Garlic-Cheese Flatbread

Tired of serving the same old side dishes? This crispy garlic-cheese flatbread is a refreshing change of pace. It’s a thinner, crispier take on garlic bread, loaded with fresh garlic, basil and a trio of cheddar, Romano and Parmesan that fill your kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma as it bakes.

Best of all, it starts with store-bought pizza dough, making it easy to throw together for weeknight dinners, as a last-minute party snack, or to elevate your usual dinner bread basket. Feel free to make it your own by adding a dipping sauce, topping it with veggies or herbs, swapping the cheeses or giving it a little spice.

Garlic-Cheese Flatbread Ingredients

• Refrigerated pizza crust: A ready-made thin crust makes it easy to whip up this flatbread for weeknight dinners or last-minute gatherings. If you’re in the mood for more of a baking project, start with homemade thin-crust pizza dough.
• Butter: Brushing the dough with melted butter gives the herbs and cheese something to stick to, and makes the crust golden and flavorful. For a lighter flavor, substitute extra virgin olive oil for the butter.
• Fresh basil: Basil brings bright, herbal freshness and peppery notes that balance the rich, salty cheeses. If fresh basil isn’t available, use 1 teaspoon of dried basil or Italian seasoning for a similar herbaceous flavor.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses the flatbread with irresistible aroma and savory depth. This recipe uses four cloves, but feel free to add a few more if you’re a garlic lover, or sprinkle in a pinch of garlic powder for an extra punch.
• Shredded cheese: A trio of cheddar, Romano and Parmesan delivers the perfect mix of meltiness, sharpness and salty bite. For the best results, shred the cheese yourself; freshly shredded cheese melts more smoothly and tastes better than bagged shredded cheese.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the dough

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Unroll the dough into a greased 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Gently press it out to form a 13×9-inch rectangle, then build up the edges slightly to help hold in the toppings.

Editor’s Tip: If the dough springs back as you stretch it, let it sit at room temperature for about five minutes. A short rest will relax the gluten, making it easier to shape.

Step 2: Add the toppings

Drizzle the melted butter over the dough. Sprinkle the chopped basil and minced garlic over it, then top them with the shredded cheeses, making sure to cover the dough evenly to the edges.

Step 3: Bake the flatbread

Bake the flatbread until it’s crisp, 11 to 14 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and let the flatbread cool slightly before cutting it into squares. Serve the flatbread warm.

Editor’s Tip: For an extra flavor boost, sprinkle the flatbread with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of olive oil before serving it.

Garlic-Cheese Flatbread Variations

• Change out the crust: Replace the refrigerated pizza dough with naan or pita to make a chewier, heartier flatbread. You can also use frozen puff pastry for a flakier crust, or opt for a cauliflower crust as a gluten-free alternative.
• Add veggies: Top the dough with caramelized onions, thinly sliced tomatoes, sliced black olives or mushrooms for a colorful, veggie pizza twist.
• Make it spicy: Sprinkle the flatbread with crushed red pepper flakes before or after baking it to add a kick of heat.
• Try different cheeses: Replace one of the cheeses with shredded mozzarella for gooey stretch, with pepper jack for heat or with crumbled goat cheese for a creamy tang. Experiment with other bold combinations like Gruyere and sharp white cheddar, or mozzarella and blue cheese.
• Use a blend of herbs: Mix in fresh chopped parsley, thyme or rosemary along with the basil for a deeper aromatic flavor. No fresh herbs on hand? Sprinkle your flatbread with Italian seasoning or spread prepared pesto over the crust for an instant flavor boost.
• Serve with a sauce: Keep things traditional with warm marinara sauce for dipping, or add bold flavor to the finished flatbread with a drizzle of balsamic glaze, pesto sauce or hot honey.

How to Store Garlic-Cheese Flatbread

Let the flatbread cool, then place slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can you freeze garlic-cheese flatbread?

Yes! For longer storage, stack cooled flatbread pieces between layers of parchment in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze them for up to two months. Frozen slices can be reheated directly from frozen in the oven or an air fryer.

How do you reheat garlic-cheese flatbread?

Warm garlic-cheese flatbread slices in a 350° oven until the crust crisps back up and the cheese is melty again. You can also reheat leftovers in an air fryer for a few minutes to get the crust extra crisp (just like pizza). Skip the microwave, which will make the crust soggy.

Garlic-Cheese Flatbread Tips

Is flatbread healthier than pizza?

Flatbread can be a healthier option than pizza, depending on the toppings you use and the portion size. Flatbread is thinner and lighter than traditional pizza crust, so it typically has fewer calories and carbohydrates per serving compared to traditional pizza.

Cutting the flatbread into small strips or squares can also help keep calories lower than a large slice of pizza. That being said, the cheese and butter toppings still contribute fat and calories, but as I always say, everything in moderation!

What else can you use for a flatbread crust?

There are plenty of ways to get creative when it comes to making a flatbread crust! Instead of pizza dough, try puff pastry for an extra-flaky and buttery base. You can also use prebaked naan or pita for a chewier texture. Large flour tortillas or prebaked flatbreads also work, and they are perfect for making smaller, personal-sized flatbreads. If you need a gluten-free option, try a frozen cauliflower or gluten-free thin crust.

What can you serve with garlic-cheese flatbread?

Garlic-cheese flatbread is perfect for dipping, snacking or pairing with a meal. Serve it with marinara, pesto, ranch dressing, garlic aioli or creamy spinach-artichoke dip for dunking, or pair it with a warm bowl of minestrone or roasted tomato basil soup for dipping.

For game day or party snacking, serve squares of garlicky flatbread along with a cheese board and other fun bite-sized appetizers. This flatbread is also a flavorful alternative to garlic bread, so it’s a natural fit for pasta night. Pair it with Italian-inspired mains like spaghetti, baked ziti, lasagna or fettuccine Alfredo. It also pairs well with lighter meals, such as grilled chicken and roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.