__. Create an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, like grapes or sliced cucumber, with a few slices of warm barbari bread.
3. __Honeycomb__. The sweetness of honeycomb is a natural highlight for the tang of fresh cheese and creates a sweet, tangy bite when spread on a piece of barbari.  
4. __Jams or fruit conserves__. For a savory, spiced spin on jam on toast, pair barbari with your favorite [fruit jam](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-homemade-jam-in-4-steps-easy-berry-jam-recipe) for a light breakfast.
5. __Nuts__. Serve sliced barbari bread with various nuts like [walnuts](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-guide-to-walnuts) or [almonds](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-almonds)—either raw, toasted, or seasoned—for a textural crunch and handheld snacking.
Like any leavened bread, the proving process is the key to barbari’s texture, so be patient, and allow proper resting time. Here are a few other tips for pulling off a great loaf: 

1. __Use a pizza stone__. The key to a great loaf of barbari is the crispy golden underside, which is traditionally achieved in a tandoor, or clay oven. Home cooks can accomplish the same effect with a preheated pizza stone. If you don’t have a pizza stone, an edgeless baking sheet is the next best option.
2. __Use bread flour__. The stretchy, airy texture of barbari is due to high-protein [bread flour](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bread-flour-guide). Using all-purpose flour will work, but it will result in a thinner, slightly denser loaf.
3. __Try different spice blends__. Barbari bread is traditionally topped with a combination of sesame seeds and nigella seeds, also known as black caraway, which have a distinct aroma of onion, cumin, and oregano. If you’re feeling creative, use dried rose petals and fresh herbs for a bit of color, or top the bread with poppy seeds or [everything bagel seasoning](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/everything-bagel-seasoning-recipe), for a twist on an old standby.
Barbari bread—crowned with crunchy, aromatic seeds—is best straight out of the oven when the crackly, glazed crust gives way to billows of steam and fluffy crumb.

Barbari bread, also known as nan-e barbari or noon barbari, is a leavened Iranian flatbread brushed with roomal (the flour glaze responsible for its golden crust) and topped with a mix of sesame and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-and-cook-with-nigella-seeds' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-eat-and-cook-with-nigella-seeds","linkCopy":"nigella seeds","category":null}'>nigella seeds</a>. Also known as “Persian flatbread,” the crackly bread is characterized by its oval shape and linear ridges made by lightly pressing the fingers into the surface of the dough before baking.Barbari is a popular bread option in Iran, where it is used to make sandwiches or served alongside <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mast-o-khiar-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mast-o-khiar-recipe","linkCopy":"mast-o khiar","category":null}'>mast-o khiar</a> (Persian cucumber-yogurt dip), feta cheese, clotted cream, or grapes.

What Is Barbari Bread?

You can enjoy barbari anytime, but in Iran, it’s a particular favorite at breakfast. Serve it with a spread of accompaniments like: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Fresh cheese. Fresh cheese pairs perfectly with barbari bread. Opt for briny crumbles of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-serve-and-store-feta-cheese","linkCopy":"feta cheese","category":null}'>feta cheese</a>, soft, spreadable farm cheeses, or clotted cream. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Produce. Create an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, like grapes or sliced cucumber, with a few slices of warm barbari bread. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Honeycomb. The sweetness of honeycomb is a natural highlight for the tang of fresh cheese and creates a sweet, tangy bite when spread on a piece of barbari. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Jams or fruit conserves. For a savory, spiced spin on jam on toast, pair barbari with your favorite <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-homemade-jam-in-4-steps-easy-berry-jam-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-the-best-homemade-jam-in-4-steps-easy-berry-jam-recipe","linkCopy":"fruit jam","category":null}'>fruit jam</a> for a light breakfast. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Nuts. Serve sliced barbari bread with various nuts like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-guide-to-walnuts' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/complete-guide-to-walnuts","linkCopy":"walnuts","category":null}'>walnuts</a> or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-almonds' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-almonds","linkCopy":"almonds","category":null}'>almonds</a>—either raw, toasted, or seasoned—for a textural crunch and handheld snacking. </li></ol>

5 Types of Foods to Serve With Barbari Bread

Like any leavened bread, the proving process is the key to barbari’s texture, so be patient, and allow proper resting time. Here are a few other tips for pulling off a great loaf: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Use a pizza stone. The key to a great loaf of barbari is the crispy golden underside, which is traditionally achieved in a tandoor, or clay oven. Home cooks can accomplish the same effect with a preheated pizza stone. If you don’t have a pizza stone, an edgeless baking sheet is the next best option. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Use bread flour. The stretchy, airy texture of barbari is due to high-protein <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bread-flour-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bread-flour-guide","linkCopy":"bread flour","category":null}'>bread flour</a>. Using all-purpose flour will work, but it will result in a thinner, slightly denser loaf. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Try different spice blends. Barbari bread is traditionally topped with a combination of sesame seeds and nigella seeds, also known as black caraway, which have a distinct aroma of onion, cumin, and oregano. If you’re feeling creative, use dried rose petals and fresh herbs for a bit of color, or top the bread with poppy seeds or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/everything-bagel-seasoning-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/everything-bagel-seasoning-recipe","linkCopy":"everything bagel seasoning","category":null}'>everything bagel seasoning</a>, for a twist on an old standby. </li></ol>

3 Tips for Making Barbari Bread

Barbari Bread Recipe 

Barbari bread—crowned with crunchy, aromatic seeds—is best straight out of the oven when the crackly, glazed crust gives way to billows of steam and fluffy crumb.

Barbari bread—crowned with crunchy, aromatic seeds—is best straight out of the oven when the crackly, glazed crust gives way to billows of steam and fluffy crumb.
