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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Made this last night. Worked a treat! Will make it again. Thank you for posting this easy recipe.
You’re so welcome Jim! N x
Oops, made the Lamb Koftas, rating the wrong recipe.
Thanks Lou! N x
Awesome awesome meal. Even made the flatbreads. Everyone loved it. Thank you.
You’re so welcome Lou! N x
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??
Heyy! I’m thinking of making this tomorrow. Can I use self raising flour or does it have to be whole wheat specifically?
Hi Shanny – you can use self raising flour, just roll them a little thinner 🙂 N x
Nagi, your recipes are so easy and delicious and the flat bread was no exception – love it!
Thanks so much Leisa! N x
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!
Hi Talei, sure can – just leave it in the fridge! N x
Another amazing recipe – as always. Needed something without yeast…. perfect!
That’s great Tanya!! N x
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
Wahoo, that’s great to hear Julie!! N x
I’ve made that. The whole family loved it. Was wondering can I double the quantity so I can freeze some for later use!?
Yes of course!! N x
Sounds good. Thanks Nagi!
Thanks for your great, detailed and well presented recipes Nagi!
Do you have any video of how to knead properly?
Would this work for a flat bread pizza?
Hi Jenn, yes it does – you just need to cook it first as per the recipe, then use as a pizza base 🙂 N x
worked just as you said !
was very bendable without cracking and worked well for a breakfast burrito
Wahoo!!! That’s great Beryl! N x
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.
I made this flatbread using wholemeal flour it was absolutely delicious!! 😋 I’m going to make some more tomorrow to go with your Butter Chicken recipe..thank you Nagi.
I have made this recipe many times and it is my usual curry accompaniment however as I sit here enjoying my flat bread pizza I feel compelled to write about how versatile this bread is and how easy and fast it is to prepare. Really love this recipe.
Yes it’s so good isn’t it Rob!!! N x
This is really good! I like it
Thankyou for the receipt:)
You’re so welcome Samuel! N x
Loved this recipe. I added “everything but the bagel” seasoning when I rolled it out and it was extra delicious!
YUM! Sounds great Dk – N x
Thanks for the easy recipe I’ll be trying it out I appreciate your info and simplicity
I hope you love them Rob!! N x
Excellent recipe thanks. We cooked ours until crispy, came out perfect and delicious. No need for us to buy flatbread again..