An easy, soft flatbread recipe that’s made without yeast, an excellent quick option when you don’t have hours for yeast dough to rise. You’ll love how soft and pliable this flat bread is, making it perfect to use as wraps for Gyros, Shawarma and Doner kebabs. 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. (PS If you’ve got the time to make proper naan, try my Naan recipe. It’s just like the real deal!)
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
I’ve added oil but it’s not necessary. Please follow your recipe card below.
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Easy Soft Flatbread (No Yeast)
Ingredients
- 2 cups 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 unsalted butter (1.75 oz)
- 3/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Melt butter in milk: Combine butter and milk and heat until butter is just melted – on stove or in microwave.
- Combine Dry: Combine 2 cups flour, salt, butter and milk in a bowl.
- Knead 2 minutes: 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.
- Rest 30 minutes: Wrap with cling wrap and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes or so.
- Roll into rounds: Dust bench top with flour, cut dough into 6 pieces, roll into balls, then roll out into 20cm / 8" rounds, 2 – 3 mm thick.
- Heat pan: Heat a non stick pan over high heat (no oil). (Note 1)
- Cook: Place one flatbread in the pan, cook for around 1- 1 1/2 minutes – it should puff up dramatically. Once the underside has nice golden patches on it, flip and cook the other side for 45 seconds to 1 minute until the underside has golden spots and it puffs up again.
- Keep wrapped in tea towel: 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.
- Brush with butter or oil (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.
Jess says
Another awesome recipe Nagi! I had tried this a few weeks ago and messed it up. Just made it again (used olive oil instead of butter) and it turned out perfectly!
Donna says
This flat bread was super easy, delicious, and will be a regular staple on our menu!
I am so happy to have found your website! I’ve made 4 recipes so far, and each one was sensational! Thank you!
Free Ralo says
My dough was a little dry despite adding some extra splashes of light cream (only milk I had). But I wasn’t disappointed! These taste just like naan and did great scooping up my curried dal. Great recipe, thanks Nagi!
Nagi says
Perfect Free!! N x
Muntaha says
I want to make these for dinner tonight along with some grilled chicken kabobs! But my daughter has a wheat allergy so will be making them gluten free. Would you happen to know how much xanthan gum would be required? Thank you!
Nagi says
Hi Muntaha, see the recipe notes for gluten free 🙂 N x
Muntaha says
I saw the notes before commenting, it didn’t make any mention of xanthan gum. I just tried the recipe earlier and unfortunately it did not work for me. Not sure if it was the gluten free flour mix I have or using soy milk.
Kelli says
Using these for homemade doner kebabs tonight – quarantine pantry meant half whole meal, half plain flour and olive oil instead of butter. Soft easy to roll dough, can’t wait until dinner!
Nagi says
You’re converted now – how easy are they Kelli?!
Katy says
This recipe was so easy to make! I subtsituted butter for coconut oil and they tasted amazing! I love this recipe.
Thanks a bunch, Nagi!
Nagi says
That’s great to know Katy!
Rob says
These are amazing! So easy and versatile. I must admit I haven’t actually let them rest for 30 minutes yet, as I have been making them on lunch break whilst working from home. The result is fantastic though. Without the resting time I can make these in 10 minutes from start to finish. So far I’ve tried them as a wrap for some grilled halloumi, lamb kofta, and grilled chicken, all of which worked great! This is now my go-to flatbread recipe.
Jim R says
Made this last night. Worked a treat! Will make it again. Thank you for posting this easy recipe.
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Jim! N x
Lou says
Oops, made the Lamb Koftas, rating the wrong recipe.
Nagi says
Thanks Lou! N x
Lou says
Awesome awesome meal. Even made the flatbreads. Everyone loved it. Thank you.
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Lou! N x
Jasmine says
Hi Nagi,
I’m hoping to make your chicken tikka along with the no yeast flat bread 🙂
Any tips on how i can turn it from normal naan into garlic naan??
Shanny says
Heyy! I’m thinking of making this tomorrow. Can I use self raising flour or does it have to be whole wheat specifically?
Nagi says
Hi Shanny – you can use self raising flour, just roll them a little thinner 🙂 N x
Leisa says
Nagi, your recipes are so easy and delicious and the flat bread was no exception – love it!
Nagi says
Thanks so much Leisa! N x
Talei says
Hi Nagi I love your recipes! Im thinking if trying this tonight, can you please tell me though.. can I rest it longer than 30 minutes if i want to prepare the dough earlier today? Thank you!
Nagi says
Hi Talei, sure can – just leave it in the fridge! N x
Tanya Cropley Minors says
Another amazing recipe – as always. Needed something without yeast…. perfect!
Nagi says
That’s great Tanya!! N x
julie cowell says
I have made this for myself and my husband during lockdown from this corona virus in England. It was delicious and and I will never buy wraps again. So tasty I cant believe I made them!!!Thank you so much xx
Nagi says
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Julie!! N x
El says
I’ve made that. The whole family loved it. Was wondering can I double the quantity so I can freeze some for later use!?
Nagi says
Yes of course!! N x
El says
Sounds good. Thanks Nagi!
James says
Thanks for your great, detailed and well presented recipes Nagi!
Do you have any video of how to knead properly?
Jenn says
Would this work for a flat bread pizza?
Nagi says
Hi Jenn, yes it does – you just need to cook it first as per the recipe, then use as a pizza base 🙂 N x
Beryl says
worked just as you said !
was very bendable without cracking and worked well for a breakfast burrito
Nagi says
Wahoo!!! That’s great Beryl! N x
Cheryl says
Love your flat bread recipe – so simple and easy to make. We ate it as a wrap. So delish. Certainly a keeper. I love all your recipes and the fact they are so simple and easy to make.