• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Amira's Pantry
  • About me
  • All Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Shop
  • Subscribe!
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About me
  • All Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Shop
  • Subscribe!
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About me
  • All Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Shop
  • Subscribe!
×
Home » Baking

Harcha (Moroccan semolina bread)

Published: Jun 20, 2020 · Modified: Jan 16, 2024 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe

Harch or Harsha is a Moroccan semolina bread close to the English muffins yet very different in taste and much more thinner. The texture is more like the cornbread.

Harcha is enjoyed in breakfast or with the afternoon tea, can be filled with cheese, butter and honey spread, chocolate, jam, and much more.

Harcha bread cut in half and piled up on a blue rimmed plate.

Harcha bread

Harcha basically means rough, and this is due to the face that this bread has an outer rough texture as it is spread over a semolina layer.

Hot to make Harcha

step by step for making Harcha
  • In a small bowl, add yeast, half the sugar and ¼ cup of warm water. Mix well and leave to proof for 10 minutes.
  • In a deep bowl, mix together semolina, remaining sugar, baking powder and salt.
  • Pour in the olive oil and melted butter and mix with your finger tips making sure semolina granules are covered well with the olive oil and butter. It should look more like a graham-cracker crust.
  • Add the yeast mixture and mix.
  • Gradually add warm water until you get a smooth dough.
  • Cover and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • Heat a pan or a griddle on medium.
  • Flatten the dough on a semolina covered surface to about ¼ inch thickness.Using a large cookie cutter cut rounded mini Harchas . Reduce heat to low, place the harcha and cook thoroughly for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Harcha bread stacked on a plate with a small bowl of olive oil.

Harcha notes:

  • Many people make this bread with butter and milk for a richer harcha. This recipe came from a Moroccan friend as her family favorite.
  • Harcha keeps well in the freezer. Simply reheat in oven or on stovetop to freshen them up.
  • I loved dipping Harcha in rich olive oil, it tastes amazing.

Enjoy by spreading butter, or with jam, honey, cream cheese, or any kind of cheese or simply by dipping it in olive oil. Do not forget the tea it is the perfect companion :).

Related Recipes

  • Unleavened bread is easy to make and does not require any special ingredients or equipment. All you need is flour, water, olive oil and salt.
  • Whole wheat pita bread is a nutty soft pita bread made from whole wheat flour mixture. Great for making falafel sandwich, dipping in Hummus or using using to mop up stews and soups.
  • With just a few key ingredients, you can bring the taste of Morocco to your kitchen with this easy Harira Soup Recipe. A filling and warming recipe that you need to try.
Harcha bread cut in half and piled up on a blue rimmed plate.

Harcha bread

A popular Moroccan bread served for breakfast, snack or with afternoon tea. Harcha is one of the most versatile bread you can ever eat. Fill it with jam, butter, honey, cheese or whatever you heart desires.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Course: bread, Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Moroccan
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 266.7kcal
Author: Amira

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fine semolina.
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder.
  • 1 teaspoon of dry yeast.
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar divided.
  • ¼ cup warm water for proofing the yeast.
  • ¼ teaspoon salt.
  • ½ cup olive oil . Note1
  • 1 Tablespoon butter melted.
  • ¼ - ½ cup of warm water for the dough. Note2

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, add yeast, half the sugar and ¼ cup of warm water. Mix well and leave to proof for 10 minutes.
  • In a deep bowl, mix together semolina, remaining sugar, baking powder and salt.
  • Pour in the olive oil and melted butter and mix with your finger tips making sure semolina granules are covered well with the olive oil and butter. It should look more like a graham-cracker crust.
  • Add the yeast mixture and mix.
  • Gradually add warm water until you get a smooth dough.
  • Cover and let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • Heat a pan or a griddle on medium.
  • Flatten the dough on a semolina covered surface to about ¼ inch thickness.Using a large cookie cutter cut rounded mini Harchas . Reduce heat to low, place the harcha and cook thoroughly for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
  • Let it cool down a bit before serving.

Notes

Note1: You can use melted butter instead.
Note2: You can make it with warm milk.
Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

Nutrition

Calories: 266.7kcal | Carbohydrates: 12.3g | Fat: 24.8g | Saturated Fat: 4.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16.7g | Cholesterol: 6.2mg | Sodium: 33.2mg | Potassium: 12.9mg | Fiber: 0.3g
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AmirasPantry or tag #AmirasPantry!

Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors

This recipe originally published March 2014. Updated for some housekeeping things on June 2020. No change to the recipe.

Would you like to save this post?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

More Baking

  • An overhead image of some peanut butter and jam cookies on a serving platter.
    Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies
  • Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
  • A close up image of a piece of lemon meringue cheesecake.
    Lemon Meringue Cheesecake
  • Golden biscuits on a grey serving platter.
    Cracker Barrel Biscuits
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly

About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melaney

    October 08, 2019 at 8:54 am

    Hi Amira, so glad I found this site!My husband is Egyptian and we lived in various countries in the Middle East spanning 20 years.I have started trying your recipes and they bring back memories of my time there.Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Amira

      October 08, 2019 at 2:30 pm

      Thank you so much Melaney for your comment and feedback, I hope you like what you try from here. If your hubby craves any recipe you do not know, do not hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  2. Janet

    October 08, 2018 at 3:50 am

    I made it but nobody ate anything

    Reply
    • Amira

      October 09, 2018 at 1:14 am

      Janet, What about you? May be they are just not willing to try something new.

      Reply
  3. Noor

    April 08, 2014 at 9:56 am

    I do love making this bread especially during Ramadan with harira.

    Reply
    • Amira

      April 08, 2014 at 4:44 pm

      It is very easy and delicious one. Thanks Noor.

      Reply
  4. Liz

    March 19, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Your harcha sounds wonderful! I've never heard of this type of bread, but I'd be happy to partake 🙂

    Reply
  5. John@Kitchen Riffs

    March 19, 2014 at 11:55 am

    I've had this bread before! It's wonderful. But never made it. I absolutely will someday -- it's wonderful stuff. So glad you made this -- I'd actually forgotten all about it (it's been decades since I've had it). Good stuff -- thanks.

    Reply
  6. Shashi @ RunninSrilankan

    March 19, 2014 at 8:43 am

    WOW - yum - so love the texture of this bread!

    Reply
  7. Marie

    March 19, 2014 at 4:59 am

    It looks good and delicious. I can even smell its good taste from where I am sitting. I tried it some time ago but it didn't work very well.
    I'll have another go tonight!!

    Reply
    • Amira

      March 20, 2014 at 12:37 pm

      I hope you will like it this time Marie.

      Reply
  8. Vanessa

    March 19, 2014 at 2:26 am

    I can nearly smell and taste how good it must be! Love semolina bread!
    Do you think I can prepare it with millet semolina or is it only with wheat semolina?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Amira

      March 20, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      They are great I hope you try them one day.

      Reply
    • Amira

      March 20, 2014 at 1:49 pm

      It should be made with fine semolina so well you'll never know until you try 🙂 make half the patch and see.

      Reply
  9. Joanne T Ferguson

    March 18, 2014 at 5:41 pm

    G'day! I have never heard of Harcha before, so thank you Amira for allowing me to learn something new!
    Cheers! Joanne

    Reply
  10. Dalia

    March 18, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    I love Harcha so so much but I have a kid who is allergic to milk and I've never thought it could be done without milk!!! Thank you so much. I have to try this.

    Reply
  11. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You

    March 18, 2014 at 11:59 am

    What a great bread recipe, Amira! Nothing with semolina can go wrong plus I am a fan of Moroccan cuisine!!!

    Reply
  12. Henna

    March 18, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    I saw this in my inbox and I was instantly intrigued! I've never seen or heard of Harcha, but this looks delicious! I bet it would be amazing for breakfast with poached egg 😀

    Reply
  13. Coffee and Crumpets

    March 18, 2014 at 10:05 am

    5 stars
    It's like you read my mind! I was looking at this recipe just last week and thinking to make it for dinner. I never did because I ran out of time. Looks really yummy! If I have time this week, I will try your recipe!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Amira Photo

Hey Y'all, I'm Amira.
I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by!
I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
More About Me…

Search for a recipe:

Reader Favorites

  • A white plate with two biscuit pieces with sausage gravy on top.
    Turkey Sausage Gravy
  • A top view pf a white bowl of potato soup.
    Instant Pot Chicken and Potato Soup
  • A pan with no wine chicken francese pieces topped with lemon rinds with a spoon scooping the sauce.
    Chicken Francese Recipe; Without Wine
  • A piece of chocoflan on a white dessert plate with caramel dropping down its side.
    Chocolate flan cake
  • Kitchen tongs scooping some pasta with alfredo sauce from a skillet.
    Alfredo Sauce Without Cream
  • A close up picture of a chicken shawarma wrap placed on a awhite countertop with a lemon wedge on the side.
    Chicken Shawarma Recipe

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for our latest recipes

Contact

  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 - Amira's Pantry

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required