Flatbread is a type of bread that is made without yeast and has a flat, round, or oval shape. Arabic bread is a type of flatbread that is commonly eaten in the Middle East. People like this for various reasons, including their taste, versatility, and convenience. Flatbread can be used as a base for a variety of toppings, can be easily rolled or folded, and can be quickly prepared. They can be enjoyed plain or flavoured, making them a popular food item. You can buy Arabic bread easily from a fresh bakery in UAE or order bread online. Some popular varieties include:
Pita bread
It is a type of round, flat bread that is common in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Balkan cuisine. It is made from a mixture of flour, water, salt, and yeast, and is baked in a very hot oven, causing it to puff up into a pocket. It can be filled with various ingredients while baking bread.
Naan
Naan is a leavened, oven-baked bread originating from the Middle East and South Asia. It is made from a mixture of flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and yoghurt or milk, and is traditionally baked in a tandoor oven. Naan is soft, chewy, and slightly crispy on the outside, and is commonly served with Indian curries, stews, and soups.
Lavash
Lavash is a thin, soft flatbread that is traditional to Armenian, Iranian, and Turkish cuisine. It is made from a simple mixture of flour, water, salt, and sometimes yeast. It is rolled out thinly and baked until crisp. Lavash is often used as a wrap for various fillings, such as meats, vegetables, and spreads, or as a base for crackers, pizzas, and dips.
Baladi
Baladi is a type of flatbread that is popular in the Middle East and North Africa. It is made from a mixture of whole grain flour, water, salt, and sometimes yeast, and is typically baked in a wood-fired oven or on a griddle. Baladi is denser and more nutritious than white flour bread and is often seen as a staple food in Arabic bakeries.
Saj bread
It is a type of thin, unleavened flatbread originating from the Middle East. It is traditionally made on a convex metal griddle called a Saj. Saj bread is used as a wrapper for various dishes such as falafel, shawarma, and kebabs.
Khobz
Khobz is a type of round, flat bread that is commonly eaten in North African and Middle Eastern cuisines. It can be easily found in bread bakeries near you and can be served with a variety of dishes.
Flatbreads like pita, tortilla, and naan are often used as a wrap for sandwiches or as a scoop for dips. It can be used as a base for a variety of toppings to create a type of pizza. They can be served as a side dish with a meal. Some types of Arabic bread can be eaten as a snack, either plain or with added toppings. Sweetened flatbreads can be used as a base for desserts or can be served as a sweet treat on their own.
Fried Bread–Sfynz
Sphynz is fried bread that was originated from the bedouin regions of northern Africa. This bread consists of flour, water, and yeast. It’s separated into little chunks and fried to a golden crisp. This is usually prepared for breakfast alongside eggs, cream cheese, or even honey. This is a staple of the region, especially in the harsh winters.
Bedouin Bread–Chebab
The Chebab bread is traditionally from the Gulf and is very similar to the typical American pancake. This Dish is enjoyed mainly in celebrations like Eids, Christmas, and weddings, as its mainly a sweet bread. This type of bread gets its name from “cheb” meaning “turning over,” or flipping it till it’s brown on both sides. The bread is made from yeast, flour, melted butter, saffron and other ingredients that add to its flavorful taste. Chehab is traditionally served with chammi, a cheesy dish that is prepared by boiling yogurt with salt.
Yemeni Bread–Malawah
What makes this unique is that it is layered and folded with butter or ghee inside which makes it very tasty. You will most likely find this in the many restaurants in Sanaa, Aden, Hodeidah or other parts of the country. Its thick crunchy crust allows this to be enjoyed with sweet stuff like honey or halva as well as a cup of tea. This versatile use can make it a classic for the region.