Name: Crispy Moroccan Bread with Maakouda Filled with Spiced Potato Patties Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 2 h 55 min
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: 240 ml milk; 7 g instant yeast; 15 g honey; 450 g flour; 8 g salt; 30 g butter; Milk (for brushing); Breadcrumbs (for pressing on top); 1000 g potatoes; 3 g ras el hanout; 3 g cumin powder; 3 g onion powder; 2 g garlic powder; 2 g black pepper; 2 g cayenne powder; 5 g salt; 10 g fresh parsley; 100 g flour; 2 g cayenne powder; 2 g salt; 2 eggs; Breadcrumbs (panko preferred); Sunflower oil

If you’re craving a vibrant, flavorful treat that combines crispy textures with warm, aromatic spices, look no further than this Crispy Moroccan Bread with Maakouda Filled with Spiced Potato Patties Recipe. Imagine pillowy, golden breads stuffed with irresistibly spiced potato patties, each bite delivering a perfect harmony of crunchy exterior and soft, herby center. This dish brings the soul of Moroccan street food right into your kitchen and will quickly become your go-to for a satisfying vegetarian snack or light meal that feels like a warm hug.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows four pictures in a square grid, each featuring a woman's hand holding a small bowl above a large clear glass mixing bowl on a white marbled surface. The top left bowl is decorated with a red floral pattern and contains a white liquid. The top right bowl is wooden and holds a light beige powder. The bottom left bowl is light tan and filled with a thick golden liquid. The bottom right picture shows the glass bowl alone with a light beige mixture forming a frothy layer on the bottom inside the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting started with this Crispy Moroccan Bread with Maakouda Filled with Spiced Potato Patties Recipe is delightfully simple because each ingredient plays an important role. From the creamy milk making a tender dough to the fragrant spices that make the maakouda sing, these components come together to create a feast of flavors and textures.

240 ml milk: Lukewarm to activate the yeast and enrich the dough for softness.
7 g instant yeast: The rising hero that makes the bread wonderfully airy.
15 g honey: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a beautiful golden crust.
450 g flour: The backbone of the dough, providing structure and chewiness.
8 g salt: Balances flavors throughout both bread and patties.
30 g butter: Brings richness and tenderness to the bread.
Milk (for coating): Helps breadcrumbs stick perfectly to the dough’s surface.
Breadcrumbs: Adds the essential crispy texture to the bread’s exterior.
1000 g potatoes: The base for the maakouda filling, fluffy and creamy when cooked right.
3 g ras el hanout: Moroccan spice blend that brings warmth and depth to the patties.
3 g cumin powder: Earthy and fragrant, essential to Moroccan flavor profiles.
3 g onion powder: Provides savory sweetness without moisture.
2 g garlic powder: Lifts the flavor with mild pungency.
2 g black pepper: Adds gentle heat and complexity.
2 g cayenne powder: For that perfect little kick inside the potato patties.
5 g salt: Seasoning that keeps the flavors balanced.
10 g fresh parsley: Brightens the filling with fresh, herbaceous notes.
100 g flour (for coating): Mixed with cayenne and salt, this coats the maakouda to enhance crispiness.
2 eggs: Used to bind the coating and provide a golden crisp outer layer.
Sunflower oil: Perfect frying oil that crisps without overpowering flavors.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Crispy Moroccan Bread with Maakouda Filled with Spiced Potato Patties Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Begin by warming the milk to a comfortable temperature, then whisk in the yeast and honey. Let this mixture rest for 5 minutes to activate the yeast—this step is crucial because it guarantees that light, fluffy texture we all adore in bread. Once bubbly, combine with flour, salt, and butter, kneading by hand for 10 to 12 minutes or using a stand mixer for a shorter time until you achieve a smooth and elastic dough. Cover and let it rest in a warm spot for about an hour, giving it time to double in size and develop those classic airy pockets.

Step 2: Make the Maakouda Filling

While the dough rests, it’s time to turn simple potatoes into flavorful spiced patties. Peel and boil your potatoes until soft, then mash them thoroughly until smooth—this smoothness is your secret to patties that hold together perfectly. Stir in the ras el hanout, cumin, onion and garlic powders, black pepper, cayenne, salt, and plenty of fresh parsley for a burst of herbaceous brightness. Shape your mixture into flat cakes about 4 to 5 cm across, keeping your hands slightly wet to prevent sticking. These patties are the heart of the dish, with a gorgeous balance of spice and earthiness.

Step 3: Coat and Chill the Maakouda

Prepare a seasoning flour mixture of regular flour, cayenne, and salt. Dredge your patties first lightly in this mix, then dip into beaten eggs, followed by a generous coating of breadcrumbs for a crunchy exterior. For extra crispiness, you can double-dip by repeating the egg and breadcrumb step. Place the coated maakouda on baking paper and pop them into the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes—this chilling step prevents the coating from slipping off during frying and ensures a perfectly crisp finish.

Step 4: Shape and Prepare the Bread

Deflate your risen dough gently and roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a rectangular shape. Cut into 10 equal pieces—enough to make each bread a perfect vessel for the spiced potato patties. Brush the tops of your dough pieces with milk, then press the tops into breadcrumbs to create a beautifully textured crust when fried. Arrange them on baking paper and let them rise again until doubled in bulk, around 30 minutes, only this time they’ll get an extra crunch from the breadcrumb coating.

Step 5: Fry the Bread and Maakouda

Heat sunflower oil in a pan to about 175 °C (350 °F) and work carefully in batches. Fry the breads until golden brown on both sides, then drain on paper towels to avoid any sogginess. In a separate pan, fry the maakouda patties until their outer coating is a crisp golden shell surrounding the steamy, tender filling—this usually takes 2 to 3 minutes per side. The key to success here is maintaining the right oil temperature and frying in small batches to keep everything crispy and delicious.

How to Serve Crispy Moroccan Bread with Maakouda Filled with Spiced Potato Patties Recipe

The image shows two parts: the top part is a pan with six round pieces frying in bubbling oil, each piece light beige and covered in crumbs, surrounded by shiny, bubbling oil. The pan is dark colored and sits on a dark stove. The bottom part shows a white plate on a light wooden surface with about sixteen golden brown, round fried pieces piled on a white paper towel. The fried pieces are crispy and textured, and to the right side, there are small white flowers adding a soft touch to the scene. The overall setting is clean and simple with a white marbled surface visible behind the plate photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

These breads are fantastic on their own, but you can elevate the experience by sprinkling chopped fresh parsley or cilantro on top for a burst of color and freshness. A dollop of cooling yogurt or a drizzle of harissa sauce adds wonderful contrast and enhances the North African flair, balancing the crispy, spicy flavors perfectly.

Side Dishes

Pair this Crispy Moroccan Bread with Maakouda Filled with Spiced Potato Patties Recipe with light, fresh sides like a simple cucumber and tomato salad dressed with lemon and olive oil or a refreshing mint yogurt dip. These sides add brightness and keep the meal balanced, letting the richly spiced bread and patties shine.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun sharing platter, cut each bread in half and arrange the stuffed patties on a wooden board with bowls of dipping sauces such as tahini, harissa, or a garlicky aioli. You could also turn these into mini sandwiches for parties, garnishing with pickled vegetables and fresh herbs to impress your guests with a Moroccan-inspired feast.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Keep the bread and maakouda separated if possible to maintain maximum crispiness and prevent sogginess.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked bread and cooked maakouda patties separately by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in freezer bags. They will keep for up to a month, making this recipe great for meal prepping or unexpected guests.

Reheating

To reheat, avoid microwaving as it softens the crust. Instead, warm them in a preheated oven at 180 °C (350 °F) for about 10 minutes or until heated through and crispy on the outside again. This method revives that delicious crunch and fresh-out-of-the-pan texture.

FAQs

What kind of potatoes work best for maakouda?

Floury potatoes, like Russets or Yukon Golds, are ideal as they mash smoothly and help your patties hold their shape without becoming gummy.

Can I prepare the dough or patties ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be mixed and refrigerated overnight to develop flavor, and the patties can be assembled and stored in the fridge before breading and frying.

Is this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

This Crispy Moroccan Bread with Maakouda Filled with Spiced Potato Patties Recipe is vegetarian. To make it vegan, substitute butter with plant-based margarine and use a flax egg or aquafaba for coating instead of eggs.

How spicy is this dish?

The spiced potato patties have a gentle warmth from cayenne and ras el hanout, but you can easily adjust the cayenne to make it milder or spicier to suit your taste.

Can I bake the bread instead of frying it?

While frying gives that signature crispiness, you can bake the bread on a parchment-lined tray at 200 °C (400 °F) until golden, though the texture will be slightly less crunchy but still delicious.

Final Thoughts

I truly hope you get inspired to try this Crispy Moroccan Bread with Maakouda Filled with Spiced Potato Patties Recipe soon. It’s one of those special dishes that feels indulgent but is actually simple to make and share. Whether for a cozy night in or impressing friends with something unique, it’s bound to become a favorite that brings a taste of Moroccan magic right to your table. Enjoy every crunchy, spicy, comforting bite!