An easy, soft flatbread recipe that’s made without yeast. You’ll love how soft and pliable this flat bread is, making it perfect to use as wraps for Souvlaki or Gyros, or as naan to dunk into Tikka Masala or Butter Chicken. The possibilities are endless!
Flatbread recipe
I love fresh homemade bread. And though I bake bread with yeast more frequently nowadays, I still find it easier and a general preference to make bread without yeast.
Maximum taste, most tasty outcome with minimum effort – but without compromising on the end result. That’s my ultimate goal and the ethos that underpins every recipe I share here on RecipeTin Eats.
Over the years, I have tried a lot of flatbread recipes. Flatbreads from many different cuisines, from blogs and cooking sites, by home cooks, from reality cooking shows (yes, Master Chef and My Kitchen Rules!), serious chefs and celebrity chefs.
But I always found they were too doughy (e.g. the ones that only use yoghurt as the wet ingredient) or too crisp to use as a wrap unless they were moistened with lashings of butter. Absolutely delicious, mind you. But not what I was after. So this recipe is my idea of a perfect flatbread recipe.
How to make Flatbread – with NO yeast
This flatbread recipe is made with no yeast. It is very easy to make, requiring just a minute or two of kneading.
And it honestly is beautifully soft and pliable. So soft you can use it as a wrap and it won’t crack.
And of course, it is perfect to be used as pita bread, for things like Greek Gyros and Greek Chicken Souvlaki.
And here I have used it as “naan” as a side for Butter Chicken. When I make it to be like “naan”, I cook it on a slightly higher heat to get larger and more brown bits on it – just like real naan! The crust gets slightly crispier so it’s not as suited to use as a wrap, like in the above photo.
If you’ve never tried homemade bread before, this flatbread recipe is a great one to start with because it really is that easy. The worst that can happen with this flatbread recipe is that the heat is too high when you cook it so the exterior ends up a bit too crunchy and cracks when you roll it. If that happens, just spray it with olive oil or brush lightly with oil or butter and it will moisten the surface.
Try this once, and store-bought flatbreads will never be the same again. That I can promise! – Nagi x
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Easy Soft Flatbread (No Yeast)
Ingredients
- 2 cups / 300g plain flour (all purpose flour) (level cups, unsifted, not packed), + keep 1/4 cup extra for dusting & adjusting dough
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 1/2 tbsp / 50g butter (1.75 oz)
- 3/4 cup / 185 ml milk
- 1/2 tbsp oil (for cooking)
Instructions
- Combine butter and milk and heat until butter is just melted - on stove or in microwave.
- Combine 2 cups flour, salt, butter and milk.
- Sprinkle work surface with flour then knead for a few minutes until it is smooth - it doesn't need much kneading. Add extra flour if the dough is too sticky.
- Wrap with cling wrap and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes or so.
- Dust bench top with flour, cut dough into 4 pieces, roll into balls, then roll out into about 1/8" / 0.3cm thick rounds.
- Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a non stick pan over medium heat - or lower if you have a heavy based skillet. (Note 1)
- Place one flatbread in the pan, cook for around 1- 1 1/2 minutes - it should bubble up (see photo in post)- then flip and cook the other side, pressing down if it puffs up. There should be a smallish golden brown spots on both sides.
- Stack the cooked bread and keep wrapped with a tea towel - the moisture helps soften the surface, making them even more pliable.
- Continue to cook with remaining pieces.
- Optional: Brush or spray bread with olive oil or melted butter, for a more luxurious finish. Or even with melted butter mixed with minced garlic for a garlic butter version!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Summer, autumn, spring and winter. Rain, hail or shine.
I have cooked these and frozen them ahead of a family meal. How would you suggest to reheat them and for how long? Thanks!
Hi Nic, I would wrap in cling wrap and microwave to reheat – N x
Hi
I made these flatbreads and they were brilliant. Is it possible to make them in advance and reheat them in the oven. If so how would I do that ? I want to make them for a dinner party with your slow cooked Lamb recipe ! I love your recipes
You sure can Shirly, I would wrap in foil and heat in the oven – N x
Hi! Is there an alternative to cling wrap that we can use?
Hi Ellen, beeswax wraps or a bowl with a damp towel over it will also work – N x
Can I make lots of small ones out of this same recipe?
Yes definitely Lydia!
I just made these beauties ahead for the butter chicken I am making tonight (it’s in the fridge marinating) and they are amazing. And so easy! And delicious. There are only 3 though. I might have eaten the other one.
They will be perfect with butter chicken… if they make it until then 😉
Hi there, could you add garlic and/or green onion to the dough before cooking for extra flavor?
Sure could Bec!
Made this last night, tastes terrific but didn’t see it puff or bubble up while cooking. What could I be doing wrong?
Hi Lim, try a slightly higher heat, let me know how you go! – N x
Do you think it would work with almond flour? Coconut?
I haven’t tried to be honest Tricia, I’d love to know!
This is genuinely the best bread ever. Brush with garlic olive oil and enjoy.
Woot! I’m so glad you loved it Alexa – You’re converted now!!
Hi Nagi – I love getting your recipes in my inbox :-)) anyway, I have made the easy, soft flatbread recipe a few times recently and love it, so much so, that I keep some dough ready in my fridge. But I have tweeked it a little. When I did not have any milk, I used light coconut milk instead – great!
I also cook it a lot longer than 1.5 minutes – the first time I stuck to that, it was raw on the inside.
Also, after rolling the dough, I brush it with a little butter before frying the bread – yummy!
Coconut milk would give it a lovely flavour Sybille!
May I sub the butter with oil instead? Intend to make a pile of these to freeze.
Hi NJ, I haven’t tried to be honest, would love to know if it works – N x