How to Make Flatbread

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Looking for an easy flatbread recipe that doesn’t require any special ingredients or time-consuming techniques? This skillet flatbread dough is just that! Made with instant yeast, this dough is simple to put together and only requires 5 staple pantry ingredients in total. In less than an hour, you’ll have soft, fresh, warm sheets of homemade flatbread to enjoy! So let’s get started!

This flatbread is an easy riff on a type of quickly leavened bread – like naan or pita bread. It makes lovely breakfast wraps, is perfect for dips like hummus, and, of course, is ideal for loading up with toppings for flatbread pizzas. 

WHY learn to make your own flatbread

• Fresh homemade taste: Fresh, hot from the skillet flatbread is the tastiest flatbread. It’s miles away from something that has been sitting on store shelf for two days and has no preservatives or unnecessary added ingredients.
• An easy gateway to the art of breadmaking: Intimidated by yeast and all things sourdough? Flatbreads have rapid rising, proofing and cooking times, making them a great first bread to try making.
• Zush up the everyday. Warm, fresh flatbread will take everyday sandwiches and charcuterie platters to the next level.

ingredients to make flatbread

• All-purpose flour: Bread flour can be substituted. Be mindful that you’ll need to add about 2 tablespoons more water, though. Bread flour has higher gluten content, thus requiring more liquid.
• Sugar: An equal amount of honey or agave sweetener could be used. Not solely a sweetener – the sugar helps activate the yeast and creates a brown crust. Make sure to mix in well.
• Olive oil: Olive oil is traditional but vegetable oil can be used in a pinch or even melted butter. Its purpose in the recipe is to tenderize the dough.
• Salt: An important ingredient in the chemistry of bread making, the right amount of salt helps strengthen the dough and creates the right amount of rise. Keep in mind that too much salt can have an adverse effect.
• Warm water: The heat in the water also helps the yeast develop.

HOW TO MAKE homemade flatbread

There are two parts to making homemade flatbread. You’ll start by making the dough in a stand mixer. If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can also knead by hand.

make the dough

1. Measure out all ingredients and place in a bowl of a stand mixer or any bowl if kneading by hand.
2. Knead until it comes together in a smooth ball, then allow it rest back in the bowl with some oil covered with a kitchen towel or other suitable cover in order to rise.
3. You’ll know it’s done when the dough doubles in size after rising, which should take about half an hour.

shape the dough & cook

1. Divide the dough into smaller equal pieces and reshape into small round balls. Dust lightly with flour and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
2. Cover again with a towel and let stand while they puff slightly.
3. After they puff, you can roll them out and transfer to a skillet to cook.
4. The flatbreads cook really fast, so stay close to the skillet and flip them as soon as they’re lightly golden on the bottom and then cook on the other side. As you’re cooking the next flatbread, be sure to cover the cooked ones with a kitchen towel to stay warm.

TIPS FOR making homemade flatbread

1. Don’t rush the rise. Although this is a quick bread, make sure to calculate the total time you need for all the steps, so the dough rises well with the proper amount of time.
2. Use parchment paper to help transfer the flatbreads to the skillet. This is a great trick I learned that helps maintain the shape of the flatbread so you’re not trying to lift them with your hands and transfer them to a hot skillet quickly.
3. Make sure your pan or griddle is hot. The cook time is very short and the correct temperature will insure the flatbread cooks properly and quickly, without over drying.
4. Cover the flatbread with a towel immediately after cooking. This keeps it warm and soft as well as prevents a tough dry crust.

recipes to make with flatbread

• Yogurt Flatbread
• Pesto Tomato Flatbread
• Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza
• Zaatar Manakeesh

HOW TO REHEAT & STORE flatbread

Flatbread should be stored either tightly wrapped in foil or plastic wrap, in a sealed container, or in a ziplock bag. Flatbread tastes best stored at room temperature, where it will last for three days.

HOW LONG WILL flatbread LAST IN THE FRIDGE?

Tightly wrapped or sealed in a ziplock bag, it will last for a week to 10 days in the refrigerator.

CAN I FREEZE flatbread?

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. Reheat in a hot oven for a few minutes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Some things are so much better when they are homemade, and flatbread definitely falls into that category. Make your own easy flatbread from scratch and enjoy this warm, soft skillet bread with breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

MORE bread making tutorials:

• Olive Oil Garlic Bread
• Double Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
• Lemon Blueberry Bread
• Strawberry Banana Bread
• Oatmeal Banana Bread

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