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Home » Breads » Homemade Lavash Bread Recipe

Published: Mar 1, 2021 by Zerrin & Yusuf

Homemade Lavash Bread Recipe

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This homemade lavash bread recipe is made using only 4 simple ingredients that you probably already have at home! And it is hard to believe that within a few simple steps you can get this irresistibly soft, thin and flexible bread that has a ton of different uses.

Lavash bread is the bread served with kebabs at Turkish restaurants. In our opinion, it is one of the most versatile pieces of bread you can make.

Lavash breads on a clean white kitchen towel. Butter on a white oval plate on the top and parsley and feta on another white oval plate at the bottom.

Lavash is one of the most loved foods in Turkey. You can use them to make adana kebab dürüm or doner kebab wraps. You can even create delicious crispy chips for dipping sauces like hummus dip. The possibilities are endless! 

We all love homemade bread, don’t we? We have several bread recipes for you here from homemade simit recipe to rustic Turkish cornbread recipe.

Today, we will be looking at all things lavash, from its origins to its ingredients, accompaniments, and ultimately how to make this delicious recipe. We will also discuss important storage techniques and alternative flours that can be used.

Jump to:
  • What is lavash bread?
  • Lavash vs flatbread
  • Which country is it from?
  • Ingredients
  • How to make
  • How to eat
  • How to reheat 
  • How to store 
  • Can I freeze it?
  • Can I make it gluten-free?
  • More Turkish Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

What is lavash bread?

Lavash is a type of flatbread that is used in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. This bread is generally made from either a leavened dough or an unleavened dough.

The unleavened lavash dough is made using only flour, water, milk, salt, and sometimes sugar. The leavened dough, and arguably the more traditional version, is made using flour, water, yeast, salt, and sugar.

This lavash dough is then rolled into a very thin round disc and cooked in either a hot clay oven or sometimes a wood or brick oven. Today, many people use a non-stick pan, wok, or griddle pan.

In Turkish cuisine, lavash bread is served as one of the sides for kabobs and used to make wraps, also known as dürüm. This wrap is made using lavash breads and kebabs.

Lavash vs flatbread

Many people have a misconception that lavash is the same as traditional flatbread. While they do closely resemble each other, the biggest difference is that flatbread is supposed to be thicker while lavash is meant to be thinner.

The shape of this Middle Eastern wrap bread also tends to be circular, compared to flatbreads which are more oblong in shape.

The use of lavash bread is also much more specific and is mostly used to make wraps, where many of the other flatbreads have multiple uses including being stuffed or serving as an accompaniment.

If you look at Turkish cuisine specifically, there are only two types of flatbread; pide bread and flatbread bazlama. Neither can be used to make wraps.

Which country is it from?

To pinpoint the origin of lavaş is very difficult because many cultures and cuisines have influenced each other extremely over the last few decades, even centuries!

Although there isn’t an exact factual origin, no one can argue that it originated in the Middle East. The countries that use it most in their cuisines include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey. Each of these cultures has its own unique twist on the recipe and way that they use it.

Ingredients

This lavash flatbread recipe only uses 4 ingredients; flour, salt, yeast, and warm water.

Flour, instant yeast and salt in a large glass bowl and water in a smaller bowl on the side on a light background.

We use all-purpose flour to help get the precise texture and gluten-structure that we need. We need the lavash dough to be flexible yet soft, something all-purpose flour is great for as it combines the characteristics of bread flour and cake flour.

The addition of yeast makes this lavash recipe a leavened one and it requires a resting or proofing period. It is very important to rest your dough and allow it to double in size. This step helps the dough develop gluten strands while also relaxing them. This will make the rolling out step much easier and leave you with a soft lavash wrap.

Warm water is needed to help activate the yeast, so please DO NOT use cold water!

How to make

This lavash bread only has a few simple steps even the kids can help out with! This recipe has the best ratios that give you incredibly soft and flexible bread, perfect for virtually any use!

A hand pouring water into the flour mixture in a glass mixing bowl.
A hand mixing the flour and yeast mixture with water using a fork.

First, combine the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix well. Slowly add the warm water while mixing it with a fork. Eventually, you will have to start mixing it with your hands for about 5-10 minutes.

Place the dough into another bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rest for 40-50 minutes or until it has doubled in size.

Leavened dough in a glass mixing bowl.
Dough cut into pieces on a wooden board.

Second, shape the lavash pieces. Lightly dust the counter with some flour and place the dough down. Gently press down the dough so it deflates, then cut it into 10 pieces.

Cover the pieces with a damp kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out while you are rolling the other pieces. Let them rest for 15 minutes before starting to roll out.

Rolled out dough on a wooden board and two dough balls on the side.

Third, roll each piece and cook. Cover each piece of dough with flour on both sides. Using a rolling pin, roll each ball as thin as possible. It shouldn’t be bigger than your pan.

Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the lavash piece into the hot pan and allow it to cook for 30 seconds per side. DO NOT overcook it – it should be soft and flexible, not crispy.

Lavash breads in an iron skillet on a wooden board and more lavash breads on the side.

Set the cooked lavash bread pieces aside on top of each other and cover them with another kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out.

How to eat

Because of its soft and flexible nature, lavash bread is mostly used to make kofta kebab wraps or cigkofte dürüms. Many people however love it in its simplest form; a wrap with delicious salted butter and a mixture of parsley and feta cheese.

You can also serve it along with some dips like sun dried tomato sauce or haydari sauce and with salads like piyaz or shepherd salad.

How to reheat 

Reheating lavash is incredibly quick and easy to do. The best method to use is to simply reheat it in a non-stick pan. You may want to spray it lightly with some water to help soften it again, especially if it has already dried out.

Another method that works, but not as well as the pan one, is to reheat a few in a hot oven. This method works better if you want to reheat a few pieces, but requires constant rotating or turning to ensure each piece heats thoroughly.

How to store 

Lavash dries out extremely quickly because it is so thin. This is why it is important to constantly keep your raw dough and cooked pieces covered with a kitchen towel.

When storing, it is also very important to keep them covered. Stack the sheets together and cover them with a kitchen towel. Wrap the whole covered stack in plastic wrap. This will help keep them soft for 2-3 days.

Can I freeze it?

You can definitely freeze lavash breads and they actually freeze well!

Before freezing or wrapping your breads, make sure they have completely cooled! Place the pieces in resealable airtight bags and before sealing, make sure to remove as much air as possible. Place them in the freezer where they won’t get damaged or squashed.

To thaw and reheat them, simply remove them from the freezer and bags, then reheat them on a hot skillet over low heat for a few minutes, until they are soft and flexible again. Now they are ready to be used!

Lavash flat breads on a white kitchen towel and some butter in a small oval bowl on one side and feta parsley mixture in another oval bowl on the other side of the breads.

Can I make it gluten-free?

You can easily make this lavash recipe a gluten-free one. The simplest way to do so is to use store-bought gluten-free flour. Also, you might need to learn the gluten-free flour options that work for your specific needs. Keep in mind that the different flours will affect the taste and texture and won’t closely resemble traditional lavash.

More Turkish Recipes

  • Turkish Borek with Cheese
  • Lahmacun Recipe
  • Gozleme
  • Pide with Ground Beef
  • Pogaca
  • Homemade Doner Kebab

You might also like:

  • Turkish Gozleme Recipe
  • Turkish Chicken Kebab Recipe (Tavuk Şiş)
  • Turkish Manti Dumplings
  • Turkish Cacik Dip with Yogurt & Cucumber

As always: If you make this recipe, let us know what you think by rating it and leaving a comment below. And post a pic on Instagram too—tag @give_recipe so we can see!

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Print

📖 Recipe

Homemade Lavash Bread Recipe

Lavash breads in an iron skillet on a wooden board and more lavash breads on the side.
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

Soft and thin bread that you can make wraps with.

  • Author: Zerrin & Yusuf
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: Turkish
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cup all purpose flour, plus more when rolling out
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 cup warm water, plus 1-2 tablespoon more to use when kneading

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, salt and instant yeast.
  2. Slowly pour warm water over it. Meanwhile mix it with a fork and then when it gets hard to use the fork, continue mixing it with your hand until everything holds together. This might take 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, use a stand mixer to make the dough. 
  3. Slightly wet the bottom of another bowl with your hand, place the dough in it and wet the surface of it as well. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 40-50 minutes so that it doubles in size. 
  4. Dust the counter with some flour and transfer the lavash dough on it. Deflate the dough, give it a log shape and cut it into 10 pieces. Cover these with a dump kitchen towel to prevent them from drying when you are rolling out one of the patties. Let them rest for 15 minutes before you start rolling them out.
  5. Heat a non stick pan over medium heat. 
  6. Meanwhile, flour both the surface and one of the dough balls well. Roll it out using a rolling pin as thin as possible. Make sure it fits the pan you are planning to use. 
  7. Carefully place it in the hot pan and cook it for 30 seconds and flip it over using a spatula and cook the other side for 30 seconds. Don’t over-cook, otherwise it will get crispy, not soft and flexible as expected.
  8. Transfer the cooked lavash bread on a clean kitchen towel and cover it with another kitchen towel. Otherwise, it dries out fast. 
  9. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.

Notes

  1. It is very important that you cover both the uncooked dough balls and the cooked lavash bread. Otherwise, they dry out. 
  2. You can stack the cooked lavash on one another and then cover.
  3. Don’t overcook the rolled out dough, it gets crispy and hard to wrap otherwise.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 138
  • Sugar: 0.1 g
  • Sodium: 234.5 mg
  • Fat: 0.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28.8 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: lavash, lavash bread, lavash bread recipe, homemade lavash, lavaş

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Ally says

    January 21, 2023 at 1:18 am

    Love this recipe. It’s the first time I’ve made a flatbread that stays pliable. Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Zerrin & Yusuf says

      January 21, 2023 at 1:23 am

      Hi Ally,

      We are glad you enjoyed it. You are most welcome!

      Reply
  2. Jeani says

    May 01, 2022 at 1:41 am

    Further to my last comment, I am going to tweak the rolls
    more like labne and use lots of fresh dill which I love! Oh
    the lovely possibilities!!!

    Reply
  3. Jeani says

    May 01, 2022 at 1:32 am

    I see the breads are as large as the pan you cooked them in. Would the
    lavash be about ten or twelve inches in diameter? Thanks in advance. I
    am looking forward to making them for wraps and plan on rolling them
    into rectangles and cooking them in a rectangular non stick electric skillet.

    Reply
    • Zerrin & Yusuf says

      May 02, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      Yes you can make the lavash bread about 10 inches in diameter.
      The rolls you are planning to make sound yummy! Perfect way to use lavash!

      Reply
  4. Steph says

    April 28, 2022 at 11:40 pm

    We used this bread recipe for our homemade Döner kebap dinner for the family. It's very good, and similar to what we get in the kebap shops here. Thank you so much for your recipe. With love from Germany.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Zerrin & Yusuf says

      April 29, 2022 at 12:38 am

      So glad you enjoyed it in the best way! Can't think of a better food than döner kebap to pair with lavash.
      Thank you for your feedback.
      Hugs to Germany!

      Reply
  5. Marielle Otten says

    June 15, 2021 at 8:30 pm

    Easy and delish! I need to practise my dough rolling skills 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Sally says

    March 05, 2021 at 6:10 am

    Lavash is my favorite thing at Turkish restaurants. And I made this recipe today. Wow! Can't believe how easy it is. We use it to wrap some leftover chicken. So good! Will definitely be making it often. Thanks!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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Meet Zerrin and Yusuf Gunaydin: The couple behind this blog. We bring Turkish food into your kitchen! From kebabs to desserts, everything you crave is here.

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