Saudi Street Food Mutabbaq | A Crispy Arabian Treat | مطبق

  • Post category:Snacks
  • Post last modified:January 21, 2025
  • Reading time:14 mins read

If you’ve ever wandered through the vibrant streets of Saudi Arabia, the smell of sizzling Mutabbaq is unforgettable. A crispy, golden snack filled with tasty meat, eggs, and onions. It’s not just food; it’s a big part of life in Saudi Arabia. People eat it during Ramadan, on special days, or just when they want a quick, yummy treat. It’s fun to share with family and friends, and now you can make it at home too. Let’s learn more about this amazing dish and how to prepare it!

Saudi Street Food Mutabbaq served with lemon and green chilies

WHAT IS MUTABBAQ?

Mutabbaq is a famous snack from Saudi Arabia that looks like a flatbread but is so much more! It’s crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and filled with tasty ingredients like minced meat, eggs, and onions. The name “Mutabbaq” comes from the Arabic word for “folded,” which is how this treat is made—by folding dough around a yummy filling.

Mutabbaq is especially popular during Ramadan and when people visit Makkah for Hajj or Umrah. It’s loved for its hearty flavor and quick preparation.

VARIATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD

Did you know that Mutabbaq has cousins around the world? As it is moving across continents, It is known with many other names and various spellings such as Murtabak, Martabak, Matabbak, Muttabak, Metabbak, Mutabbaq or in India, people call it a spinoff of Mughlai Paratha.

Depending on where you are, the fillings can change! like egg only, egg with minced meat, chicken, and sweet mutabbaq variations include banana, cream and many others. No matter where you try it, the essence of Mutabbaq remains the same crispy, flavorful, and unforgettable!

Mutabbaq and its lawful variations are famous in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and Thailand.

What’s in the name?

While some people have taken the meaning of Mutabbaq word wrong as “Folded” in Arabic, in fact, it is derived from “Tabaq” which means flat tray or dish. beaten eggs, chopped leeks, chives, or green onion (scallions) and minced meat.

Mutabbaq Nostalgia

Growing up in the streets of Makkah and later moved to Jeddah, Mutabbaq was an all-time favourite and most enjoyable experience for while family. Especially when you squeeze juicy lemon while heat is dancing away from hot mutabbaq, placing the small square in the mouth along with a tiny bite of chilli, the crunch sound of outer crispy layer mixed with tangy lemon and sparking chilli; I cannot express the flavour and mixing of stuff unless you try it your self.

Without further ado, let now keep waiting and dive down into the recipe which is easy to make at home.

Freshly cooked Saudi Mutabbaq served with lemon and green chilies.

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Let’s get rolling

This original recipe of Mutabbaq is close to what we experience at restaurants across Saudi Arabia.

I have changed in a way that I used boiled meat and only green onion leaves.

Step-by-Step Mutabbaq Recipe

Preparing the Dough

To start with our Saudi Street Food Mutabbaq; we need the following Ingredients

  • 1 cup Flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Oil
  • and 1/2 cup lukewarm water
  • water will be added gradually
Step-by-step preparation of Saudi street food Mutabbaq

Even if you are kneading the dough with a machine or by hand make sure to add water gradually as all water will not be used.

If you are preparing the dough with a machine it will take 3-4 minutes and approx. 9-10 minutes by hand. The prepared dough should be neither hard nor soft and it should not be sticky at all.

Now the dough is ready, let’s put some oil and let it rest for 30 minutes. Resting the dough is very important.

Step-by-step preparation of Saudi street food Mutabbaq

MEAT STUFFING

Now let’s prepare the meat stuffing for Mutabbaq

  • Start with 2 eggs
  • 200g boiled minced meat
  • 1 small tomato seedless
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Cumin powder
  • 1 tsp Black pepper
  • 4-5 Spring onion leaves only

let’s mix it well

Step-by-step preparation of Saudi street food Mutabbaq

You can use more eggs but it will make the pastry difficult to handle

Step-by-step preparation of Saudi street food Mutabbaq

MEAT BAG

Now let’s prepare the sheet for Mutabbaq filling, spread some oil on the mat, take a small ball and roll with hands and then with a rolling pin.

Step-by-step preparation of Saudi street food Mutabbaq

The muttabaq sheet should be thinner which makes it crunchy we will also make the dough thinner so we can see the surface under it add the meat stuffing in a rectangular shape and fold it from all the sides.

MUTABBAQ FINAL STAGE

Brush some oil on the pan; now let’s put mutabbaq on the pan carefully from the folded side.

Make a small hole using a toothpick to release the steam so it can cook properly during cooking as it will cook from both sides evenly.

Step-by-step preparation of Saudi street food Mutabbaq

Usually, it takes 2-3 minutes for each side for filling to cook properly.

Perfect Ways to Serve Mutabbaq

Cut the cooked Mutabbaq into small squares and serve it with lemon wedges and green chilies. The fresh lemon adds tanginess, while the chilies bring a little spice. If you want, you can even dip it in a yogurt-based sauce for a cooling touch.

Crispy squares of Mutabbaq on a serving plate with garnish

Why You Should Make It at Home

Mutabbaq isn’t just a delicious snack; it’s a little piece of Saudi tradition you can bring to your own kitchen. Making it at home is fun and lets you customize the filling to your taste. Plus, it’s perfect for sharing with family and friends. Imagine serving hot, crispy Mutabbaq with a side of lemon and chili—it’s bound to impress everyone!

Saudi Street Food Mutabbaq

Been to Saudi Arabia and tried famous Saudi Street food Mutabbaq? Oh Yes, what a wonderful and delicious treat it is. This super easy and crunchy recipe of Mutabbaq is close to what you have experienced in Saudi Arabia. Crunchy, fluffy and served with lemon and chillies, it will take you to the trip to Saudi Arab and its memories. treat yourself with care while staying at home with delicious lockdown recipe.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Arabian
Keyword: Murtabak, Mutabak, Mutabbaq
Servings: 2
Calories: 631kcal

Ingredients

DOUGH

  • 1 cup Flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Oil

MEAT STUFFING

  • 2 eggs
  • 200 g Minced Meat
  • 1 Tomato Diced
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Cumin Powder
  • 5 Spring Onions

Instructions

DOUGH PREPARATION

  • To start with our Saudi Street Food Mutabbaq; we need the following Ingredients
    1 cup Flour
    1 tsp Salt
    1 tbsp Oil
    1/2 cup lukewarm water (water will be added gradually)
  • Even if you are kneading the dough with a machine or by hand make sure to add water gradually as all water will not be used.
  • If you are preparing the dough with a machine it will take 3-4 minutes and approx. 9-10 minutes by hand. The prepared dough should be neither hard nor soft and it should not be sticky at all.
  • Now the dough is ready, let's put some oil and let it rest for 30 minutes. Resting the dough is very important.

MEAT STUFFING

  • Now let’s prepare the meat stuffing for Mutabbaq
    Start with
    2 eggs
    200g boiled minced meat
    1 small tomato seedless
    1 tsp Salt
    1 tsp Cumin powder
    1 tsp Black pepper
    4-5 Spring onion leaves only
  • let’s mix it well (You can use more eggs but it will make the pastry difficult to handle)

MEAT BAG

  • Now let’s prepare the sheet for Mutabbaq filling, spread some oil on the mat, take a small ball and roll with hands and then with a rolling pin.
  • The muttabaq sheet should be thinner which makes it crunchy we will also make the dough thinner so we can see the surface under it add the meat stuffing in a rectangular shape and fold it from all the side.

MUTABBAQ FINAL STAGE

  • Brush some oil on the pan; now lets put mutabbaq on the pan carefully from the folded side.
  • Make a small hole using a toothpick to release the steam so it can cook properly during cooking as it will cook from both sides evenly.
  • Usually, it takes 2-3 minutes each side for filling to cook properly.
  • Once mutabbaq is ready and the filling is cooked properly inside then cut into pieces and serve with green chillies and lemon.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 631kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 2466mg | Potassium: 644mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1049IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 7mg

Mutabbaq is a dish that brings people together. Whether you’re trying it for the first time or recreating memories, this recipe will bring smiles to your table. Try it today and share the joy!

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