Easy Yoghurt Flatbread (No Yeast)

This yoghurt flatbread recipe is an easy midweek staple. I adore yeasted bread, but the convenience of this oh-so-easy-to-make quick flatbread recipe is such a perk.

Whenever I have only a few odds and ends in the fridge, I turn to homemade flatbread for an easy dinner. They are a superb vehicle for leftovers. And you can even grill them in the oven with cheese for quick flatbread pizzas.

The first yoghurt flatbread recipe I tried was Anna Jones’s recipe from The Modern Cook’s Year. Over time, her recipe evolved to suit my favourite yoghurt and preferred flour. And you can do the same.

Simple yoghurt flatbread ingredients & substitutes

This easy yoghurt flatbread recipe relies on only a handful of simple ingredients. And the recipe is very forgiving, so use what you have around the house.

• Flour: I use plain all-purpose white flour, cake flour, or even white bread flour. You can also use spelt flour or a mix of whole wheat and plain flour. If you prefer self-raising flour, just omit the baking powder.
• Baking powder: Leave the baking powder if you have self-raising flour. You can also swap the teaspoon and a half of baking powder for a scant teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda).
• Salt: I use dessert salt, but you can use kosher salt or sea salt.
• Nigella seeds: This is a completely optional add-in, but I love the earthy flavour and the pretty black specks of Nigella seeds in the finished flatbread. Try a teaspoon of cumin, caraway or fennel seeds instead.
• Yoghurt: I use full-fat Greek yoghurt, but you can use any plain yoghurt. If your natural yoghurt is thin, you can add a tablespoon of olive oil to add some fat if you want.

How to make yoghurt flatbread

This homemade flatbread recipe is quick, easy and super straightforward, but it always pays to be organised. So, gather your ingredients, a mixing bowl, a rolling pin and a damp kitchen towel.

You can make homemade yoghurt flatbread in four easy steps in 30 minutes:

• Step 1: Make the flatbread dough
• Step 2: Let the dough rest for 15 minutes
• Step 3: Roll the dough portions into disks
• Step 4: Cook in a hot skillet for three to four minutes each

Step 1: Make the flatbread dough

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl – reserving two tablespoons of flour. I love the flatbreads flecked with tiny black nigella seeds. But you can also use cumin or caraway seeds or omit the seeds entirely.

Add Greek-style or plain yoghurt to the dry ingredients. And bring the mixture together. First, stir everything with a fork or wooden spoon, then jump in with your hands.

If the dough is visibly dry and struggling to come together, add a splash of water. Similarly, if the dough is too wet, add the reserved flour – one tablespoon at a time – until you have a dough that comes together and does not stick to your hands too much.

You can leave a comment below to save your ideal ratio of wet to dry ingredients for next time (remember to specify which yoghurt you used).

If you don’t mind the extra equipment to wash up, you can also use a stand mixer or food processor to prepare the dough.

Once mixed, give the dough a quick knead on a clean work surface to form a smooth ball – only for a minute or so. The dough won’t be as elastic as bread dough. And if it sticks too much while kneading, sprinkle it with flour.

Step 2: Rest dough for 15 minutes

Place the dough back in the mixing bowl and cover it with a damp tea towel. Rest the dough for 15 minutes. Don’t skip this step, or the flatbread will tear as it puffs up in the pan.

Heat your dry pan over medium-high heat. You can turn it down to medium heat once hot.

Step 3: Roll out the flatbreads

I typically make four small flatbreads of about 15 cm (6 inches). They fit perfectly in a 25 cm (10-inch) cast-iron skillet. You can also use the same amount of dough to make two large flatbread. Just ensure they fit in your pan.

Divide the dough into four equal-sized pieces for small flatbread, or divide it in two for large flatbread. Shape each dough portion into a ball. And keep the dough balls covered under the damp kitchen towel.

Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour and roll the first ball, with a flour-dusted rolling pin, into a thin flatbread – roughly 3 mm (⅛ inch). It doesn’t need to be perfectly round. You can sprinkle the top of the flatbread with flour if it sticks to the rolling pin.

Step 4: Cook in a hot dry pan

Once your pan is nice and hot, place a rolled flatbread in the pan. Cook the thin flatbread for 1–2 minutes until you see bubbles forming in the dough. Flip the dough with tongs or a spatula and cook for another 1–2 minutes.

Once flipped, it will puff up and create wonderfully charred spots on the bottom.

Remove the flatbread to a plate and repeat with the remaining dough balls, stacking the cooked flatbreads as you go. Cover the stack with a kitchen towel.

Yoghurt flatbread questions

Which flour works best for yoghurt flatbreads?

I use plain all-purpose or cake flour for fluffy and soft flatbreads. But you can also use spelt flour or any wheat flour, really. Or use a mix of whole wheat flour and plain flour.

Different flours have different water absorption properties. So, depending on the type of flour and the brand of Greek or natural yoghurt, you may need to adjust the ratio of wet to dry ingredients to get the perfect dough.

Can I use self-raising flour?

Yes! I specifically developed this easy recipe with self-raising flour in mind.

It is not fussy. A little too much or too little of the raising agent won’t be your downfall here. If you use self-raising flour, just leave out the baking powder.

How to serve yoghurt flatbread

Brush your yoghurt flatbread with melted butter, garlic butter or harissa butter. Then serve the buttered flatbread as a perfect side dish to stews, curries and soup.

Yoghurt flatbread is also delicious with Middle Eastern breakfast dishes, like harissa shakshuka with feta, black lime & parsley or kuku sabzi (a Persian herb frittata packed with greens).

Cut the easy yoghurt flatbreads into triangles and serve with mezze and dips as you would fresh pita bread.

Or use large flatbread as a pizza base. Spread the tender flatbreads with tomato paste (or rose harissa paste for a Middle Eastern touch). Scatter the flatbread pizzas with cheese and toppings like olives or cherry tomatoes and bake in a hot oven until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

How to store yoghurt flatbread

Wrap leftover yoghurt flatbread in foil or plastic wrap. It will keep well in the freezer for up to three months. Or store them at room temperature for one day.

Use stale flatbreads to make delicious pan-fried croutons. They’re also perfect for a Middle Eastern bread salad (fattoush).