What is matzo? Here's everything you need to know about this humble, unleavened bread, which is most often served on the Jewish holiday of Passover.
What Is Matzo?
Updated on Jan. 22, 2025
As Passover approaches, you’ll see the shelves of your local stores become lined with matzo. This bread is known by many names: matzo, matzah, matza. Whatever you call it, matzo is an essential part of the Passover Seder.
What is the meaning of matzo?
We spoke to Gloria Mezikofsky, a Taste Recipes community member, who shared some background on what it means to celebrate Passover. “Passover celebrates the exodus of the Jewish people from slavery under Pharaoh in the land of Egypt to the land of Israel; a new beginning,” she says.
According to the Torah, when the Egyptian pharaoh finally agreed to free the enslaved Jews, they had to leave—fast. With not much time to prepare for their journey, Moses’ people couldn’t afford to wait for dough to rise, so they baked their bread unleavened.
Gloria adds, “Matzo is symbolic of their hurried exodus and a need to leave many treasured items behind. One staple item was flour.”
Today, Jews commemorate their ancestors’ flight to freedom by eating this same unleavened, cracker-like flatbread. This is why Jews are forbidden to eat chametz (leavened grain foods)—or even keep them in the home—during Passover.
What is matzo made of?
Matzo is an unleavened bread made from flour and water. Speed is the name of the game if you’re whipping up a batch of homemade matzo. You have exactly 18 minutes from the moment you add water to the flour to mix, roll out and bake the flatbread. After 18 minutes, the dough begins to rise, making it unsuitable for eating during Passover.
Is matzo gluten-free?
No, matzo is typically made with wheat flour. Though you can buy gluten-free matzo from familiar brands like Manischewitz, it’s generally not suitable to use for the Passover Seder. Seder matzo should only be made from grains that have the potential to leaven, or rise—wheat, rye, barley, spelt or oats—but most gluten-free matzos are made with tapioca and potato starch.
Different types of matzo
The most popular matzo is plain matzo. But there are almost as many types of matzos as there are types of bread! There are specialty matzos, like those made from whole wheat flour or spelt flour, and of course, gluten-free and organic matzos. There is round matzo, which has a beautiful and rustic look, and the classic square matzo. You can even find matzo with seasonings, such as everything bagel, garlic, egg or onion.
And there’s a place for all of those matzos. For something like cream cheese and jam, you might want to stick to egg or plain matzo. But for other dishes, like matzo brei, any of the more savory flavors will do.
Not all matzo is kosher for Passover, so if you keep kosher, check for the kashrut symbol on the box.
What does matzo taste like?
It tastes like a cracker. Because matzo is an unleavened bread, there’s no rising that occurs. The result is a light cracker that takes on the flavor of whatever you’re putting on it. It also tends to be pretty dry, so it’s the perfect vessel for toppings like charoset, butter, jam, tuna salad or whatever you’re in the mood for.
What is matzo used for?
For starters, there are different types of matzo products you can buy:
- Matzo meal, or ground matzo, is used to make matzo balls for matzo ball soup. You’ll see it in plenty of other recipes, too, like Passover rolls or matzo meal pancakes. Some people include matzo meal in latkes.
- Matzo farfel is crumbled matzo. While matzo meal’s texture is similar to breadcrumbs, farfel is essentially a roughly crumbled cracker. It’s fantastic if you’re looking to make a crunchy topping, like for a kugel.
- Matzo cake meal is even more finely ground than matzo meal. It’s used in baking.
Though matzo is a must for Passover Seder recipes, you can eat it all year round. There’s a reason my grandma always kept a box tucked away in a cupboard: It’s a handy ingredient to add to a variety of dishes. You can use store-bought matzo to make pizzas, top it with cream cheese in lieu of your morning bagel and even use it to make sweets like matzo toffee.
Matzo meal works well as a substitute for bread crumbs in falafel, fried chicken or fish cakes. You can even get creative and use matzo crackers to make nachos!
Matzo Recipes for Passover
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Matzo Ball SoupThis traditional matzo ball soup recipe is worth the extra effort. If you prefer, you can add egg noodles instead of matzo balls to this Jewish chicken soup. —Julia Sherman, New Market, Tennessee
This wouldn't be a proper list of the best matzo recipes if we didn't include some kind of matzo ball soup! Whether you start with a store-box mix or make homemade matzo balls with schmaltz, this soup is the ultimate cozy comfort food.
Matzo BreiMatzo brei (pronounced like fry) is one of the few dishes from my childhood I'll never outgrow. The dampened shards of matzo mixed with eggs and milk and then cooked in butter will never go out of style. I like to serve this matzo brei recipe in one big piece, but you can also scramble the mixture. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
One of the most beloved Passover recipes, matzo brei (pronounced like "fry") is made with dampened matzo, beaten eggs and milk. You can serve it in one big piece or break it up for a scrambled effect.
Gefilte FishGefilte fish is usually served at Passover seder before the main meal. It goes great with spicy horseradish. Don't forget to moisten your hands with water while shaping to keep the fish mixture from sticking to your hands. —Risa Lichtman, Portland, Oregon
Gefilte fish is one of the more time-intensive recipes on this list, but it's worth every second. The homemade version tastes much better than jarred gefilte fish you'll find at the store, so you may never go back!
Matzo PizzaMatzo crackers make a super easy pizza crust when you are short on time. Serve this for lunch or a light dinner with a salad on busy weeknights. Instead of tomato sauce, you could also use pizza sauce, marinara sauce or crushed tomatoes. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Who needs traditional pizza dough when you have matzo? Slather on a few spoonfuls of tomato sauce, add a handful of shredded cheese and top it with your favorite veggies. It's finished baking when the cheese looks melty and delicious.
Matzo ToffeeOnce you start eating matzo toffee, you may not be able to stop! Matzo crackers are topped with buttery caramel, chocolate and slivered almonds and then baked to perfection. —Sharalyn Zander, Jacksonville, Alabama
Matzo toffee is one of the most popular Passover dessert recipes. Our recipe is topped with slivered almonds, but other toppings like sea salt, dried fruit, pecans or pistachios work just as well.
Passover Rainbow CookiesThe name "rainbow cookies" is actually a bit of a misnomer for these classic New York treats. To make the pretty layered cookies, you’ll bake three thin cakes, spread jam between them and coat with smooth melted chocolate. —Shannon Sarna, South Orange, New Jersey
Ground matzo and almond flour are used instead of regular flour for this Passover-approved version of Italian rainbow cookies. The cookies originated in Italian-American communities in New York City (hence the red, white and green colors representing the Italian flag). Jewish bakeries began making a kosher version, and it's been popular at Jewish celebrations ever since.
Potato KugelThe secret to keeping your potatoes their whitest in your potato kugel is to switch back and forth when grating the potatoes and onion in your food processor or box grater. —Ellen Ruzinsky, Yorktown Heights, New York
Kugel is a popular Jewish food for many holidays, but it's often made with noodles (an off-limits food for Passover). This recipe uses potatoes and matzo meal instead, making it perfect for your Passover Seder meal.
Passover PopoversPopovers have an important role at the Passover table as a substitute for bread. When puffed and golden brown, they’re ready to share. —Gloria Mezikofsky, Wakefield, Massachusetts
Leavened foods are off-limits for Passover, but popovers are an iconic Passover side dish. So how do they get their tall, fluffy structure without leaveners? The interaction between the thin batter and the hot oven creates steam, which causes the popovers to rise. And with just five ingredients, they're completely easy to make, too.
Matzo Meal PancakesThese matzo meal pancakes are a wonderful dish for breakfast or brunch. They can be served with applesauce, jam or sour cream. When beating the egg whites, start on a low speed and gradually increase to reach a good consistency. —Gloria Mezikofsky, Wakefield, Massachusetts
The perfect Passover brunch involves these matzo meal pancakes. Double-check that your matzo meal is kosher for Passover, as not all brands certify their matzo.
Chocolate-Covered MatzoMy entire family asks me to make this chocolate-covered matzo every Passover and Hanukkah! I've even been asked to ship it across the country. You can use white chocolate, dark chocolate or a combination, or add nuts before the chocolate sets. —Dana Darrow, Nashua, New Hampshire
We love a chocolaty snack any day of the week. And when Passover rolls around, that snack is definitely going to be chocolate-covered matzo. For a little something extra, sprinkle the crackers with chopped nuts or add a drizzle of white chocolate.
Apple Cake for PassoverAdding a dollop of whipped cream is a sweet addition to this Passover apple cake! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I always like to bake a snacking cake for the week so I can steal a sneaky slice whenever the craving calls. With a matzo cake meal base, this apple cake is perfect for the week of Passover. The apples and cinnamon create delicious pockets of joy, and a dollop of whipped cream on top adds a burst of sweetness.
Zucchini LatkesMy husband, Avi, and I carry prepare these delicious latkes with our children, Sara, 10, and Yaakov, 5. This year, Sara is old enough to help make the latkes (the oil can get very hot, so be careful). I serve my latkes with sour cream, cottage cheese and applesauce, plus a salad on the side. —Chava Zaitschek, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Latkes are traditionally a Hanukkah recipe, but that doesn't mean you can't make these crispy patties all year round! This recipe utilizes matzo meal to hold the shredded zucchini and grated onions together.
Passover MeatballsThese moist and slightly sweet Passover meatballs are popular with family and friends during the spring holiday season. They're bound to become a tradition at your house.—Julie Sollinger, Chicago, Illinois
These meatballs are bound together by eggs and ground matzo meal and covered in a sweet tomato glaze. They cook on the stovetop for almost an hour (which makes the kitchen smell incredible). One reviewer had success baking them in the oven, which is a good option if stovetop space is at a premium.
Onion KugelSliced eggplant, diced green pepper or shredded cabbage can be used in place of onions for this onion kugel recipe. Easy and traditional, this dish resembles a delicious souffle. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Our Passover-approved onion kugel recipe calls for finely chopped onions and matzo meal instead of the usual egg noodles or sliced potatoes. If you prefer a savory kugel over a sweet one, this recipe is for you.
Passover RollsWe use these traditional eggy Passover rolls to make sandwiches throughout the week. But they can also be served as rolls with dinner. —Myrna Lief, Burlington, Massachusetts
This Passover recipe can be used to create dinner rolls for your Seder celebration or bagel bites for breakfast (they're especially tasty when slathered with kosher-friendly cream cheese). Either way, it's a great way to use up a whole cup of matzo meal!
Minas (Matzo Pies)
Matzo pies (aka minas) are a traditional Passover dish for many Sephardic Jews in Turkey, Greece, Spain and parts of Africa. This vegan spinach and potato matzo recipe from Nava Atlas of The Vegan Atlas is based on a traditional minas recipe. However, a creamy blend of cashews and avocados is used instead of cheese. 
Passover Baklava Bimuelos
Bimuelos are doughy fried balls that are often considered a Hanukkah food, but you can make them with matzo for Passover. Cookbook author Samantha Ferraro makes her mother's baklava bimuelos for Passover. Made with crushed matzo, eggs and spices, they're fried and covered in rose water syrup and a layer of ground pistachios. 
Chocolate Matzo Cake
This layered chocolate matzo cake comes from Israeli baker and food writer Natalie Levin of Lil' Cookie. With pieces of softened matzo sandwiched between thick layers of homemade chocolate ganache, how can you go wrong? She tops the cake with shaved white chocolate, but you could also use nuts, coconut or other toppings. 
Matzo Mac and Cheese
Pasta is off the menu during Passover, but you can still get your favorite comfort food fix. This matzo version of mac and cheese comes from 
Matza-quiles
Inspired by Mexican chilaquiles, this matza-quiles recipe comes from food writer Emily Paster of West of the Loop. Smilar to matzo brei, softened matzo is cooked with onions and eggs to make a tasty scramble. Then, it's finished with salsa, avocado, queso fresco and cilantro for a vibrant (and delicious) meal. 
Matzo Lasagna
Similar to matzo minas, this vegetarian matzo lasagna recipe from registered dietitian Abbey Sharp is made with layers of matzo, sauce and cheese. Paired with a red kosher wine and a fresh green salad, it makes for a satisfying Passover dinner. 
Matzo Granola
Oats aren't kosher for Passover, so this matzo granola recipe from blogger Sheri Silver is a great breakfast alternative. It calls for almonds, pecans, coconut, figs and dates, but you could use any of your favorite nuts and dried fruit. Try walnuts and dried apples for charoset-inspired granola.
Matzo Recipes FAQ
What is matzo made of?
Matzo is an unleavened bread made from flour and water. Kosher for Passover matzo is made in a specific way so the dough doesn't have a chance to rise or ferment. Some brands use whole wheat flour, spelt flour or even gluten-free ingredients like tapioca starch or potato flour, although these versions may not be suitable for Passover. Seasonings like herbs or even everything bagel seasoning can be added to matzo.
How do you make your own matzo?
The trick to making matzo is that you need to work fast. Matzo should be prepped and baked in under 18 minutes to prevent the dough from rising. After mixing flour and water into soft (but not sticky) dough, divide it into several portions and roll it into a very thin sheet. Bake it in a 500°F oven until the matzo begins to puff and brown, two to three minutes per side.
What's the difference between matzo and matzah?
Matzo and matzah are different spellings of the same cracker-like bread. The pronunciation is the same for either spelling, as the "h" is silent. 
