Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread)

Enjoy this down-to-earth, fluffy flatbread with your favorite hummus or another savory dip.

Turkish Flatbread (Bazlama) - foodfaithfitness

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Have you ever considered how many different kinds of flatbread there are? All around the world, different cultures have come up with a wide range of flatbreads—each with its own little twist or variation.

This Turkish flatbread called bazlama, for example, was traditionally cooked in an outdoor oven. Its puffy texture and subtly sweet flavor are similar to pita bread. Tasty and easy to prepare, this Turkish flatbread recipe is sure to be a favorite among novice and professional chefs alike.

You can cut this bazlama into strips and serve with dips like hummus or peanut butter. My friends and I have even made flatbread into personal pizzas topped with red sauce and mozzarella. Whatever your fancy, Turkish flatbread can make a phenomenal addition to your next dining adventure.

Is Bazlama Healthy?

Of course, this flatbread is a carb-heavy recipe, though each serving does contain a fair amount of protein, thanks to the Greek yogurt. The sodium may be a little high for some, so feel free to dial it down if needed. For a vegan variation, you can substitute plant-based Greek yogurt, and to enhance the bread’s nutrient content, you can opt to use whole-wheat flour (though this will create a slightly denser end result).

What Makes Bazlama Special?

Despite often being referred to as a ‘flatbread’, this Turkish specialty actually uses yeast as a leavening agent. This, combined with the Greek yogurt, leads to a thick flatbread that pulls apart easily and is ideal for dipping in sauces. In Turkey, thicker bazlama are often cut in half and used to make sandwiches. Although this modernized recipe calls for a simple pan-frying cooking method, this Turkish flatbread was traditionally cooked on a type of pan called a saç. This pan looks like an upside-down wok and gives traditional Turkish flatbread its slightly curved shape.

FAQs & Tips

How Do I Store Leftovers?

Once cooled to room temperature, cover the flatbread in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. I don’t recommend storing your leftovers in the fridge, as this will quickly dry them out.

Can I Prep This Ahead?

Yes! The beauty of Turkish flatbread dough is that once it rises for the first time, you can split the dough into 8 equal parts and then cover these in plastic wrap. You can refrigerate dough using this method for up to 24 hours. Make sure to let refrigerated dough sit out and reach room temperature before rolling and cooking. This helps ensure the dough maintains the right texture.

How Does Yeast Work?

Yeast is a powerful little microorganism that eats the sugar in dough to produce carbon dioxide. As a result of this process, the dough expands with air pockets and rises beautifully. This ultimately leads to the light and airy texture of the baked dough.

Serving Suggestions

For a tasty appetizer or snack, consider serving your Turkish flatbread with Black Bean Hummus or Tahini Sauce. As part of a larger meal, Turkish flatbread could pair nicely with dishes like Red Lentil Soup, Turmeric Rice, Turkish Kebab, Mediterranean Cucumber Salad, or Curry Noodles. As you can see, there are plenty of options suitable for a wide range of different diets.