Easy Homemade Flatbread Recipe - Freshly Baked Bread at Home! (2024)

Bread / Side Dishes / Snacks

Jump to Recipe

This Homemade Flatbread recipe is soft, fluffy, and super flavorful. Brush it with olive oil and sprinkle with fresh parsley on top for a warm, soft, and fresh snack or side dish.

Easy Homemade Flatbread Recipe - Freshly Baked Bread at Home! (1)

Homemade flatbread holds a special place in my heart as a cherished comfort food, especially as a Macedonian who loves her carbs! While many might reach for a crusty French loaf as their carb of choice, for me, it’s all about flatbread.

    Why You’ll Love This Easy Flatbread Recipe

    • Super Simple to Make: Making my own flatbread is not only quick and easy but also simpler than baking most breads. You don’t need to wait for a long rise time, and it’s cooked on a skillet, avoiding the unpredictability of an oven.
    • So Much Flavor: The secret to my flatbread’s above-average taste, tanginess, and fluffy texture is a simple but magical ingredient: plain yogurt!
    • Kid Friendly: Kids always love it when I make homemade bread recipes. But they seem to have a special place in their hearts for flatbread. I can’t blame them really… Homemade flatbread is warm, fragrant, and tastes amazing!

    What is the Difference Between Flatbread and Naan?

    Flatbread and naan are quite similar, with the primary difference being that flatbread is a broader category. Essentially, any unleavened bread made from a simple mix of flour, water, and salt can be classified as flatbread. Various Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines feature their own unique versions, including pita, tortilla, piadina, and of course, naan. So, while Naan is a specific type of flatbread, there are many other delicious varieties of flatbread to explore and enjoy, just like this one.

    Easy Homemade Flatbread Recipe - Freshly Baked Bread at Home! (2)

    What You’ll Need

    • Lukewarm Water: Warming the water (I microwave for 30 seconds) will activate the yeast, allowing it to rise the dough.
    • Active Dry Yeast: If you don’t bake much, you can get small packets of yeast in the baking isle of your grocery store.
    • Sugar
    • Plain Yogurt: Make sure you get plain yogurt without any flavoring (even vanilla). I prefer a full fat yogurt for this flatbread recipe.
    • Olive Oil
    • Seasoning: We’ll be using dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, and salt.
    • All-Purpose Flour
    • Fresh Parsley: This is optional, but it’s a nice addition to garnish with!

    How to Make Homemade Flatbread

    • Prep the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl whisk together the water, yeast, and sugar. Set the mixture aside for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it’s foamy.
    • Combine: Whisk in the yogurt, olive oil, salt, basil, oregano, and garlic powder.Add the flour and parsley. Stir everything together with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.
    • Knead: Sprinkle flour over your work area, turn the dough onto the floured surface, and then knead it for 4 minutes. Add more flour if the dough is sticky while kneading.
    Easy Homemade Flatbread Recipe - Freshly Baked Bread at Home! (3)
    Easy Homemade Flatbread Recipe - Freshly Baked Bread at Home! (4)
    • Separate: Cut the dough into 10 equal pieces and form each piece into a small ball.
    • Rest: Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it stand for 15 minutes.
    • Heat: Preheat a frying pan over medium-low heat.
    • Roll Out: Take one of the dough balls and, using a rolling pin, roll it out to about a 7-inch circle. Lightly brush the top of the rolled-out dough with olive oil.
    • Cook: When the pan is hot, pick up the rolled out dough and place it in the pan, oiled side down, and cook for about 1-½ minutes, or until the top surface is covered with bubbles. While the dough is frying, brush the opposite side of the flatbread with olive oil.
    • Flip: Flip the flatbread and cook it for 1 more minute, or until golden on the bottom.Remove the flatbread from the pan and transfer it to a plate. Keep the flatbread covered with a kitchen towel while working with the rest of the dough.
    • Repeat: Repeat the process with the remaining pieces of dough. Make sure to keep them covered so that they stay soft while cooling down.
    • Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and serve.

    Tips and Tricks

    • Activate the Yeast: Mix your yeast with lukewarm water. Using water that is too cold or too warm will affect the yeast’s activity and you won’t get a puffy flatbread. It’ll be too … flat.
    • Size Matters: Make sure each ball of dough is as close as possible to the same size. I use a kitchen scale to weigh each piece so as to make sure they are all equal in size.
    • No Yeast? In a pinch, you can make this without yeast but it will be less fluffy and soft.
    • Brush the Dough: Make sure to brush each side of the dough with oil to avoid sticking and to create that nice crispy exterior.

    What to Serve With Flatbread

    • Our flatbread recipe opens up a world of delicious possibilities. It’s a wonderful alternative to rolls or sliced bread for any meal, pairing exceptionally well with mulligan stew, chicken Madeira, curries, or meat and rice dishes – try it with a Salmon BLT Salad for a delightful combination.
    • For a quick snack, cut the flatbread into triangles and dip them in your favorite hummus or tzatziki sauce.
    • Flatbread also transforms into the perfect base for creative sandwiches; fold it around your favorite fillings to make a satisfying meal. Enjoy Mediterranean-style tacos by topping the flatbread with seasoned meat, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and feta cheese.
    • For a fun activity, try making mini flatbread pizzas! It’s a hit with kids as they can customize their pizzas with their preferred toppings.
    Easy Homemade Flatbread Recipe - Freshly Baked Bread at Home! (5)

    How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

    • You can store any leftover flatbread in ziploc bags and keep them at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    • You can also freeze flatbreads for up to 3 months.
    • If you’d like to serve them warm, I like to warm them in a skillet for a few seconds on each side.

    More Easy Bread Recipes

    • No Knead Dutch Oven Bread
    • Challah Bread
    • Homemade Cornbread
    • Spinach And Feta No Yeast Bread
    • Zucchini Banana Bread
    • Pumpkin Swirl Bread

    Easy Homemade Flatbread Recipe - Freshly Baked Bread at Home! (7)

    Print Recipe

    4.95 from 36 votes

    Homemade Flatbread Recipe

    Make this incredibly soft and fluffy Homemade Flatbread recipe for a warm, fresh, and delicious snack or the perfect complement to any meal.

    Prep Time30 minutes mins

    Cook Time20 minutes mins

    Total Time1 hour hr

    Course: Bread

    Cuisine: Macedonian, Mediterranean

    Keyword: bread recipes, easy flatbread recipe, flatbread, flatbread recipe, homemade flatbread

    Servings: 10 Flatbreads

    Calories: 320kcal

    Author: Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes

    Ingredients

    • cups lukewarm water, about 105˚F
    • teaspoons active dry yeast
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • ¾ cups plain yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • ½ tablespoon dried basil
    • ½ tablespoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • cups all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
    • ½ cup olive oil, for brushing

    Instructions

    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together water, yeast, and sugar; set aside for 8 to 10 minutes or until foamy. Then, whisk in the yogurt, olive oil, salt, basil, oregano, and garlic powder.

    • Add the flour and parsley, and stir everything together with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.

    • Generously sprinkle flour over your kitchen counter or work area and turn the dough onto the floured surface; turn it to coat with the flour and then knead it for 4 minutes. Sprinkle more flour if the dough is sticky while kneading.

    • Cut the dough into 10 equal pieces and form each piece into a small ball. I use a kitchen scale to weigh each dough ball so to make sure they are all equal. Lightly sprinkle each dough ball with flour; cover them with a kitchen towel and let stand for 15 minutes.

    • Preheat a frying pan over medium-low heat. Take one of the dough balls and, using a rolling pin, roll it out to about a 7-inch circle. Lightly brush the top of the rolled-out dough with olive oil.

    • When the pan is hot, pick up the rolled-out dough and place it in the pan, oiled side down, and cook for about 1 ½ minutes, or until the top surface is covered with bubbles. While frying, brush the opposite side of the flatbread with olive oil.

    • Flip the flatbread and cook for 1 more minute or until golden on the bottom. Remove it from the pan and transfer it to a plate; keep cooked flatbreads covered with a kitchen towel while working with the rest of the dough.

    • Repeat the process with the remaining balls of dough. Make sure to keep the other dough balls covered while working.

    • Serve the flatbreads warm or cold.

    Notes

    • Right Temperature for Water: Make sure the water is lukewarm (around 105˚F) to activate the yeast without killing it. Too hot or too cold, and the yeast won’t work effectively.
    • Kneading the Dough: Knead the dough thoroughly for at least 4 minutes to develop gluten, which gives the flatbread its structure and chewiness. If the dough is sticky, add a little more flour, but be cautious not to add too much.
    • Resting the Dough: Allow the dough balls to rest covered for about 15 minutes before rolling. This resting period helps the gluten relax, making the dough easier to roll out.
    • Adding Herbs: Incorporate herbs like dried basil and oregano – or whatever you like – into the dough for additional flavor.
    • Storage: Once cooled, store the flatbreads in zip-top bags and keep them at room temperature for 2 days; keep refrigerated for up to 5 days or freeze for 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 712mg | Potassium: 128mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 3mg

    flouryeastyogurt

    Easy Homemade Flatbread Recipe - Freshly Baked Bread at Home! (2024)

    FAQs

    How are flatbreads traditionally made? ›

    Traditionally, they are made by sticking the dough to the wall of a tandoor, cooking them quickly to produce soft bread often with big bubbles. “A tandoor is only used in three or four countries and is an open-top, high-temperature oven.

    What are the four types of flat breads? ›

    Flat breads are made throughout most of the world. Examples are pita (from the Middle East), chapati and naan (India), tortilla (Mexico) and focaccia (Italy). The bread may be leavened (have a raising agent of yeast or sourdough) or unleavened.

    What is the difference between pitta bread and flatbread? ›

    In the Middle East ever country has a form of flat bread, and it goes into Persia and India, pita tend to when cook, inflate and form the pocket you find when opening it up, so you can put falafel, shawarma and other foods in it, were naan and other Arabic flatbreads are more like a flat loaf of white bread no pocket ...

    How do you keep homemade flatbread fresh? ›

    If you are not going to eat flatbread within a day or two, freezing is the best option. Tightly wrap it in foil, or a freezer-grade ziplock bag with the air sucked out. It should be good for two to three months.

    Are flatbreads healthier than bread? ›

    Pita is a flatbread whereas bread comes in loaves. Despite their difference in shape, pita and bread have similar ingredients - largely water, yeast, flour, and salt. Because of the similarity in ingredients, the nutrient profiles of pita and normal bread are basically identical.

    What kind of flour is used in flatbread? ›

    The choice between one or the other is only complicated by the different nutritional benefits and recipe adjustments for each (via Healthline), leaving you with a lot of extra thinking to do. Fortunately, when it comes to baking flatbread, there's only one type of flour you need: barley flour.

    What is the difference between naan and flatbread? ›

    Naan is another flatbread traditionally served in Indian restaurants but the difference is that there will already be a filling inside these flatbread pockets. Naan may be stuffed with curd, fresh desiccated coconut, butter, nigella seeds, and raisins.

    What causes bubbles in flatbread? ›

    Air bubbles which form from the expanding carbon dioxide during the first rise must be eliminated or made smaller. Punching down the dough, then turning it out onto a work surface and kneading it briefly will remove large bubbles.

    What is the difference between lavash and pita? ›

    Lavash, meet Pita. Lavash is thinner and larger: As you've probably gathered by now, Lavash is incredibly thin, almost like a sheet of paper. In contrast, pita bread is thicker and often pocket-shaped, creating a perfect vessel for stuffing ingredients inside.

    What is flatbread with a pocket called? ›

    The pita, of course! Traditional pita bread is a round bread with a pocket in the middle. Pita bread must be cooked in ovens that can get extremely hot (at least 700° F). The pocket in a pita is made by steam, which puffs up the dough during the baking process.

    Is flatbread or tortilla healthier? ›

    Which is healthier: bread or tortilla? Is bread more fattening than tortilla? Bread and corn tortillas have a very similar nutrient profile. However, if you are choosing a flour tortilla, to get the most health benefit, be sure to choose one made with whole-wheat flour rather than refined white flour.

    What can I use instead of pitta bread? ›

    Naan can be used in place of pita bread for many dishes, adding a unique twist to traditional recipes. For example, instead of using a pita to make a gyro or falafel sandwich, you can use naan to create a delicious fusion dish.

    Can I leave fresh baked bread on the counter overnight? ›

    Can I Leave Fresh Bread on the Counter Overnight? The only good reason to leave a loaf of fresh bread on the counter overnight is if it just came out of the oven and needs to cool before storing. This is the only time I would say yes to this question.

    Why do you have to rest flatbread dough? ›

    While you can make flatbread without letting the dough rest, 30 minutes or more will make the dough more elastic. To have any chance of a pocket on a bread with no leavening, you need to stretch and fold the dough before forming the final balls that you roll out.

    Can I freeze homemade flatbread? ›

    Can flatbreads be frozen? Freezing flatbreads is easy – stack them and separate each flatbread with sheets of baking parchment so they don't stick together. It's important to cover them completely to avoid freezer burn.

    What is a traditional flatbread? ›

    Traditional Flatbread

    Traditionally, flatbread is basically unleavened bread, which is made without yeast. Flour, water, and salt are the main ingredients. It's rolled out flat and cooked, usually in a brick oven. While it originated in ancient Egypt, many cultures have versions of flatbread.

    How is flatbread different to traditional bread? ›

    And that distinction comes down to the way they're made. For something to be classified as a traditional flatbread, it means it is an unleavened bread that's made without yeast.

    What is the origin of flatbread? ›

    Though flatbread originated in Ancient Egypt, it can be found in several cultures. Afghanistan and India have their version of flatbread known as naan, Central and South America the tortilla, and Romagna, Italy the Piadini. Flatbread is produced and consumed nearly everywhere!

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Rob Wisoky

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5826

    Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

    Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Rob Wisoky

    Birthday: 1994-09-30

    Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452

    Phone: +97313824072371

    Job: Education Orchestrator

    Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building

    Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.