3 Quick and Easy Ways to Make Bread With Flour & Water (2024)

Some people don’t like working with recipes with an ingredient list longer than a CVS receipt (if you know, you know). An ingredient-heavy recipe is not only a nuisance but can also get quite expensive.

Whether you’re trying to dodge lengthy recipes or want to cut back on your grocery bills with a two-ingredient “bread,” you’re in luck. Matzah is a Jewish bread typically eaten during Passover, but this unleavened bread can be consumed anytime you’d like – and no, you don’t have to be Jewish.

Hi! My name is Michelle, and as much as I adore cooking and baking, sometimes I want to enjoy simple recipes that don’t require a lot of ingredients. That’s why I have put together this convenient list of bread made with just flour and water.

Ok, so a few have one or two extra ingredients, but they’re still simple and budget-friendly, I promise.

Get your flour, water, and mixing bowl, and let’s make some bread!

3 Ways to Make Bread With Just Flour and Water

Did you know there are three ways to make bread with flour and water? (Alright, two of these have an extra ingredient, but who’s counting.) With so many simple and cheap recipes, you’ll want to make bread for the whole neighborhood.

Let’s dive in!

1. Matzah bread (unleavened bread)

Most bread contains yeast, which causes it to rise in the oven. This bread is known as “leavened bread.” So, what do you call bread sans yeast? “Unleavened bread,” of course! And as far as I know, it’s the only actual recipe that truly utilizes just flour and water.

Making Matzah bread (unleavened bread) is a cinch – which isn’t very shocking, is it? Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 475F.

Step 2: Place 2 cups of flour into a mixing bowl.

Step 3: Slowly pour 1 cup of water into the bowl while mixing.

Step 4: Knead the mixture until the dough is of a smooth consistency.

Step 5: Separate the dough into smaller balls and flatten them using a rolling pin or your hands.

Step 6: Pierce the dough with a toothpick or fork on each side and place them on a baking sheet.

Step 7: Put inside the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes. When your bread begins to brown and crisp up, they’re ready to come out of the oven. Cool before cutting and consuming.

2. Flatbread

Flatbread is like a beautiful blank canvas that can become whatever your heart desires. Will it be used for roll-ups with cheese, meat, and veggies stuffed inside? Will it turn into a sweet treat with apples, peanut butter, and chocolate chips? How about pizza?

The possibilities are truly endless, which is why this is such a popular recipe. As long as you have a little salt on hand, you can make tasty flatbread.

Step 1: Mix 1 ½ cups of flour with ½ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Slowly add ½ cup of water while mixing until all the water is incorporated.

Step 3: Knead the ingredients until smooth and place the ball of dough back into the mixing bowl and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Step 4: Divide the dough into six pieces and flatten using a rolling pin or your hands.

Step 5: Warm up a skillet on the stove on high heat.

Step 6: Once piping hot, lay a thin piece of flatbread dough on the skillet, cook for 30 seconds, then flip. Continue with the remaining dough pieces. Cool and create!

3. Traditional Bread

The two bread options mentioned above might be too flat for your needs. For instance, I can’t imagine trying to make a mile-high turkey bacon avocado sandwich using Matzah. Is it possible? Sure. Will it come out great? Eh.

That’s why I decided to add this “traditional bread” recipe to the list – or as some may refer to it, quarantine bread – because who didn’t try to make bread like this when they were cooped up in their home with little to eat?

While this recipe includes salt and active dry yeast, water and flour are the “stars” of the show. So it still counts as bread with just flour and water, right? (Not exactly, but don’t burst my bubble here).

The good news is that active dry yeast and salt are super inexpensive, so you won’t have to break the bank to get your hands on these essentials.

Step 1: Mix 3 cups of flour with 1 ½ cups of warm water, ½ teaspoon of active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a mixing bowl.

Note: If the recipe is too wet, add a pinch more flour – but don’t overdo it.

Step 2: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for up to 24 hours, but no less than 8 hours.

Step 3: Knead the bread on a floured surface using floured hands. The dough will be somewhat wet and tricky to work with.

Step 4: Place the shaped dough into a greased loaf pan.

Step 5: Preheat your oven to 425F. While it’s preheating, let your dough rest.

Step 6: Slice across the top of your bread dough (not too deep).

Step 7: Bake for approximately 50 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes before slicing (if desired).

FAQs

There you have it! The top three recipes utilize flour and water as the main ingredients. Easy-peasy! If you want to learn more about this topic, check out these interesting FAQs asked by users just like you.

Can I make bread with just water and flour?

You can! The only issue is that bread with just water and flour will not have a leavening agent. Therefore, it’s going to be a flatbread. If you add a pinch of salt, you can make traditional flatbread; if you add oil, you can make tasty naan bread. Or add salt and yeast to make a standard loaf.

Does flour rise without yeast?

Technically, yes. The honest answer is that flour won’t rise without a leavening agent. So, while you don’t have to use yeast as the leavening agent, it will still need “something.” Baking powder can work in place of yeast, as can baking soda mixed with an acid like lemon juice.

What is bread without yeast called?

Bread that does not contain yeast is known as “unleavened bread.” Oh, and that just so happens to be the number one recipe recommended if you solely want to use flour and water to make “bread” – no other ingredients involved. (Note: bread can be made with other leavening agents and does not qualify as “unleavened bread.”)

What type of bread is made without yeast?

Bread made without yeast is “unleavened bread.” However, it’s worth mentioning that soda bread contains leavening agents – baking powder, baking soda, and buttermilk. It’s delicious and definitely worth a try!

Making Bread with Water and Flour is Possible!

Using flour and water, you can successfully make unleavened bread (Matzah bread). However, adding one or two extra ingredients can turn it into something else entirely. For instance, a pinch of salt creates flatbread, while salt and active dry yeast will create a more traditional loaf.

Have you ever made one of these recipes? Do you have a recipe to share? Send us your favorite recipes in the comment section so we can also try them!

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