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

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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.

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    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.
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    • 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.
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    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

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    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

    Why are my flatbreads hard? ›

    Your flatbread may have dried out during the proofing process or even during cooking. Keeping the dough soft and moist at all stages is key. That is why the dough should always be covered while it rises and proofs. For the first rise, you can even use a pot lid or plate over the top of your bowl.

    How long does homemade flatbread last? ›

    We recommend a 400°F oven. Bake them until puffed and starting to brown about 10 minutes. Storing: Wrap the cooked flatbreads in foil and then store at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. You can also wrap them well and freeze for a month or two, and then reheat in a warm oven or in a skillet.

    Why is my flatbread not cooking in the middle? ›

    First, your oven temperature may be too high. Even if you set it at the temp suggested in the recipe, every oven is a little bit different. Try turning it down 25 degrees (F), bake your bread several minutes longer and see if that helps.

    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 secret to softer bread? ›

    The Magic Behind Soft Bread
    1. Oil or Butter: These fats coat the flour proteins, leading to a tender crumb. ...
    2. Sugar: Not only does it sweeten the bread, but sugar also retains moisture. ...
    3. Baking Soda: When added, especially in recipes with acidic ingredients, it can make bread soft and spongy.
    Sep 26, 2023

    Why is my flatbread not fluffy? ›

    If your flatbreads are too dense, it's probably because you did not knead the dough enough. Make sure your dough looks completely smooth after kneading. You should also make sure that your baking powder is still viable or your flatbread will not rise as they bake and will turn out dense and hard.

    Why do you have to rest flatbread dough? ›

    Resting the dough is an essential step.

    During the rest the flour in the dough hydrates and the gluten network (which is the protein network that makes wheat breads bready) relaxes. The gluten relaxing is what lets you roll out the dough without having it fight you and snap back into a smaller size.

    Why does flatbread puff up? ›

    As yeast cells feed on sugars, they produce carbon dioxide gas and ethyl alcohol in a chemical process known as fermentation. The carbon dioxide gas released by the process of fermentation gets trapped in the sticky, elastic dough, causing it to “puff up" or rise.

    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.

    How to know when flatbread is done? ›

    Cook each flatbread for about 2 minutes on one side – it should puff up a little. Flip the flatbread over using tongs and then cook for a couple of minutes on the other side. The flatbread should have turned lighter in colour and may have a few spots of brown.

    Is milk or water better for flatbread? ›

    You will need a bit more milk than the amount of water required (because of the milk solids). The dough will be softer, the crumb less open. You will have to bake it at lower temperatures than a lean bread. In other words, your bread will be more like a sandwich bread.

    Can you over knead flatbread? ›

    If you're an avid bread maker, or a novice trying it for the first time, you may have a few questions about the process. One of the most common questions Bob's Red Mill Experts get asked is, "can you over-knead bread?" In short, the answer is yes.

    Are naan and flatbread the same thing? ›

    Naan is a leavened flatbread with a soft and chewy texture.

    How are flatbreads traditionally made? ›

    A flatbread is bread made usually with flour; water, milk, yogurt, or other liquid; and salt, and then thoroughly rolled into flattened dough. Many flatbreads are unleavened, although some are leavened, such as pita bread.

    How do you soften hard flatbread? ›

    In the oven: Preheat oven to 200° or Warm setting. Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven for 5-10 minutes. In the microwave: Wrap the bread in a damp (not soaking) towel, place it on a microwave-safe dish, and microwave on high for 10 seconds.

    Why is my flatbread so dense? ›

    The usual reason why bread becomes too dense is due to using flour with low protein content. When your loaf is spongy and heavy, you might have also put too much flour into it or made the dough in a cooler or too warm setting. Bread baking may seem simple.

    Why does my homemade bread feel hard? ›

    The flour could have too low a protein content, there could be too much salt in the bread recipe, you did not knead it or leave it to proof long enough, or you could have killed the yeast by leaving the dough to rise in a place that was too hot.

    How do you increase the softness of bread? ›

    One of the easiest ways our bakers follow to make bread soft and fluffy is by using 1-2 tablespoons of lubricant/fats such as vegetable oil to wet the ingredients. This will prevent the formation of excess gluten, as excess gluten makes bread chewy.

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