Soft Flatbread Without Yeast (no-knead)
This easy flatbread is made without yeast and requires no kneading. It’s soft, quick, and easy to make. Perfect for wraps or to accompany almost anything. You can customize it in many different ways with herbs, cheese, and even stuff it with potatoes or other savory foods.
Do you make bread often? Well, this week, the most popular posts on the blog are my bread recipes. And, while I am very happy to hear that, many on my Facebook page said they cannot find yeast, or they don’t have time to make no-knead yeast bread.
So, today, I wanted to share a flatbread that’s easier and gets done in less than an hour.
Why make this flatbread recipe
- Flatbreads are not new to me because back home in India, every home makes a few flatbread recipes at least a couple of times a week. We have some of the most amazing variations as well.
- Ideally, there is no recipe for flatbread. You need only flour, salt, and water to make a flatbread. All you do is add a little salt to the flour and use just enough water to make a dough. Shape them into balls and roll them into discs. Then cook them in a hot skillet until beautifully cooked. So you see, flatbread is probably the easiest of all bread.
- My recipe adds a bit more flavor and lightness with the baking soda and butter. As you can see in the video below, it is a very simple and easy recipe. I often make it with my kids. The lack of yeast makes the dough easier for kids to handle.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Flour – I use plain all-purpose flour for this. No bread flour or pastry flour – just simple plain flour. You can also use whole wheat flour.
- Baking soda – Adds a bit of lightness to the dough. And yet, do not add too much as it can also give a weird aftertaste. If you do not have baking soda, use baking powder. While not exactly the same, it still works well.
- Water – Warm water works best with baking soda to create a nice light dough.
- Butter – Adds a nice richness to the dough. You can also use 2 tbsp of olive oil.
Step-by-step: No-yeast flatbread recipe
- Dough – In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add the butter and combine well. Then, add water until you have a soft dough.
Pro tip – Rubbing the butter into the flour will give a nice flaky flatbread.
- Rest – Once combined, cover and let rest for 30 minutes (up to 2 hours).
Pro tip – The dough needs to be soft, so if necessary, add a few more tablespoons of water. - Knead – Once rested, knead the dough for just a minute or two until smooth.
Pro tip – Resting will help the gluten relax and make the dough easier to knead.
- Divide – Use a bench scraper or knife and divide the dough into six to eight portions. Shape each into a smooth ball and set aside.
- Roll – coat the ball of dough with flour and, using a rolling pin, roll it into a 6 to 8-inch disc.
Pro tip – If the dough resists or shrinks, it means it needs more resting time. - Skillet – Heat a cast-iron skillet or frying pan on medium heat. Cook the flatbread for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat. Brush with melted butter or olive oil.
Pro tip – Keep the heat to medium, or they will dry out easily. - Store – Once cooked, wrap them in a clean kitchen cloth to keep them soft.
Tips for Success
- Make the dough soft because as the flour absorbs moisture, it will stiffen up.
- The baking soda works with warm water when combined. So, do not overwork the dough.
- The dough will be quite lumpy and wrinkled when first combined, but once it has rested, it will become a smooth dough.
- Try to let the dough rest between steps, for example, form the balls, then roll the first ball that has had a minute to rest.
- Cook the flatbread on medium heat – too high heat will burn it. And yet, too low heat will cause them to become too hard when cooled.
- It is very important to place the cooked flatbread wrapped in a clean kitchen cloth. This causes the steam in the bread to cool inside the bread and keeps it soft.
- A smear of butter or oil helps keep the flatbread soft longer.
Frequently asked questions
If stored properly and wrapped well in a clean kitchen cloth, this flatbread will keep for 2 to 3 days at room temperature. You can store it for longer in the freezer.
I store flatbread wrapped well in a clean kitchen cloth at room temperature. Do not store bread in the fridge. Instead, place it in freezer-safe bags and store them in the freezer.
Place the flatbread in the microwave for 30 seconds. If necessary, wrap the bread in a moist paper towel and microwave for 30 seconds. The steam created by the moist paper towel helps soften the bread.
This dough does not require kneading, but it should be soft. So, do not add too much water. As you see in the video below, the dough is soft and pliable. Resist the temptation to add too much flour, as it will make the flatbread tough.
Absolutely, add grated cheese, finely chopped herbs, and vegetable puree. You can even brush it with roasted garlic and fresh herbs, or top it with more cheese. I often stuff it with mashed potatoes, too.
Easy Soft Flatbread Recipes
This easy flatbread is made without yeast and requires no kneading. It's soft, quick, and easy to make. Perfect for wraps or to pair with almost anything. You can customize it in many different ways with herbs, cheese, and even stuff it with potatoes or other savories.
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) All-purpose flour or 50% WW flour and 50% White flour
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¾ cup (180 ml) Water (3/4 cup)
- 2 tbsp (30 g) Butter soft room temperature
Method
- Dough – In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and baking soda. Add the butter and combine well. Then, add water until you have a soft dough.
- Rest – Once combined, cover and let rest for 30 minutes (up to 2 hours).
- Knead – Once rested, knead the dough for just a minute or two until smooth.
- Divide – Use a bench scraper or knife and divide the dough into six to eight portions. Shape each into a smooth ball and set aside.
- Roll – coat the ball of dough with flour and, using a rolling pin, roll it into a 6 to 8-inch disc.
- Skillet – Heat a cast-iron skillet or frying pan on medium heat. Cook the flatbread for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat. Brush with melted butter or olive oil.
- Store – Once cooked, wrap them in a clean kitchen cloth to keep them soft.
Notes
Tips for success
- Make the dough soft because as the flour absorbs moisture, it will stiffen up.
- The baking soda works with warm water when combined. So, do not overwork the dough.
- The dough will be quite lumpy and wrinkled when first combined, but once it has rested, it will become a smooth dough.
- Try to let the dough rest between steps, for example, form the balls, then roll the first ball that has had a minute to rest.
- Cook the flatbread on medium heat – too high heat will burn it. And yet, too low heat will cause them to become too hard when cooled.
- It is very important to place the cooked flatbread wrapped in a clean kitchen cloth. This causes the steam in the bread to cool inside the bread and keeps it soft.
- A smear of butter or oil helps keep the flatbread soft longer.
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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thank you this recipe and video are great an easy to follow. I made it and it is delicious
Hi chef, I want to make pita bread which doesn’t require yeast and can be made quickly . Will this recipe work for me or should I follow another one ?
Use this flat bread recipe – it does not use any yeast. After you roll the pita. Leave it to rest covered for 15 minutes before you bake. That will help with the puff.
Hi Veena thanks for being online I’ll try this today. I do have one question, on your video you mentioned that you have a recipe using milk and baking powder can you please tell me where that recipe is? Thanks again.
You can use milk and baking powder in this recipe. I don’t have a separate recipe for that yet. Sorry for the confusion. Thanks
Hi! I really liked this recipe. I made them this morning and had a steak wrap. It was delicious! I have one question, do you continue to store them in the towel for the next few days? Thanks!
Hey Christine – Yes, I like to wrap them in a kitchen cloth as it prevents them from drying out. You can also freeze them and warm them in a damp papertowerl
Hello All—
Was very hesitant but I saw this recipe and didn’t want to go to the store and needed something fast! My husband brought home some brisket from a barbecue stand ( no sauce just meat) and I knew I didn’t want to sandwich!
I wanted some sort of flatbread with Mexi- toppings! This recipe was so easy and I let it sit for 30 minutes as stated… grabbed a piece of the nonstick foil and shaped out my balls of dough on it quickly, easily, no problem and no sticking!!
The flatbreads came out so tender so delicious!!!
This is a wonderful base recipe and I would love to add herbs and cheese next time to the dough!!!!
Very surprised very impressed!!!!!!
Thank you, Johnson. Happy that you enjoyed this recipe. We do love it too. Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. I love meat with flatbreads more than sandwiches too.