You do not need to be a bread making expert to make these easy flatbreads . Made without yeast and without the addition of any dairy they are also suitable for vegans.
Made with just flour, salt, oil and water these flatbreads are really easy to make and once you make them the first time you are bound to make your own again instead of using shop bought.
Flatbreads in various forms are made throughout the world and there are many different recipe. They are also very versatile, you can use them as a side to an Indian Curry, as a wrap or to serve alongside a dip. The possibilities are endless.
Because they are so simple to make I have found myself making flatbreads a lot recently not least because they go well with the middle eastern style dishes which we enjoy a lot in the warm weather.
When I want a more naan like flatbread I tend to use my recipe for Really Easy Flatbreads which is published over on Recipes Made Easy. That recipe uses bicarbonate of soda and yogurt, producing a thicker fluffier flatbread.
However this recipe has the advantage that it does not require yogurt, so I always have all the ingredients required to hand and it also suits anyone following a dairy-free diet.
How long will these flatbreads keep?
The flatbreads will keep a day or two if wrapped and stored in an airtight container in a cool place but I think they are best eaten the same day.
I also like them best still warm from the pan. As you cook them you can keep them warm by wrapping in a tea towel. Leave wrapped in a warm place if not serving immediately.
The dough itself will keep if covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. If rolling in advance of cooking, separate each flatbread with a sheet of baking parchment otherwise they will end up as one thick flatbread!
They can be frozen then defrosted and reheated briefly in the microwave or in a pan. When you freeze them separate with sheets of baking parchment before over wrapping.
How to make the yeast free flatbreads
The dough requires only a minimal amount of kneading. Just sufficient to bring together to form a smooth dough. Over kneading will make them tough.
It is important that you then let the dough rest, covered for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours (If longer pop the dough in the refrigertor.)
I generally make four large flatbreads from this recipe about 20-23cm (8-9in) across which fit nicely in the base of my heavy frying pan. You could make up to 8 smaller ones if you prefer. The cooking time is the same.
The dough is a little sticky but try not to add too much extra flour as you roll as this can make the breads tougher if they absorb too much of the flour. I prefer to roll out each bread as the previous one cooks.
Cook in a heavy based frying pan or on a griddle. Heat over a medium/high heat and when hot lightly grease with a little oil before adding the bread. Cook until it begins to bubble up and looks golden on the underside, then flip over to finish cooking. About 1-2 minutes each side. Generally speaking I usually find the first one takes a little longer to cook than the rest.
Covering the breads with a tea towel while cooking the remaining will keep them soft and pliable and prevent them from drying out. If they do start to dry out, you can brush lightly with oil or butter and it will moisten the surface.
If the loose flour from the breads begins to burn in the pan after frying the first one or two breads carefully wipe out with a thick wodge of kitchen paper. (Take care the pan will be very hot).
Place flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and water. Mix to a dough and lightly knead. Divide into 4 and roll out each piece thinly. Cook in a hot pan until bubbles begin to appear. Flip over and cook the other side. Keep warm by wrapping in a tea towel.
More bread crumbs
Other bread recipes you might like to try from Only Crumbs Remain
Easy (no yeast) Flatbreads
Equipment
- Heavy based frying pan or griddle
- Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 325 g (11oz) plain flour (all-purpose flour) plus extra for dusting
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin plus extra for greasing
- 200 ml (7floz) water
Instructions
- Place 325g (11oz) flour and ½ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre.
- Pour 3 tablespoon olive oil and 200ml (7floz) water into the well and mix the flour and liquid together to form a smooth slightly sticky dough. If the dough is very sticky mix in a little more flour.
- Cover the bowl and leave to rest for 30 minutes.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal-sized pieces and roll each one out on a floured surface until it is about the size of the base of your frying pan.
- Heat the pan and lightly oil and when the pan is very hot place a flatbread in the pan and cook for 1–2 minutes. When you see the breads start to bubble up and that the underside is begining to brown flip over and cook the other side until golden.
- Place on a plate and cover with a clean tea towel while cooking the remaining flatbreads.
- Repeat with the other breads lightly greasing the pan if required inbetween cooking each flatbread.
Jamie
Good flat breads but you need to add alot more flour than the recipe says! Way too sticky otherwise!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Glad you liked the flat breads. I've no idea why you found them so sticky as I've made these breads many times and find the quantity pretty much spot on. All my recipes are also well tested before publication. Perhaps your flour is a little damp (flour absorbs moisture from the air which can affect the amount of liquid required a little) and you did not measure your water cquite cirrectly. I find some measuring jugs can be hard to guage exactly. (The most accurtae way to measure water would be to way it 200ml =200g water).
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
LOVE homemade flatbreads - they are so easy to make, aren't they? And so wonderfully versatile 😀 Eb x
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes
Thanks for sharing, these look yummy and easy to make 🙂
Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you. They really are easy to make.
Michelle Rolfe
I do love flatbreads, something I make all the time, just never the same twice! Sometimes I add yogurt, sometimes I don't - all depends what I have to hand. I love the ease and its something I've always done camping as so hard to keep bread fresh in a tent! Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare. Michelle x
Chloe Edges
Looks fab, I normally make yoghurt flatbreads but I should absolutely try your no dairy version!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Yes, I often make them with yogurt too but these are more flat and more wrap like so make a tasty change.