Middle Eastern · serves 2

Arabic Flatbread

Yeast, flour, water. Thicker than pita, and it comes out of the oven soft.

120 min Some work Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 4 cups plain flour
  • 7g dry yeast in 5 tbsp warm water with 1/2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp oil
  • Water to knead

Method

  1. Sift the flour and salt, wait for the yeast to go frothy, then bring it together with enough water for a stiff dough.
  2. Oil in, knead again, then cover with a damp cloth until doubled.
  3. Divide into balls, roll into 1cm-thick circles, and let them sit another hour.
  4. 180°C until golden. They go hard as they cool, so wrap them in a cloth straight out of the oven.

Questions people ask about Arabic Flatbread

How long does Arabic Flatbread take?

About 120 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What can I use instead of yeast in Arabic Flatbread?

Use there is no swap that behaves the same. Use a baking-powder recipe instead of forcing it.

Can I make Arabic Flatbread ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Arabic Flatbread vegetarian?

Yes, and as written it is vegan too. Check your specific brands if that matters to you.

Do I need an oven for Arabic Flatbread?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Arabic Flatbread?

Flatbread, and a sharp salad to cut the richness. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

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