The second in our recipe series about banned buns (you can read the first recipe here) this one comes from Libya and the bun is called Khubz bil ashab and it is really simple to make because it is a “no knead” bun.
Virtuous Bread was set up as more than a bread site. It was set up to effect positive social change through bread. Teaching people how to bake, coaching people how to set up micro bakeries, volunteering, and using bread to bridge gaps and heal wounds are all part of the set of activities we do to use bread as a catalyst for positive social change. Have a go! Bake these simple buns and give them to someone in need.
I promise you will experience virtue in the most wonderful way.

Khubz bil ashab
Ingredients
- 600 g Whole wheat or spelt flour you can use white wheat or a mixture if you like
- Pinch Yeast Any kind
- 12 g Salt
- 50 g Olive oil
- 500 g Water
Optional extras include a little handful of some of these
- Chopped olives, chopped spring onions, crumbled feta cheese, crumbled goat cheese, chopped fresh herbs
You can also consider a spoonful of any of these
- Ground coriander, ground cumin, za'ataar, paprika, smoked paprika
- If you wanted it to be sweet rather than savoury, you may want to add a handful of chopped dates and a spoonful of pomegranate molasses or date syrup
Instructions
- The night before you want the buns, mix all the ingredients together in a big bowl and cover with cling film. Pop the bowl in the fridge and let it sit there overnight.
- In the morning, remove the dough from the fridge and gently scrape it out of the bowl onto a floury surface. Divide it into 16 pieces. Flour your hands and shape each piece into bun. Use a scraper to place each bun on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Divide it into 16 pieces. Flour your hands and shape each piece into bun. Use a scraper to place each bun on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Flour your hands and shape each piece into bun. Use a scraper to place each bun on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Heat the oven to 220 degrees C and pop the buns in when it's up to temperature.
- Bake for 20 minutes and the place them on a wire rack to cool.
- Enjoy them in the company of strangers in need.
for the 6gm fresh yeast, what would be the equivalent amount of sourdough starter @100% hydration?
Rye or wheat?