32 International Flatbread Recipes For Quick And Easy Meals
Travel the world from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Have you seen flatbreads on some of your favorite restaurant menus and wondered what the deal is? You’re not alone. Does it mean leavened or unleavened bread? Is it basically just pizza? Have we Americanized this so much that it kind of means nothing? Basically, yes. But in losing its original definition (unleavened bread), it now kind of refers to any bread you can pile ingredients in or on, and we’re not mad about that! Flatbreads can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, and make for a great lunch or weeknight dinner. Check out our 32 flatbread recipes—they might not all be perfectly authentic, but they are all delicious.
Let’s start with the basics. Flatbreads have been around for hundreds of years, and many cultures have their own version. South Asia has naan, the Mediterranean has pita, Italy has focaccia, Mexico has corn and flour tortillas, Jewish cultures have matzo, Central America has pupusas… You could just enjoy them on their own, but they’re even better once you’ve topped them or stuffed them with sweet and savory toppings. Try our sabich sandwich, our chicken shawarma, our tostadas, our chocolate toffee matzo, or our lamb gyro for ideas, but the sky’s really the limit when it comes to fillings.
As we mentioned before, the line between pizza and flatbread is nearly non-existent nowadays (as evidenced by the confusing yet oft-used term “flatbread pizza”). We’ve included a few of our favorite basic pizza recipes, like our pan pizza or our white pizza (no red sauce!), so you can add your own toppings. Check out our shrimp scampi flatbread, our oven-dried tomato flatbread, or our cheesy spinach pesto flatbread for flavor ideas, but feel free to get creative.
Want more easy meal inspiration? Check out our favorite lunch or dinner sandwiches, and our top healthy dinner salads too.
Lamb Gyro
Pronounced YEE-roh or ZHEE-roh (it rhymes with hero), these flatbread sandwiches are packed with delicious spiced lamb, crunchy fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and a tangy herb-and-cucumber yogurt tzatziki sauce.
Get the Lamb Gyro recipe.
Roasted Vegetable Baked Falafel Sandwiches
Although these shortcut falafel aren’t as crispy as the classic fried variety, they develop a nice golden crust and contain all the key spices. A zippy roasted pepper salad is the perfect foil inside a pita pocket, and creamy tahini sauce (aka tarator sauce) ties it all together.
Flatbread Pizza
Homemade pizza is super-delicious, but it takes a bit of time and special attention. These flatbread pizzas come together MUCH faster, and they're just as cheesy and flavorful as the classic version. 😍
Get the Flatbread Pizza recipe.
Sabich Sandwich
This hearty vegetarian dish is based on a traditional Iraqi breakfast, and is popular among Iraqi-Israelis too. With flavorful seared and marinated eggplant slices, fresh cucumber salad, and creamy tahini sauce, this juicy sandwich is great for any meal.
Get the Sabich Sandwich recipe.
Best-Ever Mexican Tostadas
Tostada shells can be tricky to find, but we prefer to make our own anyway! Hot and fresh, there's so much more flavor. All that said, these insanely creamy beans + quick pickled onions would taste amazing on anything, including packaged tostada shells. 😉
Get the Best-Ever Mexican Tostadas recipe.
Homemade Naan
Naan is a traditional South Asian flatbread that is usually cooked in a tandoor oven. The yogurt-based bread quickly bubbles up and yields a soft bread with slightly crisp edges. It's perfect for soaking up all of that extra sauce from chicken tikka masala or served as an appetizer along with garlic hummus or any of your favorite dips.
Get the Homemade Naan recipe.
Homemade Corn Tortillas
Everything—tacos, grilled chicken, roasted veggies—tastes better with freshly made, warm, soft, and chewy Mexican tortillas. It's so easy to make them, you won't believe it. After a little practice, you'll be a master tortillero in no time!
Get the Homemade Corn Tortillas recipe.
Oven-Dried Tomato Flatbread
Found at the elegant California Grill on top of the Contemporary Resort in Florida , this simple flatbread proves Disney can do casual fine dining too.
Get the Oven-Dried Tomato Flatbread recipe.
Best-Ever Pupusas
Pupusas are an easy flatbread made from masa harina that get stuffed with cheese, refried beans, or both! We pair them with a traditional cabbage slaw called curtido that we think is perfect—pile it on top and eat them all together like a tostada.
Get the Best-Ever Pupusas recipe.
Cheesy Spinach Pesto Flatbread
In a hurry? Use store-bought naan to make a super quick meal. Top it with pesto and mozzarella with a little shake of red pepper flakes to heat things up!
Homemade Pita
Pita bread (also known as Arabic bread and Syrian bread) is a yeast-leavened flatbread common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. It can be made with or without an interior pocket. Regardless of which route you take, the filling possibilities are endless—falafel, sabich, shawarma, chicken souvlaki...
Get the Homemade Pita recipe.
Fattoush
Fattoush is a very fresh and bright Lebanese salad featuring toasted pita bread, mixed greens, and crunchy veggies (kind of like panzanella, but with pita instead of bread). The best way to mix fattoush is with your hands, so don't be afraid to really get in there!
Get the Fattoush recipe.
Homemade Pizza
Nothing beats a fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza, and once you see how easy it is to make for yourself, you'll never order delivery again. Switch up the toppings and add your favorites to make it your own. Pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, pineapple?
Get the Homemade Pizza recipe.
Chicken Shawarma Wrap
Shawarma refers to the Middle Eastern method cooking where thin slices of meat are stacked on a vertical rotating spit in front of a fire or other heat source. The outside meat is slowly cooked and then shaved off to serve. Our version varies a little by being baked in the oven, but still mimics the traditional tender, juicy, and well-spiced meat.
Get the Chicken Shawarma recipe.
Best-Ever Focaccia
This focaccia is totally classic, topped with fresh rosemary leaves and crunchy sea salt. It’s perfectly crispy-toasty on the outside and super soft-fluffy inside. Learn how to conquer this Italian classic with our few easy-to-follow tips.
Get the Best-Ever Focaccia recipe.
Chocolate Toffee Matzo
Matzo is a traditional Jewish unleavened flatbread that is a big part of Passover traditions. Eating it for its own sake isn't the most yummy though, so why not turn it into toffee!? Want even more matzo? Try our matzo icebox cake or matzo ball soup too.
Get the Chocolate Toffee Matzo recipe.
Homemade Falafel
Although nothing's faster than picking up a sandwich from your favorite falafel joint, we promise that making these falafel balls at home is a cinch. These are herby and savory, and the crispy outside give ways to a perfectly tender and spicy interior. They're perfect tucked eaten on their own, or tucked into pitas.
Get the Homemade Falafel recipe.
Shrimp Scampi Flatbread
This easy shrimp scampi-inspired weeknight dinner doubles as an amazing app too. Pair with a glass of white wine or a summery cocktail for the best happy hour ever.
Get the Shrimp Scampi Flatbread recipe.
Low-Carb Flatbread
This low-carb flatbread is only 3 simple ingredients—almond flour, coconut milk, and arrowroot powder—and is versatile enough for pilling on all your favorite toppings. Turn it into chicken fajitas, avocado toast, or spread it with some almond butter and honey for a little treat. It's as easy as can be!
Get the Low-Carb Flatbread recipe.
Grilled Eggplant And Zucchini Sabich Pita
With grilled eggplant, zucchini, homemade cucumber salad, a hard-boiled eggs, and a spicy yogurt sauce, these pita sandwiches are great for breakfast or lunch!
Coconut Lime Shrimp Bowls
Honey-Glazed Pork Chops With Mango Salsa
30 Side Dishes For Pork Chops
33 Easy Mother's Day Dinner Ideas
