Chef Abbie Gellman RD

Published on February 21, 2021

Updated on March 22, 2021

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Do you ever have those nights when everyone wants something different for dinner? That problem is solved with my gluten free flatbread.

Everyone can satisfy their craving with this customizable dish. All it requires is one base, then the family can choose their own toppings, the flatbread itself is delish. Using oats in place of flour and that little touch of honey gives this flatbread a nice chew and hint of sweetness – perfect to pair with just about anything (but more on that later!). This gluten free flatbread will be a go-to for weeknight meals.

Curated favorites

There are so many different variations of flatbreads you can make using my gluten free flatbread recipe as a base. This flatbread can be served as an appetizer or part of an antipasti, or as a meal. Below are just a few of my favorite ways to top it!

Traditional margherita pizza: Use your favorite pizza sauce (I like Rao’s, but any sauce will do) and fresh mozzarella cheese to top your gluten free flatbread. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil.
Olive tapenade: Once the gluten free flatbread has cooled slightly, top with olive tapenade (store bought is fine!) and fresh squeezed lemon.
Pesto: Use a store bought or homemade pesto (check out my Pumpkin Seed Pesto or my Pistachio Pesto), spread it over the gluten free flatbread. Keep as is or add additional cheese or chicken on top!
Roasted garlic & za’atar: Once the gluten free flatbread is cooked, drizzle some olive oil over top and bake for an additional 1-2 minutes to crisp up the flatbread. From there spread some roasted garlic over top and sprinkle with za’atar. Eat as is or pair with some hummus.

While these are a few of my go-tos to top my gluten free flatbread, you can really adjust this recipe to fit your preferences. You can also use last night’s leftovers to create a whole new meal using chicken, fish, steak and/or veggies as your topping!

Health benefits

What does gluten free mean?

Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale products.1 People who have Celiac disease or gluten intolerance cannot digest gluten, which can make them sick. Instead, those who cannot eat gluten, can opt for grains like oats, quinoa, and buckwheat (to name a few).2 However, just because this flatbread is gluten free does not mean it can’t be enjoyed by everyone!

All about oats

This gluten free flatbread uses those same instant oats you eat for breakfast in a non-traditional manner. The use of oats in place of flour is what allows this gluten free flatbread to be, well, gluten free. Not only that, but oats are packed with benefits. Oats are full of fiber, as well as iron and thiamin – all necessary nutrients we need to live a healthy life.3

Let’s start off by talking about fiber. Oats are higher in soluble fiber, a type that creates a gel when introduced to water, which helps to slow down digestion.4,5 Specifically, oats have a type of soluble fiber called beta glucans.6 In addition to slowing digestion, beta glucans are most notable for their role in removing “bad” cholesterol from the body and lowering blood sugar.6

The other nutrients oats contain, iron and thiamin, also have notable health benefits. Iron is necessary in our diets as it oxygenates our blood and muscles, and thiamin is necessary for the breakdown of the foods we eat.7,8 Remember, when it comes to plant-based iron sources, like oats, pairing it with a source of vitamin C (ex. oranges, bell peppers) will increase absorption!9

These are just a few health benefits of this gluten free flatbread recipe. For the full recipe, keep on scrolling below!

Tag me on Instagram, @ChefAbbieGellman, and show me your take on my gluten free flatbread!

Resources

Kubala J. 8 Foods to avoid with a gluten intolerance (and 7 to Eat). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gluten-food-list#foods-to-avoid. Published September 20, 2020. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Link R. 8 Gluten-free grains that are super healthy. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-gluten-free-grains#5.-Amaranth. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Quaker instant oatmeal original. Quaker. https://www.quakeroats.com/products/hot-cereals/instant-oatmeal/original. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Phillips M. Soluble and insoluble fiber. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19531.htm. Accessed February 18, 2021.
How to add more fiber to your diet. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983. Published January 6, 2021. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Oats. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/oats/. Published November 4, 2019. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Iron. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Thiamin. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Thiamin-HealthProfessional/. Accessed February 18, 2021.
Tan V. How to increase the absorption of iron from foods. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/increase-iron-absorption#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4. Published June 3, 2017. Accessed February 18, 2021.

Gluten free flatbread

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, brunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Snack

Keyword: flatbread, gluten free, oats

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 30

Servings: servings

Author: Chef Abbie Gellman RD

Ingredients

1 ½ cups plain (gluten free) Instant Oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 egg beaten
1 ½ tablespoons honey
1 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons water

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix together instant oatmeal, baking powder, salt, and Italian seasoning.
In a small bowl, whisk together egg, honey, oil, and water.
Add egg mixture to bowl with oat mixture and incorporate well. Using your hands, make into a ball and place on parchment paper. Press down on oat mixture and form into rectangle, it should be roughly 11-inch by 5-inch.
Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes till desired golden brown.

Video

Notes

Notes: serve with an assortment of antipasti or toppings, such as cheese, roasted red peppers, and olive tapenade. Another option is to add toppings halfway through cooking, such as tomato sauce, cheese, or pesto, and return to the oven. 4 servings as an appetizer/side and 2 servings as an entree