Dough that puffs up like a balloon: just flour and water! recept

Name: Dough that puffs up like a balloon: just flour and water!
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: a tip of a teaspoon of sugar; 300 g plain flour; 200 ml hot water; a pinch of salt

Easy to prepare
8 portions
40 minutes

Jan, 19. 12. 2025

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Discover a simple recipe for traditional Arabic bread that, thanks to the pan technique, quickly puffs up into the shape of a soft balloon. Delight family and friends with fresh homemade bread without yeast!

For 8 portions

Ingredients

For 8 flatbreads:

a tip of a teaspoon of sugar
300 g plain flour
200 ml hot water
a pinch of salt

Video tutorial

Preparation procedure

Initial mixing (2 min) Pour 200 ml of really hot water into a bowl, add a pinch of salt and the tip of a teaspoon of sugar. Stir with a whisk.
Dough handling (5 min) Gradually add the flour and fold with a spatula until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead by hand for 3–5 min, until smooth.
Shaping rest (10 min) Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball. Cover them with cling film and let rest for 10 minutes.
Rolling out the rounds (5 min) Take each ball and roll it out with a rolling pin into a circle approximately 20 cm in diameter and 2 mm thick.
Pan-frying (20 min) Heat a non-stick pan with a little oil over medium-high heat. Place a flatbread on the pan; as soon as bubbles start to form, brush it all over with oil using a spoon. Flip and cook the other side until golden (about ~2 min per flatbread). Repeat for all rounds.
Serving Serve warm as a side with hummus, falafel, or simply with butter and herbs.

Total preparation time:

Dough preparation: 10 min
Dough resting: 10 min
Shaping and pan-frying: 20 min
Total: approx. 40 min

Servings:

8 servings (8 flatbreads)

Conclusion

Homemade Arabic bread will delight you with its lightness and versatility. The preparation requires minimal ingredients and time, but the result looks like it came from a professional bakery. Try it for lunch, dinner, or as a great snack – each flatbread puffs up like a balloon and will satisfy even the hungriest!

Recipe video