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.
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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:
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Shirley says
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
Nagi says
You sure can Shirly, I would wrap in foil and heat in the oven – N x
Ellen says
Hi! Is there an alternative to cling wrap that we can use?
Nagi says
Hi Ellen, beeswax wraps or a bowl with a damp towel over it will also work – N x
Lydia says
Can I make lots of small ones out of this same recipe?
Nagi says
Yes definitely Lydia!
Miranda says
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.
Nagi says
They will be perfect with butter chicken… if they make it until then 😉
Bec says
Hi there, could you add garlic and/or green onion to the dough before cooking for extra flavor?
Nagi says
Sure could Bec!
Lim says
Made this last night, tastes terrific but didn’t see it puff or bubble up while cooking. What could I be doing wrong?
Nagi says
Hi Lim, try a slightly higher heat, let me know how you go! – N x
Tricia says
Do you think it would work with almond flour? Coconut?
Nagi says
I haven’t tried to be honest Tricia, I’d love to know!
Alexa Vaughan White says
This is genuinely the best bread ever. Brush with garlic olive oil and enjoy.
Nagi says
Woot! I’m so glad you loved it Alexa – You’re converted now!!
Sybille says
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!
Nagi says
Coconut milk would give it a lovely flavour Sybille!
NJ says
May I sub the butter with oil instead? Intend to make a pile of these to freeze.
Nagi says
Hi NJ, I haven’t tried to be honest, would love to know if it works – N x
Madelyne Faro-Caruana says
Can’t wait to try this tonight. I only discovered your page 2 weeks ago and tried your Gozleme (delicious) and Pork (I used chicken) & prawn wonton soup…and both a massive family hit. So I know this will be perfect tonight with my slow cooked stew
Nagi says
Awesome Madelyne!
Cassie says
I will never buy naan again. So easy and so good. Cooked in oil but put slices of butter on the uncooked side before turning. As suggested, wrapped in a tea towel before serving. Used SR flour as didn’t have plain flour, wouldn’t change this, light, crispy and moist. Thanks!
Nagi says
Perfect Cassie! You’re converted now! 😂
Greg Cleveland says
I’m going to try and make this with vegan butter and plant based milk. I’m vegan, but I’ve adjusted several of your recipes and wow, they work well. THANKS!
Nagi says
I’d love to know how they turn out Greg!
Benedicta ojukwu says
Comment: *This recipe was wonderful and so so easy,my family love it. Thanks so much ma’am
Nagi says
You’re so welcome! I’m so glad you loved it!
Max Riley says
Just made it for me and my partner! We both loved it!
Nagi says
Wahoo!
Desrene says
Can I substitute butter with coconut oil?
Nagi says
Hi Desrene, I haven’t tried but would love to know how it goes!
Michele says
Would this work to cook it on the grill?
Nagi says
Sure can Michele!
Rhonda Davis says
Can you use unsalted butter in this recipe to cut down the sodium content? Heart condition requires low sodium. Thanks!
Nagi says
Definitely Rhonda!
Aaron says
Have you tried to bake this recipe? Would it work in the oven?
Nagi says
I haven’t Aaron, I feel it’s just easier to do it in a pan as it doesn’t take long – N x
Regina says
Just made these today with the chicken slouvaki. Super easy and delicious! Thanks for the recipies!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you loved it Regina!