Patir is layered, denser and more filling. Fat (tail fat or butter) goes into the dough, which is then rolled into a log. Patir is the festive bread, while ordinary non is for every day.
Patir is a festive Uzbek flatbread baked for weddings, anniversaries and other big celebrations. Unlike everyday non, it has tail fat (kurdyuk) or butter worked into the dough, which is folded into layers, so the bread comes out flaky, denser and more filling. The crust is crisp and glossy; inside, the crumb is layered and full of the flavour of the fat. Patir keeps longer than ordinary non: up to 5 days with no loss of quality.
Method
- 1
Activate the yeast in the warm milk with the sugar; leave for 10 minutes, until frothy.
- 2
Make a dough from the flour, the yeasted milk, the egg and the salt, without any fat.
- 3
Cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- 4
Roll the dough out into a large, thin sheet and spread it with the softened fat.
- 5
Roll it up into a log and cut it into pieces 4 cm thick.
- 6
Turn each piece cut side up and roll it into a 20 cm round, leaving a thick rim.
- 7
Prick the centre with a chekich (a bread stamp) or a fork.
- 8
Heat the oven to 230 °C and put a dish of water on the floor of the oven.
- 9
Transfer the patir to a baking tray, brush with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- 10
Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the crust is a deep golden brown.
Cook's tips
- Tail fat gives the classic Uzbek flavour; butter makes a more European-style bread.
- The thick rim matters: it stays soft while the centre turns crisp.
- Rolling the dough into a log is what creates the layers, so do not skip this step.
- Patir makes a good gift: wrapped in a tea towel, it keeps its flavour for up to 5 days.
FAQ
Patir (festive flatbread): common questions
Yes: butter is an equally good substitute. Vegetable oil is not recommended, as the texture will be different.
500 g flour makes 3 patirs, which is enough for 4 servings.
Up to 5 days wrapped in a tea towel at room temperature, or up to 7 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze it; reheat it in the oven for 7 minutes.
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Get the ingredients at Arkan Bazar
You will find rice, spices, dried fruit, nuts, non flatbread and tea for most of these recipes on our counter at Riga Central Market, Nēģu iela 7, open daily from 09:00 to 17:00.