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Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread)

Name: Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread)
Total time: 110 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 350 g All-purpose flour; 2 tsp Instant dry yeast; 3 tbsp Sugar; 220 ml Milk; 3 tbsp Butter; 150 g Cheese, soft cheese, cubed for stuffing; 4 tbsp Honey

110 min Medium 4 servings

Serves 4 · Total 110 min · Prep 90 min · Cook 20 min

Updated on 28 October 2026

Photo: Mohammed Qays Kazem / CC BY-SA 4.0

Soft yeast rolls arranged tightly in a round pan so they bake into a honeycomb pattern, stuffed with sweet cheese and drizzled with honey and butter straight out of the oven. A beloved Saudi breakfast and teatime bread.

Quick answer: 110 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: All-purpose flour, Instant dry yeast, Sugar, Milk · amounts in metric and US

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Ingredients

Metric US

350 g 2.8 cup All-purpose flour
2 tsp 2 tsp Instant dry yeast
3 tbsp 3 tbsp Sugar
220 ml 0.9 cup Milk
3 tbsp 3 tbsp Butter
150 g 5.3 oz Cheese, soft cheese, cubed for stuffing
4 tbsp 4 tbsp Honey

Steps

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Knead flour, yeast, sugar, warm milk and 2 tbsp melted butter into a soft, smooth dough.
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest in a warm place for 60 minutes until puffy.
⏱ Dough rising · 60 min
Punch the dough down and divide it into 16 equal balls. Flatten each one, press a 10 g cube of cheese into the centre and pinch it shut so the cheese cannot leak.
Arrange the balls tightly packed in a greased round pan so they touch, honeycomb-style; let rise for 20 minutes.
⏱ Second rise · 20 min
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 18 to 22 minutes until the top is deep golden.
⏱ Baking · 20 min
While still hot, drizzle generously with warm honey and the remaining melted butter before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread) take to make?

Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread) takes about 110 minutes in total. That is about 90 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking.

How many people does this Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread) recipe serve?

This version serves 4. The Degchi app has a servings scaler if you need more or fewer portions.

What ingredients do I need for Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread)?

You need All-purpose flour, Instant dry yeast, Sugar, Milk, Butter, Cheese, Honey.

Is Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread) difficult?

Degchi rates it Medium, with 6 steps in the method; steps that need timing have a built-in timer in cook mode.

Is Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread) halal, vegetarian or eggless?

It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.

What will I probably need to buy for Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread)?

Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: instant dry yeast. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: milk, butter, cheese. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: all-purpose flour, sugar, honey.

Any tips for making Khaliat Nahl (Honeycomb Bread)?

Also spelled khaliat al nahal, khaliyat nahl or khlia nahl, and called Omani or Yemeni honeycomb bread. The name means "beehive", for the tightly packed buns. Cheese options: mozzarella plus cream cheese melts best, or use akkawi or nabulsi cheese soaked in water to remove the salt. Keep the cubes small and sealed well.