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:
Life of Dozer
Summer, autumn, spring and winter. Rain, hail or shine.
Will this recipe work with gluten-free flour? I.e. Cup4Cup?
Thank you.
Jo
Please see note 5! 🙂
Does this work with margarine instead of butter?
I am sure it will!
Will this work with a light margarine instead of butter…or even Crisco? Thanks!
Yes!
This was amazing and so easy. A lot of fun to make too! Made it with the Butter Chicken recipe. Husband loved, children loved it and I’ve recommended it to many friends!
So glad I found you Nagi. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful recipes and tips. I love watching the videos. I’ve learnt so much from you already.
That’s great to hear Jessica! Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed this! N x ❤️
SO AMAZING I LOVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That’s great to hear Beth! So pleased you enjoyed this! N xx
Is it 370 Kcal for 4 breads or for just one?
I made these with einkorn flour, clarified butter and homemade almond milk because that’s what I had laying around. I did not want to go to the trouble of working with yeast. They turned out great! These were yummy for dipping in Baba Ganoush. Thanks!
That’s great Jennifer! So pleased you enjoyed this, thanks for letting me know! N x
Hi Nagi,
I tried making this with wholemeal flour (plain, non self-raising) and the ratios didn’t work and the wraps were very floury.
Help? 🙂
Hi Cristina! You do need to adjust the consistency a bit when using wholemeal as the absorbency is different. Try starting with less flour and add on an as-needed basis. 🙂 N x
Thank you for the recipe! So easy & yummy!!
I just discovered your website and have made the chicken and wild rice soup and this delicious bread. I have several others on my list to try. I really appreciate how your recipes use ingredients most people have in their pantry. It makes trying new food more enjoyable. This particular recipe is so quick and easy and it takes delicious. I don’t considered myself a great bread maker but these are so easy anyone can make them.
Hi Nagi, I’m going to try these this week with your Greek Chicken recipe, but wondering the best way to keep them warm after cooking to all eat together – I was thinking wrapping in foil and in a low oven? but would they dry out?
This is one of my favourite recipes! The result is just perfect and much better than store bought. I make mine on a hotplate normally used for Pancakes and it bubbles up with pockets of air, they fold and wrap so well and since it’s homemade bread (although so simple to make) you get that pleasing ‘I made that’ feeling. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so pleased to hear that Richard! Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this! N x ❤️
Just made it with olive oil instead of butter, same ratio, and just perfect result. Thank you! A great recipe for unleavened bread and pita! God Bless!
Love hearing that Helen! So pleased you enjoyed this so much! N xx
Dear Nagi,
These is the best flatbread. Thank you so much for the recipe. My kids love it.
LOVE hearing that Tanuja! N xx
Thank you very much for this delious yeast free flat bread recipe.
I it sooo good with everything. We can’t stop o and a when we are eating!
FANTASTIC to hear Astrid!! Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed this 🙂 N xx
I have recently gotten into baking, and I’ve been making many breads. This one is ridiculously simple, but this is the one my husband cannot keeps his hands off of. He asks for it often, and loves it – we both do! So simple, very forgiving, and so delicious. Thank you for the recipe!
Love hearing that Bonnie! N xx
Just made this today, so simple and the dough is wonderfully easy to knead and roll out. Used half butter and garlic olive oil(from marinating roasted garlic) and added chopped fresh rosemary! So good! Thank you for this recipe! Cheers, Angie
I LOVE hearing that Angie! Thanks so much for letting me know! N xx
This is a non sticky, silky dough that even a novice could do. I didn’t want to stop kneading it.
I just made the dough. Gong to try it with your shawarma (have leftovers from last night)
Hope you love it Phil! N x
This flatbread was much better than store-bought! Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Nagi,
I’ve only recently discovered your fabulous web site thanks to an online friend sharing your link. I have gone nuts over your yeast free Flat Bread! Last night I made the one pan sausages. Soo good. Satay chicken/noodles next. Thank you x