This Flatbread recipe doesn’t use any yeast, it’s super easy to make and always turns out perfect! Making flatbread at home is a lot easier than you think!
This Flatbread recipe makes the absolute best soft flatbread with perfectly golden crisp edges. If you have never tried making fresh homemade flatbread, you are going to be surprised at how simple and effortless it is to make this no yeast bread at home.
The flatbread dough resting time is only 10 minutes and you don’t even need to turn on your oven! These soft and delicious flatbreads are cooked in a skillet on your stove (or grill). How is that for easy bread making?
Flatbread is such a delicious and versatile bread. Just like a piece of Indian naan, it can be dunked into stews and soups or used to scooped up your favorite dip. This easy recipe for flatbread produces perfectly pliable flat bread that can be made into your favorite sandwich wrap. Have some fun! Roll up your favorite sandwich fillings or recreate your favorite subway wrap at home.
Flatbreads
There are many types of flatbreads all around the world and many countries have their own recipe version. Add to that the different versions created by serious home cooks and professional chefs and you end up with thousands of flatbread recipes!
FLATBREADS AROUND THE WORLD
- Parathas, a South East Asian flat bread made with ghee, is super flaky and has a buttery taste.
- Msemen, this Moroccan flatbread made with yeast, usually encases fresh herbs into its folded flaky dough.
- Lavash bread, this Armenian favorite is rolled into thin sheets and baked in the oven!
- Pita bread, a round pocket bread that can hold all kinds of delicious toppings and my go-to-flatbread to serve with hummus! Very popular in Greek cuisine. Did you know this popular bread has been around for 4,000 years?
- If you want to know which is the most famous flatbread in the world? After much research, I think I have nailed it down to 2 flatbread types, unleavened Indian Roti and Mexican Tortillas!
Easy Flatbread Recipe Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour
- Ice Water
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Olive Oil
- Optional Topping: Melted butter or olive oil, garlic powder, chopped parsley and a pinch of salt.
How To Make This Flatbread Recipe?
- Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl.
- Add the oil and ice water.
- Mix by hand with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. The dough should be soft and moist but not sticky.
- Cover the bowl and allow the flatbread dough to rest 10 minutes! If you are planning on brushing the bread with flavored butter, this is a great time to mix the ingredients.
- Sprinkle flour on a work surface or kitchen counter and turn the dough over the floured surface. With your hands or a rolling pin, flatten the dough.
- Divide the dough into equal pieces. I usually try to cut the dough into 10 or 12 pieces, however you can make flatbread in any size you want. Bigger or smaller!
- I quickly roll each piece into a ball. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I do this so I have better control when shaping the bread.
- Using a rolling pin or with the palm of your hands, flatten each dough ball to about 1/4-inch thick.
- Time to cook the best flatbread ever! Heat up a skillet and add a bit of oil. You can use a cast iron skillet or a heavy bottom skillet.
- Cook the flatbread in batches, cooking each side until golden brown. It takes about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Place the cooked flatbread on a cooling rack. You can serve the warm and crispy flatbread or if you prefer, you can brush them with olive oil or melted butter (I have a recipe for quick flavored butter on the recipe card below).
What Do You Eat Flatbread With?
You can eat this easy skillet flatbread with an array of foods. Serve it with soups and stews just as you would regular bread. Think of flatbread as you would pizza and pile it up with your favorite pizza toppings. Soft flatbread is perfect for making wraps stuffed with your favorite ingredients like meats, cold cuts, cheeses and vegetables. I serve crispy flatbread with salads, and love dipping it in hummus.
Can Flatbread Be Made Ahead?
Yes! You can make flatbread dough 3 days in advance and keep it wrapped in the refrigerator until ready to cook. If you shape the dough, separate each piece with parchment paper or plastic wrap or they will stick together. Cooked bread can be stored in the freezer for up to a month.
Can I Make Gluten Free Flatbread?
Yes, use gluten free flour if you prefer. The dough should be moist but not sticky. Add additional flour or water if needed (depends on the brand of gluten free flour you use).
Are Pizza Crust And Flatbread The Same Thing?
I read once that pizza crust is always a flatbread but flatbread is not always a pizza crust. This question has been asked in many culinary circles and everyone has their own opinion. The answer is still debatable!
How Do I Keep Flatbread Soft?
After cooking, wrap the fresh and hot flatbread in a clean kitchen towel. The trapped steam keeps the bread soft longer.
Why Is My Flatbread Tough?
Cooking flatbread at low heat could make the bread tough when cooled. High heat will burn the flatbread so it is best to use medium heat.
After the flatbread is cooked and off the skillet, cover it or wrap it with a clean kitchen towel. The steam will go back into the bread and keep it soft longer.
Tips to Making the Best Easy Flatbread Recipe the First Time
- Cook this easy flatbread in a skillet over medium heat. High heat browns the surface too quickly.
- A thinner flatbread results in crispier bread.
- The dough should be soft, moist and not sticky. If your dough is too dry – simply add more water. Start with small amounts – 1/4 of a teaspoon of ice water to start. Sometimes you just need a tiny bit extra. If your dough is too sticky, add additional flour – small amounts, even 1 teaspoon can sometimes make a difference.
- For extra flavor, brush the hot flatbread with garlic butter.
- Make Herb Flatbread by adding 1 teaspoon of finely chopped fresh rosemary and thyme into the dough.
- This easy flatbread recipe is vegetarian and if you don’t brush the cooked bread with butter, it is also dairy free and a vegan recipe!
Whether You Want To Dunk Or Wrap, You Can Serve Flatbread with:
- Greek Tzatziki (Vegetarian)
- Baba Ganoush (Vegan)
- Crab Dip (Warm)
Easy Flatbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups all unbleached purpose flour, plus additional flour for dusting
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 cup ice water
- Oil for cooking, about 2 – 3 tablespoons
Optional Topping:
- ¼ to ⅓ olive oil or melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
- Chopped parsley, about 2 teaspoons
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, place the flour, baking powder and salt and stir to combine.
- Add the ice water and oil and stir with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until the dough comes together. The dough should be soft, moist but not sticky. Add additional water or flour, if needed.
- Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour over your work area or kitchen counter and turn the dough onto the floured surface. Flatten the dough with your hands or with the help of a rolling pin, then divide the dough into 10 to 12 equal pieces (each piece should be about the size of a large egg – about 1.5 to 2 ounces each).
- I quickly roll each piece of dough into a ball (this step is not necessary but I feel it gives me better control when shaping the flatbread).Take one of the dough balls and using a rolling pin flatten to ¼ inch thick (you can flatten the dough by pressing it with the palm of your hands).
- Heat a cast iron skillet (or a heavy-bottom skillet) on a stove top over medium heat. Add about one tablespoon of oil.
- In batches, cook the flatbread in the hot oil for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for about 2 minutes or until golden brown
- Remove from the skillet and place on a cooling rack. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Optional Topping
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil or melted butter with garlic powder and salt. After removing the flatbread from the skillet, brush with the oil or butter mixture. Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve.
Notes
- Cook flatbread in a skillet over medium heat. High heat browns the surface too quickly.
- A thinner flatbread results in crispier bread.
- The dough should be soft, moist and not sticky. If your dough is too dry – simply add more water. Start with small amounts – 1/4 of a teaspoon of ice water to start. Sometimes you just need a tiny bit extra. If your dough is too sticky, add additional flour – small amounts, even 1 teaspoon can sometimes make a difference.
- Make the flatbread larger by dividing the dough into 6 or 8 pieces.
- For extra flavor, brush the hot flatbread with garlic butter.
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