Air-Frying Flatbread: Quick, Easy, And Delicious?

Flatbreads are a versatile food that can be used as a base for pizzas, a side dish, or even as sandwich bread. They are typically made in an oven, but can you cook them in an air fryer? The short answer is yes. Air fryer flatbreads are a quick and easy recipe that can be made in about 15 minutes. The flatbreads can be made from scratch using simple ingredients like flour and yogurt, or you can use store-bought flatbreads and warm them up in the air fryer. The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer model, but generally, flatbreads take around 7-10 minutes to cook or warm up in the air fryer.

Air fryer flatbread pizza

Ingredients

• Flatbread
• Pizza sauce or marinara sauce
• Cheese (mozzarella)
• Fresh basil leaves
• Toppings of your choice (such as meat, vegetables, or spices)
• Olive oil or canola oil (optional)
• Garlic powder (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the flatbread in the air fryer basket, ensuring that it fits in a single layer. If it is too large, you may need to cut it into smaller pieces.
• Spread the pizza sauce or marinara sauce onto the flatbread, leaving a small border around the edges.
• Sprinkle dried oregano onto the sauce, if desired.
• Add your chosen toppings, such as shredded mozzarella cheese, meat, or vegetables.
• Air fry the pizza at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4-5 minutes, checking frequently to avoid burning. The pizza is ready when the crust is crispy and golden brown.
• Remove the pizza from the air fryer and slice it, if desired. Top with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.

Note: The cooking time may vary depending on the type of flatbread and air fryer used, as well as the number of toppings. It is recommended to start with less cooking time and adjust as needed. Additionally, flatbreads can puff up in the air fryer, so you may need to place a trivet on top to keep them flat.

Flatbread toppings

Flatbreads are a great way to get creative in the kitchen. They are typically smaller than pizzas and can be topped with a variety of ingredients, from classic pizza toppings to more gourmet options. Here are some ideas for flatbread toppings:

Pizza-style Flatbreads:

• Marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and any other toppings of your choice.
• Olive oil, sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, with a sprinkle of oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni.
• Olive oil, Greek feta, hummus, and extra virgin olive oil.

Appetizer Flatbreads:

• Cut into small pieces and served with dips like hummus or spicy jalapeño.
• Bruschetta.

Side Dish Flatbreads:

• Flatbreads can be served as a side with curries, soups, or stews, similar to naan.
• Flatbreads can also be served with a simple salad, like a Caesar salad, Greek salad, or a chopped salad with salami.

Sandwich-style Flatbreads:

Fill with your favourite sandwich toppings, such as a curried chickpea salad.

Other Topping Ideas:

• Tangy feta, olive tapenade, and fresh basil.
• Goat cheese and balsamic glaze.
• Grilled mushrooms, crème fraîche, and herbs.
• Cheddar cheese and thinly sliced red onion.
• Ratatouille.
• Yogurt and olive oil.

Oven-baked flatbread

If you don't have an air fryer, you can still enjoy delicious, homemade flatbreads by baking them in the oven. This simple recipe requires just a few staple ingredients and is a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

To make the dough, combine Greek yoghurt, all-purpose flour, and baking powder in a large bowl until a sticky dough forms. You can do this with a wooden spoon, and no stand mixer is required. The dough will be slightly sticky, so use floured hands to knead it into a uniform ball. You can do this in the bowl to minimise mess. The dough will go from a ragged texture to a smoother, softer texture as you knead it.

Once your dough is ready, preheat your oven to 350-375°F (175-190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the dough onto the centre of the sheet and use your hands to flatten it evenly into a flatbread shape, approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Brush the top with olive oil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the flatbread is golden brown and cooked through.

If you want to add toppings to your flatbread, such as meats, sauce, or cheese, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (162°C) and bake for an additional 8-12 minutes, or until the ingredients are softened and heated through. You can also use your flatbread as a base for pizza toppings, or serve it as a side with soup, curry, or dips.

Instant Pot flatbread

Flatbreads are a versatile dish that can be used as a base for pizzas, a side dish, or even as sandwich bread. While air fryers are a popular option to cook flatbreads, you can also use an Instant Pot to make soft, pillowy flatbreads such as naan and pita bread.

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups of bread flour or all-purpose flour
• Milk
• Water
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Olive oil
• Salt

Method

• Mix the milk and water and heat the mixture on a stovetop until it is just warm to the touch. Ensure that the mixture is not hot, as this will kill the yeast.
• Add sugar to the warm milk-water mixture and stir until it dissolves.
• Add the yeast to the mixture and stir again.
• Allow the yeast to proof by keeping it undisturbed for 10-20 minutes. You will know it is ready when the mixture becomes frothy and foamy.
• In a large bowl, add the flour, salt, and sugar. Whisk to combine the dry ingredients.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, including the proofed yeast mixture, olive oil, and water. Mix with a spatula first, and then use your hands to form a sticky dough.
• Use the Instant Pot to proof the dough. The 'Yogurt' mode creates an ideal environment for proofing, and the dough will double in size in about an hour.
• Once the dough has risen, use a cast-iron pan to cook the flatbread. Ensure that the pan is hot enough by sprinkling a few drops of water on it. If the water evaporates immediately, it is ready to be used.
• Place the dough on the pan and cook the flatbread until it is soft and pillowy, with brown blisters on the surface.

You can also cook the naan directly in the Instant Pot using the Saute function set to "normal". However, adjusting the temperature might be a bit tricky, so it is recommended to cook it on a stovetop.

Air fryer temperature

Air fryer flatbreads are a quick and easy recipe that can be made in about 15 minutes. The cooking time and temperature for flatbread in an air fryer depend on the size and thickness of the flatbread, as well as the make and model of the air fryer. It is recommended to start with a shorter cooking time and a lower temperature and adjust accordingly.

Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to between 160-180°C (320-350°F) for 3 minutes before placing the flatbread in the basket. The flatbread is then cooked for around 7-9 minutes, depending on the desired crispness and the air fryer model. It is important to note that air fryer temperatures can vary, so it is recommended to keep an eye on the flatbread to ensure it doesn't burn.

To prevent the flatbread from moving around in the air fryer, it is suggested to use a metal trivet or grill basket to weigh it down and allow it to cook evenly. Additionally, brushing the flatbread with oil before air frying can help it brown and prevent sticking.

For a vegan option, plant-based yogurt can be used as a substitute for Greek yogurt in the flatbread dough.

Frequently asked questions