This layered, crispy flatbread is stuffed with green onions and offers a wonderful contrast between its golden, crunchy exterior and soft, flavorful interior. It’s a popular snack or breakfast item that can be served as-is or stuffed with proteins.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• For the Dough:

  • 300g all-purpose flour

  • 3g instant yeast (use 4g in cooler weather)

  • 175g warm water

• For the Oil Paste:

  • 3 tablespoons flour

  • 4 tablespoons cooking oil

• For the Filling:

  • 150g green onions (roughly chopped)

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • Chinese 5-spice powder

• For the Sweet Wash:

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup

  • 1 tablespoon oat milk

• For Garnish:

  • Sesame seeds (preferably raw white sesame seeds)

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough: Mix flour and yeast. Add water and knead into a dough. Let it proof for 30-35 minutes.

2. Make Oil Paste: Heat oil, then pour it over flour to make a paste. Let it cool.

3. Assemble the Bread: Roll dough, add oil paste and green onions, fold, and seal. Brush with sweet wash and top with sesame seeds.

4. Bake: Bake at 475°F (245°C) for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

• Calories: 180–220 kcal

• Fat: 10g

  • Saturated Fat: 1–2g

• Carbohydrates: 25g

  • Fiber: 2g

  • Sugar: 3g

• Protein: 4g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: 350–450mg

• Potassium: 180–200mg

• Calcium: 15–20mg

• Iron: 1–2mg

The Role of the Dough

At the heart of this flatbread lies the dough, which serves as the foundation for the layers. The dough is relatively simple to prepare, consisting of all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and warm water. The yeast is activated when mixed with warm water, allowing the dough to rise and become airy, which contributes to the bread’s light texture once baked. Kneading the dough ensures it has the right elasticity, which helps create the characteristic flakiness of the bread.

Allowing the dough to proof for about 30-35 minutes is an important step that gives the yeast time to work its magic, making the dough rise and develop flavor. This resting period helps the dough become more pliable, making it easier to roll out and assemble with the oil paste and green onions. The yeast adds a subtle depth to the flavor of the bread, enhancing its overall taste and texture.

Creating the Oil Paste

One of the signature features of this flatbread is the oil paste, which contributes to its signature flakiness. The oil paste is made by mixing flour with cooking oil, which is then heated to form a smooth paste. When spread over the dough, the oil paste works to create thin layers of dough that separate during the baking process, resulting in a light and crispy texture.

The oil paste also plays a key role in adding flavor to the flatbread. The fat from the oil coats the dough, enriching it with a savory richness that enhances the overall taste. As the bread bakes, the oil helps to crisp up the outer layers, making them golden and crunchy. This is what gives the flatbread its characteristic texture—crisp on the outside, soft on the inside.

The Green Onion Filling

The green onion filling is the highlight of this flatbread, adding both flavor and fragrance. Green onions, or scallions, bring a mild onion flavor that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the dough and oil paste. When baked, the green onions soften and infuse the bread with their savory, slightly sweet aroma, making each bite incredibly flavorful.

In addition to the green onions, a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of Chinese 5-spice powder are added to the filling to enhance the flavor. The Chinese 5-spice powder, which typically includes star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel, adds a unique depth and warmth to the flatbread. This blend of spices is commonly used in Chinese cooking and adds a fragrant, savory complexity that pairs beautifully with the green onions and dough.

Sweet Wash for Added Gloss and Flavor

To give the flatbread an extra layer of flavor and a shiny, appealing finish, a sweet wash is applied before baking. The sweet wash, made from maple syrup and oat milk, provides a subtle sweetness that complements the savory elements of the flatbread. The wash also helps the flatbread develop a golden, glossy appearance as it bakes, making it more visually appealing when served.

While the maple syrup in the wash adds sweetness, the oat milk gives the wash a smooth texture that glazes the bread evenly. The result is a shiny, beautiful flatbread with a slight hint of sweetness that balances the richness of the green onions and the oil paste. This step is key to achieving a beautifully finished flatbread that is as delicious as it is visually stunning.

The Role of Sesame Seeds

To finish the flatbread, sesame seeds are sprinkled on top before baking. These seeds not only add a delightful crunch but also enhance the flavor with their nutty, toasted taste. The addition of sesame seeds also provides a lovely contrast in texture, adding an extra layer of interest to the flatbread’s crispy exterior. They make the bread even more aromatic as they toast in the oven, giving it a subtle nuttiness that complements the other flavors.

Sesame seeds are also rich in healthy fats, particularly polyunsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health. They contain important vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, which contribute to bone health and overall well-being. Using sesame seeds as a garnish is not only an aesthetic choice but also an opportunity to add nutritional value to the dish.

Baking to Golden Perfection

The baking process is where the magic happens. As the dough rises and the oil paste works its way through the layers, the flatbread transforms into a golden, flaky masterpiece. Baking at a high temperature of 475°F (245°C) ensures that the exterior crisps up beautifully while the inside remains soft and tender. The intense heat of the oven creates the perfect environment for the dough to rise quickly, resulting in a light, airy texture with a satisfying crunch on the outside.

The baking time of 12-15 minutes is key to achieving the right level of crispiness and golden-brown color. It’s important to monitor the flatbread as it bakes, as oven temperatures can vary. You want to ensure that the flatbread is fully cooked, with a golden crust and a slightly puffed center. Once the flatbread is out of the oven, it should have a perfect balance of crispiness on the outside and softness on the inside.

Versatility and Serving Suggestions

Layered crispy flatbread with green onions is a highly versatile dish. It can be served on its own as a snack or paired with proteins to create a more substantial meal. For example, you could stuff the flatbread with scrambled eggs, sautéed vegetables, or grilled chicken for a heartier breakfast or lunch option. The warm, crispy exterior pairs beautifully with fillings like these, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture.

You can also serve the flatbread as a side dish alongside soups, stews, or salads, where its crispiness provides a perfect contrast to the soft and savory dishes. If you’re looking for a vegetarian meal, the flatbread can be served with a variety of dips or spreads, such as hummus, tzatziki, or a yogurt-based dip, which would complement the flatbread’s savory flavor profile.

Nutritional Considerations

This flatbread, while delicious, is relatively light in calories and fats, particularly when compared to other bread varieties. It offers a good amount of carbohydrates, making it a great energy source, and it provides a decent amount of protein from the flour and sesame seeds. The green onions and sesame seeds also contribute small amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, making this dish both tasty and somewhat nutritious.

However, if you are looking to make the recipe even healthier, you can consider using whole-grain flour for the dough to increase the fiber content. You can also reduce the amount of cooking oil used in the paste to make the dish lower in fat. Nonetheless, this flatbread offers a balanced combination of flavors and textures that make it an indulgent yet relatively healthy choice for a snack or meal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, layered crispy flatbread with green onions is a delightful dish that combines a golden, crispy exterior with a soft, flavorful interior. The dough, oil paste, and green onion filling come together to create a delicious contrast of textures, while the sweet wash and sesame seeds add finishing touches of flavor and visual appeal. Whether enjoyed as a snack, breakfast, or part of a larger meal, this flatbread is a versatile and satisfying choice. It’s easy to prepare, full of flavor, and offers a wonderful balance of savory and subtle sweet notes. This recipe is a perfect addition to your repertoire, bringing a delightful dish to your table in no time.