Easy Rustic Sourdough Flatbread Recipe

Easy Homemade, No-Fuss Rustic Sourdough Flatbread Recipe with Sourdough Discard or a Mature Starter.

You can transform your sourdough discard or mature active starter into tangy, silky smooth, and chewy sourdough flatbreads with this foolproof recipe.

With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of planning, making homemade sourdough flatbread couldn't be easier.

Use them to make wraps, and sandwiches, or simply dip them into Mutabal (Roasted Eggplant Dip), or enjoy them with a bowl of Chicken and Dumpling Soup or Sulu Kofte - Turkish Meatball Soup!

Jump to:

• What is Sourdough?
• Sample Schedule for Sourdough Flatbread
• Why This Recipe Works?
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Make Easy Rustic Sourdough Flatbread?
• Top Tips From the Chef
• What to Serve With Rustic Sourdough Flatbread?
• Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Easy Rustic Sourdough Flatbread Recipe

I enjoy baking with sourdough, and some of my favorite sourdough recipes are Homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls, Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread, and Black Pepper Sourdough Focaccia.

These rustic sourdough flatbreads are very similar to Garlic Naan - Indian Flatbread and Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread), but with an extra tanginess and depth of flavor thanks to the sourdough starter.

What is Sourdough?

Sourdough bread is a special kind of bread created through a natural fermentation process.

It all begins with a "starter" or "leaven," made by mixing flour and water, which captures wild yeast and friendly bacteria from our surroundings.

These natural microorganisms are present in the flour and the air around us.

Over time, the starter becomes a lively mixture filled with lactic acid bacteria and wild yeast.

Sourdough bread has a unique flavor, chewy texture, and crispy crust.

The long fermentation makes it easier to digest and may have health benefits.

Sample Schedule for Sourdough Flatbread

By following this sample schedule, you can easily start making your sourdough flatbread at midday and have it ready to serve by dinnertime.

The day before you plan to make this recipe, in the morning, feed your sourdough starter to activate it.

If you're using sourdough discard, you can skip this step.

• 12:00 PM - Mix together the active sourdough starter, flour, salt, baking powder, water, melted butter, and yogurt in a large bowl. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover and allow it to rest until it doubles in size.

• 4:00 PM - Divide the dough into 6 equal balls on a lightly floured surface, and let them rest for an additional 15 to 20 minutes. This step is necessary to make the rolling out easier.

• 4:30 PM - Shape the dough balls into your desired thickness and cook them on medium heat on a hot nonstick pan or a skillet for 1-2 minutes.

Why This Recipe Works?

• Using a sourdough starter enhances the flavor and texture of the final product.

• Resting the dough at different stages develops gluten, improves the texture, and makes the rolling-out process easier.

• Cooking the flatbreads on a hot pan ensures a crispy exterior and even cooking, resulting in golden brown spots and a delightful texture.

• The recipe allows you to shape the flatbreads according to your preferences, adjusting their thickness and size to suit your taste.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Sourdough starter - You have the option to use either an active starter or sourdough discard in this recipe. An active starter should be bubbly and fed 4-12 hours before starting. On the other hand, unfed sourdough discard is a fantastic choice for making these sourdough discard flatbreads.

• All-purpose white flour - It helps the bread to become softer and fluffier. However, if you have strong bread flour on hand, you can use that as well.

• Plain Greek yogurt or natural yogurt - Yogurt is a great way to add a tangy & rich flavor while adding some softness to the dough.

• Baking powder - It gives the sourdough flatbread some extra rise and softness.

• Salt - It is an essential ingredient in a sourdough bread recipe, as salt adds flavor, regulates fermentation, strengthens gluten, and improves texture and crust.

• Butter - Melted butter adds richness, moisture, and a delightful buttery flavor to this rustic sourdough flatbread recipe. It contributes to a softer texture and enhances the overall taste of the flatbread.

How to Make Easy Rustic Sourdough Flatbread?

This is a very easy recipe and has very few hands-on steps.

However, there are a few key steps you'll need to follow to ensure that your flatbreads turn out soft, chewy, and full of flavor:

Prepare the Dough

To get your sourdough starter ready for flatbread, activate it 12 hours before you plan to start making the recipe.

Alternatively, you can use sourdough discard (unfed sourdough starter) and allow the dough to ferment for a slightly longer period.

Take a large mixing bowl and then mix together the sourdough starter, plain flour, warm water, yogurt, salt, baking powder, and melted butter.

Mix until there are no dry spots. If the dough seems to be too wet, add a tablespoon of flour at a time.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.

Place the dough back in a clean bowl, cover it with a cloth, and then let it ferment at room temperature for a few hours.

It might take a bit longer if you are using sourdough discard or the room is not warm enough.

Shape and Cook the Flatbreads

Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces (approximately 105 grams each), using a scale to ensure they all are the same size.

Place them a few centimeters apart from each other and then lightly sprinkle them with flour.

Cover them with cling film or a clean tea towel and then let them rest for an additional 15-20 minutes.

This step is important to facilitate easier rolling out.

Working with one dough ball at a time, shape them into the desired size with a rolling pin.

I usually make a combination of thin circles with a diameter of 23 cm (9 inches) and thick circles with a diameter of 15 cm (6 inches) for various purposes.

Preheat a cast iron skillet or a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.

Lay one dough circle in the pan and cook for 30 seconds or until it starts forming bubbles then flip it with a tong.

Cook the other side for a few minutes until brown toasted spots appear on the underside.

Flip it again and then continue cooking for a few additional minutes until the other side is cooked.

Repeat this process until you have used up all the dough.

Top Tips From the Chef

• Use an active sourdough starter or sourdough discard to enhance the flavor and texture of the flatbread.

• Allow the dough to rest at various stages to develop gluten and improve texture.

• Use a hot nonstick pan or skillet on high heat to ensure even cooking and achieve a crisp exterior.

• Personalize the sourdough discard flatbread by shaping it to your desired thickness and size.

• Adjust the dough consistency by adding a little flour or water as needed.

• Enjoy the flatbreads fresh and warm for the best taste and texture.

What to Serve With Rustic Sourdough Flatbread?

• Dips and Mezes - Pair your flatbread with delicious dips like Tirokafteri (Spicy Whipped Feta Dip), Muhammara (Red Pepper Dip), or Baba Ganoush. These flavorful spreads complement the rustic texture of the bread.

• Soups and Stews - Dip your flatbread into a warm bowl of soup such as Wild Garlic Soup and Chinese Hot and Sour Chicken Soup, or stew dishes such as Bamya - Turkish Okra Stew and Tas Kebabi - Turkish Beef Stew for a comforting and satisfying meal. It's a great way to soak up the flavors and add a hearty element to your dishes.

• Salads - Use your flatbread as a base for a refreshing salad, such as the Lebanese Fattoush Salad or for making Chicken and Eggplant Fatteh. Tear it into pieces and toss it with fresh greens and vegetables to create a delicious and vibrant combination.

• Grilled Meats and Vegetables - Pair your flatbread with grilled meats such as Adana Kebab (Adana Kofte), Chicken Kofta, Homemade Lebanese Chicken Shawarma, Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs, or vegetables for a flavorful and satisfying meal. Use it as a wrap or alongside grilled items for a delicious combination of flavors.

• Breakfast and Brunch - Toast or grill your flatbread and serve it with Cilbir - Turkish Poached Eggs, avocado, smoked salmon, or other breakfast favorites such as Menemen - Turkish Scrambled Eggs. It's a versatile option for a delicious start to your day.

Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

To store the leftover sourdough flatbread, allow it to cool completely, and then place it in an airtight container or a zip-top bag.

It can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days, refrigerated for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.

Before consuming, you can gently reheat it in a toaster, oven, or skillet for a few minutes to regain its freshness.

To make ahead, you can prepare the flatbread dough in advance.

After shaping the dough balls, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to cook, bring the dough to room temperature, and then proceed with the cooking instructions.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious flatbread recipes why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this chewy and tangy Easy Rustic Sourdough Flatbread Recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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