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How to Make Unleavened Bread – This traditional flatbread recipe is made in just 20 minutes with 4 simple ingredients, no yeast needed! The bread bakes up crisp, flavorful, and perfect for communion or to enjoy as tasty snack crackers.
What is Unleavened Bread? (And why should you make it?)
Unleavened bread is any sort of bread that is made without ingredients used for rising, such as yeast. That means, any sort of naan, flatbread, or tortillas you have ever made/eaten, not containing leavening agents, are technically unleavened bread.
Unleavened bread is most commonly thought of for consuming during certain spiritual practices such as communion, passover, and other religious festivals. However, you can make this unleavened bread recipe for many reasons…
Cut into small pieces for communion (homemade communion crackers or wafers), to serve to friends and family at religious celebrations, to use as a simple flatbread for pizzas and wraps, or even as crackers for charcuterie boards! And baking the unleavened bread just a few minutes longer makes the most amazing crackers.
Here I’m showing you how to make it in whole pieces and in small pieces for communion crackers. The baking time will be the same either way. If you would like to make snack crackers, add 2-4 additional minutes in the oven.
4 Ingredients You Need
- Flour – all-purpose flour is best for light and crisp bread
- Milk – slightly warm to activate the gluten, but not hot
- Olive oil – you are really able to taste the EVOO so use a good quality oil
- Salt – to season the dough and give the unleavened bread flavor
How to Make Communion Bread
Preheat the oven to 475°F. Then set out a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Set out a large mixing bowl. Combine the flour, warm milk, olive oil and salt.
Mix by hand until the dough comes together into a firm ball.
Then knead the dough for several minutes until it is completely smooth.
Get the Complete (Printable) Unleavened Bread Recipe + Video Below. Enjoy!
Separate the dough into as many pieces as desired.
Note: This communion bread recipe will make 4 tortilla-sized pieces, 2 larger pieces, or 1 extra large pizza-sized piece.) Roll out the dough pieces into extremely thin rounds. You still need to be able to move the dough onto the parchment paper, but the thinner the better.
If making communion bread pieces or snack crackers, use a pizza cutter to cut the circles into small half-inch squares.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the bread is golden brown and slightly bubbly on top. If making snack crackers, bake for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp.
Recipe Variations
- Gluten-free – use your preferred gluten-free flour replacement
- Dairy-free and Vegan – swap cow milk with a plant-based alternative, or simply use water
- Oil – the taste and texture will be different, but you can substitute olive oil for melted butter or vegetable oil
- Spices – consider adding a little cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or dried herbs over the top
Serving Suggestions
This recipe for unleavened flat bread is terrific for making communion wafers, snack crackers, flatbread pizza crust, and softer flatbread.
Remember, the longer the bread is in the oven the more crisp it will become. So remove it promptly when it has baked to the “doneness” you want.
The crisp crackers are right at home on a charcuterie board with Giardiniera Pickled Vegetables and Homemade Cheese Spread, or alongside flavorful dips! Use them to scoop up rich and creamy favorites like Avocado Hummus or Clam, Florida-Style Smoked Fish, Smoked Salmon, Smoked Cheese, Buffalo Chicken, and fresh Dill dip.
For a slightly softer bread, I suggest baking for only up to 8 minutes. Then it’s great to enjoy like pita bread with Mediterranean Fattoush Salad, Beef Kafta Kebab, and Zesty Greek Chicken. Serve as a rustic naan-like flatbread with saucy dishes like Lamb or Paneer Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, and Chicken Madras Curry.
Or use it as a base for Lamb Gyros, Shawarma Chicken, Chicken Wrap or Veggie Hummus Wrap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is unleavened bread soft?
If you bake the bread until it is *just* cooked then yes, it will be on the softer side. Not quite as soft as naan, mind you, but softer than crunchy crackers.
Is unleavened bread good for you?
Unleavened bread has historically been considered safer and healthier than bread containing yeast. Although this is arguable in our day and age, this simple bread made of only flour, warm milk or water, olive oil, and salt, is no doubt a cleaner bread variety than most that you would buy.
How long does unleavened bread last?
Let the bread cool before transferring to an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for 4 days.
Can unleavened bread be frozen?
Yes, it freezes very well! Once the bread has cooled transfer it to an airtight plastic zipper bag. If stacking, I suggest sticking pieces of parchment between the pieces. Squeeze all of the air out and seal the bag before storing it in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or on the countertop for an hour or so.
Looking for More Easy Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Keto Almond Flour Crackers
- Copycat Homemade Schlotzsky’s Sourdough Bread
- Corn Pone (Hot Water Cornbread Recipe)
- Low Carb Tortillas (Keto!)
- Fresh Socca Recipe (Farinata)
Easy Unleavened Bread (Communion Bread Recipe) + Video
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
This traditional unleavened bread recipe is made in just 20 minutes with 4 simple ingredients, no yeast needed! The flatbread bakes up crisp, flavorful and perfect for communion or to enjoy as snack crackers.
Servings: 4 pieces
Ingredients
US Customary – Metric
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup warm milk or warm water
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 475°F. Then set out a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Set out a large mixing bowl. Combine the flour, warm milk, olive oil, and salt. Mix by hand until the dough comes together into a firm ball. Then knead the dough for several minutes until it is completely smooth.
Separate the dough into as many pieces as desired. (This recipe will make 4 tortilla-sized pieces, 2 larger pieces, or 1 extra large pizza-sized piece.) Roll out the dough pieces into extremely thin rounds. You still need to be able to move the dough onto the parchment paper, but the thinner the better.
If making communion bread pieces, use a pizza cutter to cut the circles into small half inch squares. (see images)
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the bread is golden brown and slightly bubbly on top. It's making snack crackers, bake for 10 to 12 minutes until crisp.
Video
Notes
This recipe will make 4 tortilla-sized pieces, 2 larger pieces, or 1 extra large pizza-sized piece.) Roll out the dough pieces into extremely thin rounds. You still need to be able to move the dough onto the parchment paper, but the thinner the better.
Feel free to season your unleavened bread any way you like! Consider adding a little cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or dried herbs over the top.
Let the bread cool before transferring to an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for 4 days.
To freeze: Once the bread has cooled transfer it to an airtight plastic zipper bag. If stacking, I suggest sticking pieces of parchment between the pieces. Squeeze all of the air out and seal the bag before storing it in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or on the countertop for an hour or so.
Nutrition
Serving: 1pc, Calories: 365kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 594mg, Potassium: 113mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 49IU, Calcium: 47mg, Iron: 3mg
Course: Bread, Holiday
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Author: Sommer Collier
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