You can make flatbread at home—here's how
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Bread is slowly starting to re-appear on grocery store shelves across the country, but it still can be tricky to find exactly what you’re looking for. Ditto for yeast, for those times you want to DIY at home. That’s why some people are turning to flatbread to try to meet their sandwich needs—including making it at home.
Flatbread is a good choice because it’s “essentially unleavened bread made without yeast,” Jessica Cording, MS, RD, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety, tells Yahoo Life. And plenty of people are on-board with this trend: Searches for “how to make flatbread” have skyrocketed since early March.
As healthy as you want it to be
Flatbread is a very basic food, with ingredients you can actually find these days, Gina Keatley, a CDN practicing in New York City, tells Yahoo Life. “We're not looking for this bread to rise. That means we can use flour and not have to add any extras,” she says.
Exact health benefits of flatbread can vary depending on the type of flour you use, Cording says (100% whole wheat flour has more fiber than all-purpose flour, for example). Flatbread is also surprisingly versatile. “Making your own flatbread is a great opportunity to experiment with nutrient-rich flours like almond flour, coconut flour, and chickpea flour,” Cording says.
However, Keatley points out that nut-based flours “have a fair amount of fat in them,” which is worth keeping an eye on. That’s why she recommends using whole wheat flour, if you can. “You cannot go wrong with a 100% whole wheat flour,” Keatley says. “If you're gluten-free and cannot do the 100% whole wheat flour, then try sorghum flour or amaranth flour, which has a nutrition profile more like the whole wheat flour.”
Countertop helpers that make flatbread a breeze
Cooking flatbread is easy, especially if you have a flatbread machine: Just combine flour, salt, water, and oil to make dough, press it in the machine, and you’re good to go.
“As with anything, portion matters,” Cording says. “What you put inside or on top of that flatbread will have an impact on how healthful it is as well.” Flatbreads can easily be used to make breakfast or sandwich wraps and quesadillas, but they can also serve as a good base for pizza, Keatley says.
Ready to DIY your own flatbread? These flatbread makers can help.
Kook 8 Inch Cast Iron Tortilla Press
Like your flatbread on the super thin side? Kook’s tortilla press is the way to go. This cast-iron press is designed to help create perfectly even flatbreads. The press comes pre-seasoned with organic flaxseed oil, so you can dive right into making your breads. Unlike other flatbread devices, you’ll need to cook your dough in a pan after you press it—but that way, you can keep a close eye on your bread while it’s cooking.
Brentwood Electric 8-Inch Tortilla Maker
The Brentwood Tortilla Maker allows you to easily crank out fresh tortillas, flatbread, and roti. The machine has heat controls, so you can find the perfect level of crispiness that works for you. An indicator light lets you know when it’s go time, and a sturdy handle helps you tamp down on your bread with ease.
StarBlue Roti Maker
If you prefer larger flatbread, the StarBlue Roti Maker is a great option, serving up 10-inch wraps. This device uses non-stick cooking plates to effortlessly press out flatbread that won’t get stuck to the machine. It’s simple to clean (just use a damp cloth) and stores easily thanks to a cord wrap at the bottom.
Williams-Sonoma Cast Iron Tortilla Press
Williams-Sonoma’s cast iron tortilla press does the work of a ~regular~ tortilla press, with the added bonus of doubling as kitchen decor. This press makes 7-inch tortillas—perfect for smaller wraps and mini thin-crust pizzas. Its heavy plates make it easy to press out your flatbread dough, while the pretty red enameled finish resists odors, stains, and corrosion, so you can keep making tortillas for years to come.
Revel Tortilla Flat Bread Maker
Revel’s sturdy flatbread maker makes it easy to create 8-inch wraps at home. Coated plates help your flatbread slide out easily, and an ergonomic handle will keep your hand comfy while you crank out flatbreads. A built-in cord wrap allows you to easily wind things up and store your machine for next time.
DosaMaker Flatbread and Wrap Maker
DosaMaker’s flatbread maker can do a little of everything: It churns out 9-inch flatbreads, crepes, and tortillas in minutes. The machine’s special closing mechanism lets you achieve a level of thinness that is tough to mimic in a pan. The maker also has a cool swirl pattern that subtly shows up on your breads.
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