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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Vicki Hermes says
This recipe is so simple and delicious! Making it again tonight .
Nagi says
It’s one of my favourites! So easy!!
Titi says
@recipetineats I want to try your Doner Kebab gyros and shawarma which type of flatbread should I use for each??
Nagi says
This flatbread would work perfectly for both!
Marius says
Was a life safer, thank you. Unexpected guest with nothing prepared then I found this tasty and easily done recipe.
Nagi says
Wahoo Marius, flatbread to the rescue!
jessica robertson says
pita bread recipe worked great and tasted so good I was just wondering if I can make the dough and roll it out and freeze it
Nagi says
Sure can Jessica!
Tedi says
Excellent! Made several times for unleavened bread week!
Nagi says
I’m so glad you love them Tedi!
Shauna Britton says
Hi, love love all of your recipes, discovered you about a year ago and now can’t live without you ha, making these flat breads once again, they are fab. Also love Dozer, my parents had a Golden retriever many years ago and my big brother and his other half have on e now called Alfie.Keep up the good work, xxx
Nagi says
I’m so glad you love my recipes Shauna!
Yvonne says
Just made your flatbread!!! Fantastic-easy and delicious
Nagi says
Thanks so much for the feedback Yvonne!
Leah says
Hey,
Love your blog. This is called chapati in East Africa.
Nagi says
Hi Leah, Yes I love all the different names for this flatbread!
AJ says
Hey Nagi, I love your recipes, been making lots of food. Have you thought of combining your flatbread and no mess breadfast ideas together into an empanada/handheld pie/pastie? I make a similar empanada dough, fill it with pot pie/meat and potatoes/cranberry apple/etc fold it over, egg around edges, press together with a fork, then bake 375* 25-30mins. Family really lves them. Jst a thought. AJ
Tracey says
Hi Nagi. How long would you recommended kneading the dough in a Kitchenaid?
Nagi says
It honestly doesn’t take long – just until it comes together!
Sarah says
Hi Nagi, I’d like to add cheese to these flat breads, is that possible? If so, at what point would I add it in?
Nagi says
Oh I like the way you think Sarah! You could roll out the flat bread, sprinkle grated cheese on and then fold over (like a pocket) and then flattened again with a rolling pin. I’d love to know how you go!
Omi says
I feel so empowered! A very easy and party friendly recipe. I love that you include cooking notes, variations and most helpful, your suggestions on what to serve your recipes with!! Thank you!
Nagi says
You’re so welcome Omi! I’m so glad you loved it – N x
Eva says
So easy to make (w/o yeast) yaayyy….love it so much. Will make shrimp taco for family tonight. Thanks so much…
Kathy says
Hi Nagi, just made this to go with your butter chicken for tea, and it was a huge hit. Our picky 2.5 yr old ate half of the flat bread and lots of butter chicken all by herself. Another awesome recipe. Thank you.
Nagi says
I’m so glad it was a hit Kathy!
Joyce says
Brilliant.’ Easy to adapt. Quick and simple but very tasty. I make it so often now I know to recipe by heart.
Nagi says
Great Joyce!
Alessandra says
Hi Nagi,
I love your recipes and they are always big success. But now I have been kneading my dough for more than few minutes but it won’t turn smooth as in your video…Please tell me what to do, help!
Alessandra
Nagi says
Hi Alessandra, did you allow the recipe ingredients exactly? – N x
Anna says
So easy to make and so delightfully delicious! Went beautifully with the Everyday Chicken Curry
Michael says
I suffer with bad reactions to many food types including milk but I can eat butter. I was thinking of making this using water instead of milk. Will that work? Do you have any other suggestions? If it affects the taste, that is just something that I have to accept.
Wanda says
Absolutely loved this! It was super easy and tasty! I made this to go with your Chana Aloo dish! Thank you!
Nagi says
Perfect Wanda!
Leon says
Hi Nagi. If wanting to serve these with your “Arabian Feast”, could these be made a couple of hours before serving? If using when cooled, do you think that will that compromise their pliability? Cheers
Nagi says
Hi Leon, yes definitely make them in advance, they are super soft and won’t go hard – N x