A Flatbread Recipe for Every Occasion

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a dish as versatile as flatbread.

Topped with fresh ingredients, it can be a gourmet pizza for a fancy dinner party. Airy, fluffy, and soft enough to mop up the last drops of your favorite soup, it’s the perfect side dish for a comforting meal at home. Or crispy and cut into wedges, it becomes an irresistible snack to accompany your evening glass of wine.

Whichever way you like your flatbread—stuffed, rolled, or loaded—there’s a recipe to match your preference. We’ve compiled six trusty recipes that cater to every palate.

These are not just any recipes, they’re your passport to a world of culinary adventure. That said, roll up your sleeves and preheat your oven. Here’s a flatbread recipe for every occasion.

What Is Flatbread Made Of?

Flatbread is literally any bread that’s, well, flat.

Traditionally, it’s made with just flour, water, and salt. It has no leavening agent like yeast or baking powder, so it stays, er…flat.

However, modern recipes use a variety of flour for added flavor and texture—whole wheat, chickpea, cornmeal—and the addition of herbs and spices is common too.

Recently, “flatbread” also has come to mean some varieties that have yeast, baking powder or other leavening agents added to the flour. These “modern” flatbreads are slightly thicker and fluffier than traditional ones.

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Types of Flatbread

There are many varieties of flatbread worldwide, including naan from India and the Middle East, pita bread from Greece and the Mediterranean region, tortillas from Mexico and Central America, and lavash from Armenia and Iran. 

Here’s a brief rundown of popular types that you may have heard of:

• Naan – A traditional Indian and Middle Eastern flatbread made with wheat flour and baked in a clay oven. It’s usually served as an accompaniment to curries or stuffed with various fillings.

• Pita Bread – Originating from Greece and the Mediterranean region, pita bread is also made with wheat flour but has a pocket in the middle that can be filled with meat, vegetables, or dips.

• Tortillas – A staple in Mexican and Central American cuisines, tortillas are made with corn or wheat flour and can be filled with various ingredients to make tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and more.

• Lavash – This thin unleavened flatbread from Armenia and Iran is usually rolled up with various fillings inside or used as a wrap for grilled meats or vegetables.

• Roti – Commonly found in Indian cuisine, roti is a type of unleavened flatbread made with whole wheat flour and cooked on a griddle. It’s similar to naan but thinner and crispier.

• Focaccia – Hailing from Italy, focaccia is a flatbread known for its dimpled surface and flavored with herbs, cheese, or other toppings.

• Sourdough Flatbread – Made with fermented sourdough starter, this type of flatbread has a tangy flavor and is usually cooked in a wood-fired oven for a crispy crust.

• Matzo – A traditional Jewish unleavened flatbread made with flour and water, it’s commonly eaten during Passover.
• Injera – A staple in Ethiopian cuisine, injera is a spongy flatbread made from teff flour and often used as an edible utensil to scoop up stews and other dishes.

Quick Flatbread Recipe (2)

At its simplest, flatbread is just flour, water, and salt. This Greek flatbread recipe takes things up a notch higher by substituting the water with Greek yogurt.

Yogurt is a good substitute for three reasons; it adds a tangy flavor, makes the dough more pliable and gives the bread a soft texture.

You can press in scallions, chopped herbs or spices into the dough for a savory flatbread recipe yogurt.

Ingredients

• 220 grams Greek yogurt
• 140 grams self-rising flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
2. Add in the Greek yogurt and mix until a dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes.
4. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts and roll them out into circles about 6 inches in diameter.
5. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
6. Place one of the rolled out flatbreads onto the hot surface and cook for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown spots appear.

Servings: 4 flatbreads

Nutrition: 1 flatbread | Calories: 159 kcal | Carbohydrates: 27 g | Protein: 10 g | Fat: 1 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g

Read more: The Best Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes for an All-Inclusive Festive Table

Flatbread Recipe With Yeast (3)

Yeast lends a slightly fermented taste and gives a fluffier texture to this flatbread recipe. A touch of honey adds a subtle sweetness that balances out the tang of the yogurt. You’re free to use any other sweetener, as this is a basic naan flatbread recipe that can be adapted to suit your taste.

Our No-Sugar Bread Recipes article has some tips you can use for a sugar-free pastry.

Ingredients

• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 (0.25 ounce) package active dry yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup plain yogurt
• 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 large egg
• (OPTIONAL) GARLIC BUTTER INGREDIENTS:
• ¼ cup salted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• Finely- chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the honey in the warm water. Sprinkle in the yeast and let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add in the flour, yogurt, fine sea salt, baking powder, and egg. Stir until a dough begins to form.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 2 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
5. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts. Roll each piece into a thin circle.
6. Heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook each flatbread for about 1 minute on each side, until it puffs up and turns golden brown.
7. Optional: For the garlic butter, melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat, add the minced garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes until golden. Brush the garlic butter over the warm naan and sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley and flaky sea salt. Serve warm.

Servings: 8 flatbread

Flatbread Recipe No Yogurt (5)

Pita bread is a dairy-free flatbread that doesn’t use yogurt, but the end result is just as delicious and versatile. It’s perfect for sandwiches, dips, or simply drizzled with olive oil and herbs.

Ingredients

• 1 (¼ ounce) package of yeast, or quick-rising yeast
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, for garnishing

Instructions

1. Dissolve the yeast in a ½ cup of warm water in a large mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar and let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Add the all-purpose flour and salt into the bowl. Stir the ingredients until they start to combine.
3. Gradually pour in the remaining 1 cup of water while stirring continuously. Add the vegetable oil and continue to stir until a dough begins to form.
4. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it for about 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, covering it with a clean cloth. Let it rise in a warm area for approximately 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
6. Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) and place a baking stone or inverted baking sheet inside.
7. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and let them rest for 10 minutes.
8. Roll out each ball into a circle about ¼ inch thick. Bake each pita on the preheated stone or baking sheet for 3-4 minutes or until it puffs up.
9. Remove the pita bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing or filling.
10. For an optional garnish, sprinkle the freshly baked pita bread with minced fresh parsley.

Servings: 10 to 12

Nutrition (per serving): Calories:127 | Carbs: 24g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g

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Low Carb Flatbread (4)

Going low carb doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your naan or pita bread, or any other bread; we have many examples in our Keto Bread blog.

What makes this particular flatbread recipe keto-friendly is the use of almond flour which gives it a nutty flavor and gluten-free quality. It also uses a combination of cream cheese and mozzarella for a chewy texture.

We discuss similar recipes in our blog post about Gluten Free Bread Recipes

Ingredients

• 3 cups Mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp Full-fat Greek yogurt
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 ½ cups Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour
• 1 tbsp Baking powder
• 2 tbsp Unsalted butter
• ½ tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the mozzarella cheese and cream cheese together until they become soft. This will take around 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the eggs, almond flour, baking powder, butter, garlic powder, and parsley into the melted cheese mixture until they are well combined. The dough should be easy to handle.
4. Divide the dough into 8 equal parts and roll them into balls. Flatten each ball onto the prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown on top.
6. Remove from oven and let it cool before serving.

Additional Tips:

• For an even softer texture, add a tablespoon of oil or melted butter to the dough mixture.
• You can also add your favorite herbs or spices to the dough for extra flavor.
• If you want a crispier texture, bake on a wire rack instead of directly on a baking sheet.
• To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the mozzarella and cream cheese with vegan alternatives such as almond milk cheese and tofu cream cheese.

Servings: 6

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 370 | Fat:28g | Protein:22g | Total Carbs:9g | Net Carbs:6g | Fiber:3g | Sugar:1g

Turkish Flatbread Recipe (1)

Gozleme is a traditional Turkish flatbread that’s often filled with spinach and feta cheese. It can also be filled with minced meat, potato, or other savory ingredients. This recipe is for the basic dough with potato and cheese, but feel free to experiment with different fillings.

Ingredients:

• 1lb./ 16 oz. /3 cups plain flour
• 8g / 1 sachet instant dried yeast
• Pinch of salt
• 45 ml/ 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 30 ml/ 2 tbsp. plain natural yoghurt (preferably whole milk)
• About 260 ml/ 9 fl. oz. / 1⅕ cups water

For the filling:

• 3 medium sized potato, cooked, skinned and mashed – about 2 ¼ cups –
• 5ml/1 teaspoon Turkish red pepper flakes or 2 tsp. Turkish red pepper paste (optional)
• 200gr/ 7 oz. Turkish white cheese or feta cheese, juice drained and crumbled.
• 28 gr/ 1 oz. / ½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
• 30 ml/2 tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• Nonstick pan or griddle to cook the Gozleme

Instructions

1. Start by combining the flour, instant dried yeast, and a pinch of salt in a large mixing bowl.
2. Incorporate the olive oil and yogurt into the dry mixture.
3. Gradually add water while kneading until a soft dough forms.
4. Cover the dough and let it rest for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
5. In the meantime, prepare the filling by mashing the cooked potatoes and mixing in the red pepper flakes or paste if desired.
6. Add the crumbled feta cheese and chopped parsley, then season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
7. Once the dough has risen, divide it into equal portions.
8. Roll out each portion on a floured surface into a thin circle.
9. Spread the potato and cheese mixture onto one half of each circle, then fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape.
10. Heat a nonstick pan or griddle over medium heat.
11. Cook each Gozleme for a couple of minutes on each side, until golden brown.
12. Brush the cooked Gozleme with olive oil and serve hot.

Read more: 4 Keto Quiche Recipes for a Savory Breakfast

FAQs

• Is Flatbread the Same as Pizza Dough?

Flatbread and pizza dough are similar, but they’re not quite the same. Flatbread is often thinner and can be made without yeast, resulting in a more cracker-like consistency. Pizza dough, on the other hand, typically includes yeast and is left to rise, creating a fluffier, thicker base.

• Is Pita Bread a Flatbread?

Yes, pita bread is a type of flatbread. Originating from the Middle East, it’s traditionally baked at high temperatures, causing the dough to puff up and create an interior pocket when it cools, which is perfect for filling!

• Is Naan the Same as Flatbread?

Naan is actually a type of flatbread that originated in India. Unlike some types of flatbread, however, naan is made with yeast, which gives it a soft and fluffy texture.

• Are Flatbreads Healthy?

Flatbreads can certainly be a part of a healthy diet. They’re often made with simple, whole ingredients like flour, water, and a little bit of oil. Of course, the healthiness of your flatbread also depends on what you top it with or fill it with.

• What is Turkish Flat Bread Made Of?

Turkish flatbread, or Gozleme, is made from a simple dough of flour, yeast, salt, olive oil, yogurt, and water. It’s often filled with a mixture of cooked potatoes, feta cheese, and parsley, but the fillings can vary.

• What is Greek Flatbread Made Of?

Greek flatbread is typically made from flour, water, yeast, and a pinch of salt. It’s sometimes flavored with ingredients like olive oil and Greek yogurt, which add moisture and tang to the dough.

• What is Traditional Flatbread?

Traditional flatbread is a bread that’s rolled out flat and cooked, often with no or very little yeast. It’s one of the most ancient forms of bread and is common in many different cuisines around the world. 

However, traditional flatbread can differ in ingredients and cooking methods depending on the region or culture.

The Bottom Line

Having a handy flatbread recipe in your repertoire is always a good idea. They’re versatile, easy to make, and delicious! Whether you’re making Italian-style pizza, Turkish Gozleme, or any other type of flatbread, the possibilities are endless.