Iran · Asia

Sangak

Persian bread baked straight on a bed of hot river stones.

Persian sangak breadstone-baked flatbread

The Chemistry in This Bake

Baking dough directly on hot stones, combining intense radiant and conductive heat.

Learn the full technique →

Ingredients

  • Whole wheat flour
  • All-purpose flour
  • Instant yeast (or sourdough starter)
  • Salt
  • Warm water
  • Smooth river stones

Method

  1. Mix a soft, slack dough and ferment for several hours until very bubbly.

  2. Heat smooth, cleaned stones in the oven or on a griddle until very hot.

  3. Scatter the stones in an even bed on the baking surface.

  4. Spread a stretch of dough thinly and diagonally across the hot stones.

  5. Bake 4-6 minutes; the stones imprint dimples and bake the bread fast.

  6. Peel off, brush with water to release any stuck stones, and keep warm wrapped in cloth.