Turkish Bazlama Flatbread with Butter

Turkish Bazlama Flatbread with Butter

Turkish Bazlama Flatbread with Butter

TereyaฤŸlฤฑ Bazlama

This soft, pillowy Turkish flatbread has a mild yeasty flavor with a tender, slightly chewy texture. The golden-brown surface is brushed with melted butter, creating an irresistible aroma and rich taste. It's the perfect homemade bread for any meal or as a satisfying snack.

Prep 20 min
Cook 2h
Servings 6
Difficulty Medium
Bazlama is a beloved Turkish flatbread that has graced Anatolian tables for centuries, traditionally cooked on a saj (griddle) over an open fire. This rustic bread represents the heart of Turkish home cooking, where simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary. When you bite into fresh bazlama, you'll experience its wonderfully soft interior that contrasts beautifully with the slightly firmer exterior. The butter seeps into every pore of the warm bread, creating layers of rich, creamy flavor that complement the bread's natural wheat taste. The aroma alone โ€“ yeasty dough meeting sizzling butter โ€“ will fill your kitchen with warmth. This versatile flatbread works perfectly for breakfast with cheese and tomatoes, as a side for soups and stews, or simply enjoyed warm with extra butter. The texture is substantial enough to hold toppings yet tender enough to tear by hand, making it ideal for sharing around the table. Fresh bazlama is best enjoyed immediately while still warm, when the butter is just absorbed and the bread maintains its perfect soft-crispy balance. Each bite delivers comfort and satisfaction that explains why this humble flatbread remains a Turkish household staple.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast

    Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar in a small bowl. Let stand for 5-8 minutes until foamy and bubbly on top. The mixture should smell yeasty and double in volume. Do not use hot water as it will kill the yeast.

  2. Make the dough

    Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, then mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Do not add too much flour or the bread will be dense.

  3. First rise

    Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until doubled in size. The dough should spring back slowly when gently poked. Do not let it over-rise or it will collapse.

  4. Divide and shape

    Punch down dough and divide into 6 equal portions. Roll each piece into a circle about 15cm diameter and 1cm thick on a floured surface. Let rest for 15-20 minutes until slightly puffed. Do not roll too thin or they won't puff properly.

  5. Prepare butter

    Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat for 2-3 minutes until fully liquefied and fragrant. Keep warm but not bubbling. The butter should be golden and smell nutty. Do not let it brown or burn.

  6. Cook the bazlama

    Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Cook each flatbread for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown spots appear and it puffs slightly. The surface should look dry and feel firm. Do not press down while cooking.

  7. Brush with butter

    Immediately brush each hot bazlama generously with melted butter on both sides while still warm. Stack them on a plate and cover with a clean kitchen towel. The butter should soak in within 1-2 minutes. Do not skip this step while they're hot.

Tips

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Cooking Tips

For extra soft bazlama, cover the stack with a damp towel immediately after buttering to create steam that keeps them perfectly tender.

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Alternatives

All-purpose flour works but bread flour gives better texture. You can substitute melted clarified butter for regular butter for a nuttier flavor.

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Serving & Storage

Serve warm with Turkish cheese, tomatoes, and olives for breakfast, or alongside soups and stews. Store wrapped in plastic for 2 days, reheating briefly in a dry pan.

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