Flatbread in the Air Fryer
Flatbread usually means a hot dry pan and a lot of patience, one round at a time. Air fryer flatbread needs only self-raising flour and yoghurt, no yeast and no proving, and the dough bakes in 4–5 minutes at 180 °C. You get four soft, lightly puffed breads that are ready for wraps, dips or a quick pizza.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 25min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 180kcal
Why the air fryer works for flatbread
Making air fryer flatbread is easier than in a dry frying pan, where each round needs turning and watching. The hot air puffs the dough and browns it in patches, and the basket holds two at a time. The dough itself is only self-raising flour and yoghurt, which the baking powder in the flour lifts without yeast or proving, so you can go from bowl to table in about half an hour.
The texture is soft and slightly chewy rather than blistered like a naan from a tandoor, which makes it a good wrapper for kebabs, falafel or hummus. A basket takes rounds of about 16 cm, so roll to fit. The same method also warms shop-bought flatbread, and you can make flatbread in air fryer baskets for a quick garlic version or a pizza base.
How to make flatbread in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the dough Stir the flour and salt together in a bowl, then add the yoghurt. Mix with a fork, then with your hands, until it forms a soft dough. If it is sticky, add a little more flour a teaspoon at a time.
- Knead and rest Knead on a floured surface for until smooth, then cover and leave for . This relaxes the dough and makes it easier to roll.
- Shape Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a thin round about 3 mm thick and about 16 cm across, so that one or two fit in your basket. Brush the tops lightly with oil.
- Preheat and cook Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . Cook the flatbreads one or two at a time, oiled side up, for , then turn over and cook for more, until puffed and golden in patches.
- Keep warm Wrap the cooked flatbreads in a clean tea towel to keep them soft while you cook the rest. Serve warm.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Flatbread | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade flatbread, 3 mmTurn halfway | 180 °C | 4–5 min |
| Shop-bought flatbreadBrush with oil | 180 °C | 1–3 min |
| Frozen flatbreadNo need to defrost | 180 °C | 3–4 min |
| Flatbread pizzaCheese on top | 180 °C | 4–6 min |
| Garlic flatbreadBrush with garlic butter | 180 °C | 3–4 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: Baking paper and foil in an air fryer
Tips
- Roll evenly. Aim for 3 mm all over. Thick patches stay doughy and thin edges turn crisp.
- Brush with oil. A thin film stops the surface drying out and gives it a gentle golden colour.
- Cook in batches. Two flatbreads side by side without touching is the most a standard basket can manage, so keep the cooked ones wrapped in a tea towel.
Serving
Use the flatbreads for wraps with chicken strips or falafel, or tear them up for dipping into hummus. For a quick supper, top them with pepperoni and cheese or roasted vegetables such as peppers. Warm flatbread is also very good next to a curry or a bowl of soup.
Storing and reheating
Keep cooked flatbreads in a sealed bag for 2 days, or freeze them with baking paper between each for up to 2 months. To reheat, put them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 1–2 minutes, until warm and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). If they feel dry, sprinkle a few drops of water over them first.
Variations
- Garlic flatbread: Mix 20 g melted butter with 1 crushed garlic clove and brush it over the flatbread for the last minute of cooking. Sprinkle with parsley.
- Flatbread pizza: Spread 2 tbsp passata over a cooked flatbread, add grated mozzarella and toppings, and cook at 180 °C for 4–6 minutes.
- Seeded flatbread: Knead 1 tbsp sesame or nigella seeds into the dough for extra flavour and crunch.
Troubleshooting
- The flatbreads are hard and dry
- They were rolled too thin or cooked too long. Aim for 3 mm and check at 4 minutes. Wrapping them in a tea towel straight away keeps them soft.
- The dough is sticky
- Yoghurt varies in thickness. Use a thick Greek-style yoghurt and add flour a teaspoon at a time until the dough just stops sticking to your hands.
- The flatbreads do not puff
- Old self-raising flour loses its power. Use a fresh packet, roll the dough no thinner than 3 mm and make sure the air fryer is properly preheated.
Frequently asked questions
How long does flatbread take in an air fryer?
Homemade flatbread takes 4–5 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway. Shop-bought flatbreads need only 1–3 minutes, depending on thickness.
Can you make air fryer flatbread without yoghurt or yeast?
Yes, this recipe uses no yeast. Without yoghurt you can use 150 ml of milk and 1 tbsp oil with 200 g self-raising flour, but the texture will be slightly drier.
Can you reheat flatbread in an air fryer?
Yes. Heat flatbread at 160 °C for 1–2 minutes, until warm and steaming hot all the way through (75 °C), and sprinkle with a few drops of water if it feels dry.
Can you make flatbread pizza in an air fryer?
Yes. Top a flatbread with passata, mozzarella and toppings and cook at 180 °C for 4–6 minutes. Pre-cook the bread for 2 minutes first if the topping is wet.
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