Ftira (Maltese Bread with Tuna and Olives)
Chewy ring loaves filled with tuna, ripe tomato, olives and capers, the classic Maltese picnic sandwich.
- Time2 hr 30
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.13 a head
- Oven230°C (210°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm water and 1 tbsp olive oil and mix to a soft dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 10 minutes, until smooth and stretchy.
10 min - 2
Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and leave somewhere warm for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
60 min - 3
Divide the dough into 4. Shape each piece into a flat ring about 18 cm across by poking a hole in the middle and stretching it out with your fingers. Place on two lined baking trays, cover and rest for 20 minutes.
20 min - 4
Heat the oven to 230°C (210°C fan). Bake the rings for 15 to 18 minutes until golden with a crisp crust. Cool on a rack.
16 min 40 s - 5
Mix the tuna, tomato purée, onion, olives, capers, parsley and 2 tbsp olive oil in a bowl. Season with black pepper.
- 6
Split each ring in half. Layer with sliced tomato, then pile on the tuna mix. Close up and press down. Eat the same day.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.