30 Easy Flatbread Recipes and Topping Ideas That Are Even Better Than Pizza

From every corner of the globe, flatbreads come in a dizzying array of styles. From thin and crispy Italian piadina to soft and pillowy Indian naan to satisfying nan-e barbari from the Middle East, each a pocket of joy just waiting to be stuffed or topped with your favorite ingredients. This simple bread is made with flour, salt, and water (plus other ingredients depending on the region), with a characteristic flat shape, as the name suggests. No matter the cuisine, flatbread isn't simply about the bread. It's also a canvas for a whole world of flavors. Imagine vibrant, crunchy vegetables and tantalizing spices or aromatic herbs and gooey, melting cheeses. The possibilities are limited only by your own culinary imagination. We've rounded up some of our favorite toppings for flatbread (and a few recipes for the base bread, as well) to get the ideas flowing—starting with this crisp grilled flatbread that's all about enjoying the summery flavors of ratatouille. It's a great way to utilize fresh, seasonal vegetables without having to make a homemade crust.

Looking for a simple but flavorful side? This onion flatbread uses store-bought pizza dough topped with shredded cheddar and thinly sliced red onion to make a crisp and delicious bite.

This grilled mushroom flatbread recipe stands out for its tantalizing combination of earthy mushrooms, creamy crème fraîche and fragrant herbs atop a perfectly grilled flatbread. It's a testament to the power of simplicity, harnessing a few high-quality ingredients to create a heartwarming, rustic dish.

There are tons of ways to make a delicious flatbread, from using a ball of pizza dough to buying store-bought naan. If you have the desire to make flatbread from scratch, start with this recipe for yogurt flatbread. With just five ingredients, it’s an easy recipe, even for those with little to no baking experience.

A satisfying dinner can be ready on the table in just 20 minutes with this BBQ chicken flatbread recipe. Using store-bought flatbreads and rotisserie chicken, you can make each as spicy as you like by dialing up (or down) the amount of sliced peppers.

Savor the best of the farmer’s market with this flatbread that’s piled high with fresh arugula, radishes, and herbs. Ribbons of prosciutto and a thick layer of fresh ricotta add a luxurious and filling touch.

Recipe developer, Shadi Hasanzadenemati says, "This is a no-knead bread that’s quite simple to master. The key to a delicious and fluffy pide, or flat bread, is not using too much flour. You need just enough to be able to handle the sticky dough on your work surface."

This aromatic, flavorful dish brilliantly marries the warm, earthy notes of turmeric with tender chicken, all beautifully presented on a golden flatbread. Complemented by a bright spinach salad and a creamy yogurt sauce, it's not just a visually appealing meal, but also a well-balanced mix of protein, veggies and carbs.

Recipe developer Yumna Jawad says, "Cheese manakeesh, or mana’eesh, is a Middle Eastern flatbread topped with shredded Akawi cheese, which is similar to whole-milk mozzarella. This is a Lebanese-style manakeesh that I learned how to make from my mother. It’s easy to prepare from scratch, but you can also use a 1-pound ball of store-bought pizza dough (or your favorite pizza dough recipe)."

This poblano shrimp flatbread recipe brings a flavorful twist to traditional flatbread, featuring succulent shrimp, smoky poblano peppers and a zingy Mexican crema. It's an excellent fusion of seafood delicacy and flatbread comfort food, presenting a unique, gourmet-style dish that's easy to make at home, perfect for a classy dinner or a tasty lunch.

A simple grilled flatbread is a must for your recipe box. It’s perfect for those days when it’s just too hot to turn on the oven and can serve as a base for toppings of all kinds.

Making pizza dough from scratch doesn’t have to be scary. These flatbread pizzas use a simple flatbread recipe for the dough. Choose your favorite toppings, from a ham-and-cheese combo to Napolitano Margherita to a mix of fresh veggies.

This recipe is a flavor-packed adventure that offers a unique, delicious experience, perfect for those seeking a new and exciting spin on traditional flatbread dishes. Savor the Middle Eastern flavors with its use of tasty spiced ground beef and shredded Lebanese cheese.

Think of this next recipe as po’ boy meets pizza. Crunchy and golden fried calamari and homemade caper seafood sauce, all on top of crisp flatbread, make this a dish that’s anything but boring.

Recipe developer, Shadi Hasanzadenemati says, "Nothing beats fresh-out-of-the-oven barbari. This classic Persian flatbread is common all over Iran and a staple on the breakfast table, usually served with cheese, herbs, walnuts or jam and honey. It’s a bit crispy on the outside and so fluffy on the inside. The bread's special flavor comes from the baking soda and flour glaze that's brushed on before baking. In Persian bakeries, the bread is traditionally formed into a long oval loaf and cooked in a wood-fired oven. The home baker can make a smaller oval to fit in a standard oven."

This recipe brilliantly captures the sunny, fresh flavors of the Golden State with its delightful mix of tangy goat cheese, juicy tomatoes and chopped bacon on a crispy flatbread base. It's not only a visually vibrant dish but also an easy-to-make meal that marries the comfort of flatbread with the health-conscious ethos of California cuisine, perfect for a light lunch or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

If you’re not in the mood to make a mess in the kitchen, why not whip up this recipe that you can make entirely on the grill? Pile some summer squash over fluffy ricotta for a quick meal that’s light, yet satisfying.

Even classic garlic bread can get a bit old at times. This grilled garlic flatbread uses all the familiar Italian flavors on a piece of flatbread that you can cook right on the grill.

Pineapple may be controversial on pizza, but it's definitely right at home on a flatbread, especially when combined with zesty chipotle shrimp. Top it with ripe avocado and fresh cilantro to round out the flavors.

This flatbread makes a great vegetarian-friendly meal that’s satisfying and flavorful. Topped with fresh herbs, chickpeas and a spicy jalapeño sauce, it has a delightful blend of Mediterranean flavors, making it a great choice for a healthy, hearty meal or a unique appetizer that can cater to various dietary preferences.

Common throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean, pita is traditionally baked at high temperatures in a tandoor (clay) oven. The versatile staple is served with kebabs, falafel, souvlaki, hummus, baba ganoush and many other preparations. It’s popular in America, too, but our store-bought pita generally leaves a lot to be desired. (For starters, by the time we get it, it’s often several days old.) The good news is that pita is easy to make at home and the soft, tender and fragrant result is well worth it. Although you can bake it in a regular oven, we use a grill to replicate a bit of that smoky tandoor flavor. Cooking the dough on a griddle rather than directly on the grill grates means there’s less chance of sticking, making the bread easier to flip.

This recipe offers a beautiful combination of sweet and salty flavors, featuring the delicate sweetness of pears balanced by the saltiness of prosciutto, all on a crispy grilled flatbread. Topped with peppery arugula and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, it delivers an elevated, gourmet flatbread experience, showing how simple ingredients can create sophisticated flavors when they're thoughtfully combined.

This recipe is the perfect introduction to mortadella, if you’re not already familiar. Marinated artichoke hearts and a lemony arugula salad balance the flavors of the dish with a hit of bright acidity.

A classic Sardinian recipe, this version uses a crisp flatbread and tops it with Stracchino cheese from Lombardy. Drizzled with some garlic and rosemary-infused oil, this snack is the perfect pairing to a chilled glass of white wine.

If there's anything that will make you fall in love with Indian food, it's naan. This flatbread from the North of India is juxtaposition at its most beautiful: pillowy and elastic, with dark charred bubbles and a crispy bottom. It's usually made in a tandoor oven, a clay oven that can reach up to 900 degrees F! That's hard to replicate at home, but this stovetop version comes pretty darned close.

Topped with crisp, dressed greens, a simple flatbread can be transformed into ‘salad pizza’. Toss in some sliced of aged pecorino, or mix things up and add your favorite vegetables to the greens.

A decadent, cheesy flatbread can hit the spot no matter what mood you’re in. This one combines four cheeses and store-bought pesto for a tasty dish that everyone in the family will devour.

Yogurt can be so much more than a breakfast staple. In this recipe, it marinates juicy spiced chicken and serves as one of just 3 ingredients in a simple flatbread. Top it all with a combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and feta to complete the meal.

This toasty sesame flatbread starts as a ball of refrigerated pizza dough. This shortcut is a totally genius hack for flatbread in a snap.