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This Quick and Easy 3-Ingredient Unleavened Bread Recipe requires just three simple ingredients! Last year, we decided to do a Nativity dinner with our children to help us remember Jesus Christ at Christmas, and Easter and this Unleavened Bread Recipe quickly became a favorite among the kids.
When planning the dinner, I researched foods that might have been typical in Jerusalem during the time of Christ’s birth, particularly around the Passover week. I aimed to create a meal that closely resembled what people would have eaten during that time, and this recipe fit perfectly!
Table of Contents
- Complete Nativity Dinner Menu:
- What Ingredients Do I Need to Make Unleavened Bread?
- How to Make Unleavened Bread
- Is Pita Unleavened?
- Are Tortillas Unleavened Bread?
- Can You Bake This Bread Instead of Frying?
- Is This Recipe Healthy?
- How Long Will Unleavened Bread Keep?
- Can Unleavened Bread Be Frozen?
- Other Bread Side Dishes to Try:
- How to Make Unleavened Bread
- Quick & Easy Unleavened Bread Recipe
Unleavened bread was one food that kept coming up in my research. It was simple and would go perfectly with the other recipes I had planned, like our easy homemade hummus.
Complete Nativity Dinner Menu:
- Jerusalem Herb Chicken Thighs
- Hummus
- Wild Rice
- Naan
- Roasted Pear Salad
- Creamy Garlic Brussel Sprouts
- Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies
What Ingredients Do I Need to Make Unleavened Bread?
You only need three ingredients for this recipe—well, technically just two if you don’t count water, which I don’t really consider an ingredient!
- All Purpose Flour
- Salt
- Water
There’s really no reason not to make this bread! With all the ingredients on hand and no rising time required, it couldn’t be easier!
How to Make Unleavened Bread
You thought the ingredient list was simple? Wait until you see just how easy it is to whip this up! Ready? Let’s dive in!
- Combine the flour and salt in a bowl and stir together.
- Add the water and stir until the dough forms a cohesive ball.
- Knead the dough for 5 minutes. And before you groan about kneading, remember—it builds both muscle and character!
- Preheat your skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Then, divide the dough into 5 to 7 balls, depending on how large you’d like your pieces of bread to be.
- Roll out each piece of dough on a lightly floured surface until it’s approximately 6 inches in diameter.
- Cook each piece on a hot skillet for about 2 minutes on each side.
- Serve hot, and for an extra special touch, brush on a bit of melted butter or olive oil and sprinkle with fresh herbs. I like to choose the herb based on what I’m serving it with; parsley is a classic choice, but cilantro adds a nice twist too!
Is Pita Unleavened?
No, although pita is a type of flatbread, it is not considered unleavened bread. Pita bread is typically made with yeast, which acts as a leavening agent, causing the dough to rise and creating a pocket in the bread when baked. This puffing effect is what distinguishes pita from unleavened breads, which do not use any leavening agents and remain flat, such as matzo or tortillas. While some recipes for pita may use baking powder as a leavening agent for quicker preparation, the traditional version relies on yeast.
Are Tortillas Unleavened Bread?
Yes! Tortilla recipes do not use a leavening agent so they are considered unleavened. However, unlike this recipe, tortillas typically incorporate fat, like lard or oil, into the dough, which makes them softer and more pliable—just like our easy homemade tortillas!
Can You Bake This Bread Instead of Frying?
Yes! Place the rolled-out dough in one layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The oven should be at 400 degrees and they will bake for about 3 minutes on each side.
Is This Recipe Healthy?
Unleavened bread can be a healthy choice, depending on its ingredients and how it fits into your overall diet. Made without yeast or other leavening agents, unleavened bread is often simple and straightforward, typically containing just flour and water. This can make it a low-calorie option, especially when compared to breads made with added sugars and fats. Unleavened bread is low in fat and calories but high in carbs. It depends on what you are looking to cut or reduce in your diet, but as with all things, balance is key! Additionally, considering the type of flour used is important; whole-grain options will offer more fiber and nutrients.
How Long Will Unleavened Bread Keep?
Unleavened bread is best enjoyed fresh! However, if you have leftovers, store it at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.
Can Unleavened Bread Be Frozen?
Unleavened can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you are ready to eat it, just set it on the counter and let it come to room temperature.
This unleavened bread is incredibly simple and a fantastic way to add a delicious side dish with minimal effort! Consider hosting a Nativity dinner with your family this year, or simply whip up this bread to pair perfectly with your favorite dip or soup.
Other Bread Side Dishes to Try:
- Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Bread
- Homemade Baguette Recipe
- Garlic Cheese Bread
- Easy Herbed Peasant Bread
- White Bread
- Garlic Cheddar Herb Irish Soda Bread
- No Knead Artisan Bread
- Pao De Queijo Brazilian Cheese Bread
How to Make Unleavened Bread
Quick & Easy Unleavened Bread
Instructions
- Combine salt and flour together in a bowl. Stir in the water until the dough comes together in a ball. Knead for 5 minutes.2 Cups Flour, 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 1 Cup Water
- Pre-heat skillet over medium-low heat.
- Pinch off 5-7 pieces of dough and form into small balls. Roll out each piece on a lightly floured surface about 6” each
- Cook on a hot skillet for 2 minutes on each side. Serve or store covered.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
day, while trying to recoup from an injured herniated back, all I wanted was some home made soup..so I went to the fridge/freezer and found frozen pot roast and started the slow cooker and started adding things…box and a half of beef broth, bits and pieces of tomato I had been saving ,green onions white pieces, bell pepper and sweet peppers., mushrooms, carrots, celery , some macaroni from last night and kale..and let it do it thing for several hours ….while it was cooking, i kept thinking…make unleavened bread to go with it..over and over and over again…so I finally gave in and made the bread.. I had saved your recipe and made it…when the soup was done and ready to eat, I sat down and the bread and soup were just exactly what I needed to make me feel better.,…so I guess my Guardian Angel kept telling me to make your recipe…and it won’t be the last time I make it..so easy and quick and very tasty with all sorts of dishes…..thank you for the recipe and I enjoyed every bite…God Bless and be safe….
Thank you so much! I’m so glad it helped you feel better and moved you along the road to the recovery! Take care!
Is it okay if it puffs up?
Yes. Little pockets of air can get into the dough and cause it to puff up. I usually try and pop them so they can cook more evenly.
Has anyone tried the baking method? Mine came out kind of rubbery, did I knead too long? Too much flour? What went wrong? 🙁
Hi Katie! Did you use all purpose flour? If anything, maybe you didn’t knead long enough. So sorry for the frustration!
If I add lard or olive oil would it be considered unleavened?
Thank you so much.
Yes! As long as you don’t add a leavening agent like baking powder or soda.
fast and easy yum
Thanks Kathryn!
Sweet Basil, your reply (10/11/23) is spot on! An annual reminder, no matter the date and minus the retail option is a fine way to bring one back to the the birth of Christ Jesus and the miracle it was, and is.
Thank you so much Paige!
Right on Isaac! The feasts of Yahuah are the feasts He establishe & He and His angels have been keeping them since creation. And Yahusha (Yeshua) was born on Shavuot (Pentecost) not Dec, 25. That is the day all the pagan gods were ‘born’. Wake up church. Read Deuteronomy 12:29-32. It is an abomination to Yahuah (the LORD -translators replace His Name with a non-name 6828 times in OT.) Be a ‘Berean’, church – study to show yourselves approved rightly dividing the Word of Truth! May AviYah lead you into His Truth.
If you did your research right then you would stop celebrating Christmas immediately unless you and your family really enjoy demonic practice and worship. No point in you pretending to be Christ like when it’s obvious by now that Jesus didn’t celebrate Christmas, a fake Roman Catholic pagan holiday. He wasn’t born on that day start looking into sukkot if you really wanted to celebrate Christ the way he wanted us to.
I don’t mean to come off so strong but Yeshua wouldn’t be pleased that we’ve all fallen for the lie of Christmas if we want to know Christ then not mistaking his birthday for the 25th of December is a start
Hello Isaac! Thank you so much for sharing your opinion! The wonderful thing is that we all can choose how, when and if we worship and celebrate Christ’s birth. We definitely don’t believe that Jesus Christ was born on December 25th, but we do believe in celebrating His humble and sacred birth. We love honoring Mary and her role as a “chosen vessel” in bringing the Savior to the world. We love remembering Joseph and his loyalty and devotion to Mary though circumstances were hard and unconventional for the time. We love pondering the wise men and the long journey to worship the Christ child…the One they had read about and had waited for their whole life. We love reverencing the shepherds and their immediate action to go and find Him. While the date on the calendar might not be His actual birthday, we look forward to and celebrate the Christmas season with all our hearts. We know that He did indeed come to earth and that He was perfect. We know that His life, teachings, mission and Atonement are all central to the Father’s plan for us, His children. We are so grateful for Christmas time and the way it turns the attention of much of the world just a little more to Him and to loving and serving each other a little better. That is how we believe He would want us to live.
Right on Isaac! The feasts of Yahuah are the feasts He establishe & He and His angels have been keeping them since creation. And Yahusha (Yeshua) was born on Shavuot (Pentecost) not Dec, 25. That is the day all the pagan gods were ‘born’. Wake up church. Read Deuteronomy 12:29-32. It is an abomination to Yahuah (the LORD -translators replace His Name with a non-name 6828 times in OT.) Be a ‘Berean’, church – study to show yourselves approved rightly dividing the Word of Truth! May AviYah lead you into His Truth.
Oh wow!! I love how you made it impact on your church! This is such a beautiful way to honor our Savior and our bellies! You inspire me to want to do a service like this for my church. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much Audrey!
I can’t wait to try out this recipe 😋
Thank Yvonne!! Let us know what you think!
Love this recipe!!
I make the bread for communion at our church! This is the recipe that I use, it’s been such a blessing and it is well loved by our church members!!
This makes my day Angela! To think that one of our recipes is being used to remember our Savior makes me the happiest! Thanks for taking time to leave a comment!
Mine did not come out so well. Did 2 c flour + 2 T- ground my own. Seems the 1 c water cold (put in 1 sm ice cube) was way too much. Had to keep adding flour as it was too gummy with which to even work it. Did grind barley instead of store bought white flour. Shouldn’t have made a difference. Maybe l overworked it and l’m sure close to 1 additional cup was added. To make it workable.
Unleavened bread recipie is absolutely amazeing.all your recipies ROCK.LOL I LOVE YOUR APP.THANK YOU SO MUCH.5 STARZ ALWAYS
Thank you so much!
I’m going to make this for our communion. In our Bible study group next Tuesday! Can’t wait.
Yay! Let us know how it goes Erica!