Flatbread Recipes: Homemade Bread Alternatives

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted any recipes for this blog so today I’m going to discuss one of my favorite and versatile foods, the flatbread. There are many types of flatbread (also known as tortillas) and they may be leavened or unleavened depending on the cuisine and ingredients used. This variety is useful for creating flatbreads that are tasty and suitable for various ways of eating.

In this post, I’ll share flatbread recipes that are suitable for different diets like keto, paleo, gluten-free, nut-free, etc. There will be something for everyone, guaranteed. Before I continue, however, I must make clear that some of these flatbread recipes will produce flatbread or tortillas of various textures and fold-ability.

For example, the gluten-free version will be more brittle and not fold easily or as well as the einkorn version. Outcomes and textures depend on the flour base used to create the flatbread. The ultimate goal is to create a delicious flatbread and I believe I have with these recipes. I’ll begin the list with my favorite recipe that is easy, all-purpose, and yummy the einkorn tortilla.

Einkorn Tortillas

Einkorn Flour is the most ancient grain of wheat that is non-GMO and has never been hybridized. This means it has less of the proteins (like gluten) found in modern hybridized wheat that cause allergies, intolerances, and inflammatory diseases like celiac.

Einkorn flour is highly nutritious, containing high levels of protein, fiber, vitamins, phosphorus, and iron. Anything made with this wonderful flour comes out a lovely golden yellow due to the high levels of carotenoids found in Einkorn wheat berries. Moreover, flatbread, rolls, and bread come out with a delicate, soft crumb that is absolutely delicious!

This Einkorn Flour Tortilla recipe couldn’t be simpler: All you need is Einkorn flour, vegan spread (or butter), water, and optional salt. You can find the complete recipe here:

Pro-tip: if you don’t have a tortilla press, just cut the zipper off a Ziploc bag and cut down the sides. Place a tortilla ball in between the open sides of the bag and press down in the middle with a bowl. Alternatively, you can use the bowl to press the dough ball between two squares of parchment paper. Voila! Tortillas!

Keto Flatbread

This recipe for keto flatbread is made with my version of the THM Baking Blend. This flatbread is very quick and easy to make because it’s made with a few simple ingredients that are low-carb and won’t wreck your progress. I made this flatbread almost every week of the month when I was exclusively keto and it really saved my diet and my sanity.

To make this quick keto flatbread you’ll need the THM Baking Blend I discuss in my article on low-carb flour substitutes, avocado oil, baking powder, and water. That’s it! Combine these ingredients into a dough, form and roll out four flatbreads, and fry on a medium-hot skillet. You can check out the full recipe and directions here:

Even though it looks fragile, this keto flatbread holds up well with whatever you choose all for only 2 g carbs per serving!

Gluten-Free Tortilla

These days, many people are turning to gluten-free grains, flour, and baked goods. Some people do this out of necessity because they’re gluten-intolerant or they have Celiac disease. Other people are choosing to go gluten-free because they think eating less gluten will be beneficial for their health. Whatever the reason for going gluten-free, it’s essential that people find a suitable all-purpose gluten-free flour.

I sometimes bake and cook for my vegan cousin who’s a fitness trainer and follows a very austere eating regimen. He recently requested gluten-free tortillas and I went on the hunt for a suitable flour. After trial and error with various grain-free flour mixes, I settled upon the King Arthur all-purpose gluten-free flour. This gluten-free flour when used with a bit of xanthan gum, makes tasty breads, scones, cakes, and tortillas.

I ended up creating a gluten-free flatbread for him using King Arthur gluten-free flour with a bit of almond flour. You can see the recipe here:

This gluten-free tortilla does not quite have the same texture as a regular tortilla made with wheat flour, but it holds its own as a vehicle for delicious fillings and toppings.

Paleo Flatbread

The paleo diet is the most stringent way of eating when it comes to bread or anything resembling bread. Paleo encourages the dieter to eat meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and healthy oils; however, processed foods, grains, or sugar are not allowed.

As you can imagine cutting bread out of our diet is very challenging for many of us. Think about it, we eat grains for almost every meal – cereal or toast for breakfast, rice or a wrap for lunch, and pasta or pizza for dinner. Grains are everywhere! These factors made following the paleo diet very difficult for me personally.

As always, I searched for ways to circumvent the no-grain rule and create a palatable bread substitute. I turned to flatbread instead of loaf bread because it’s such an all-purpose food. I can make wraps, quesadillas, and desserts using flatbread as the base. To create my paleo flatbread, I had to use ingredients that were permissible on the diet. I came up with this recipe:

I love the simplicity of this recipe. It’s easy to make with easily available ingredients and it holds up well to any topping.

Flatbread – The Foundation For Delicious Food

I love making flatbread. They are quick and easy to make and I can enjoy them with any meal. Flatbreads are so versatile, they can be used for any course like breakfast burrito wraps, or to sop up stews/curries and even make a savory quesadilla or dessert chocolate roll-up! The possibilities are limited only to your imagination.

I hope I’ve proven with these flatbread recipes that you can still enjoy flatbread and tortillas while on a keto, paleo, or gluten-free diet. Do you like flatbread? What’s, your favorite? Let me know in the comments. Until then: Happy Eating!