Flammkuchen – an incredible German flatbread pizza

Try Flammkuchen, it is an incredible German flatbread pizza. You don’t have to visit Italy to try a new flavor of pizza. Plus it is seriously a fun word to say, flammkuchen – pronounced flam-KOOK-en. I was introduced to the delicious flatbread on a vist to Berlin, where it was served as an appetizer.

Flammkuchen, is similar to tarte flambe served in France. Tarte flambée is an Alsatian dish, speciality of the Alsace region and neighbouring areas of northeast France, south Germany. It is a really simple dish that is quick and easy to make. 

The pizza in Germay is composed of bread dough rolled out very thinly, which is covered with crème fraîche, thinly sliced onions and lardons. For my recipe I used more American ingredients you’ll see listed below.

Ingredients for the Flammkuchen:

• premade bread dough or pizza dough – to make you own the recipe is below
• crème fraîche or sour creme or thick greek plain yogurt
• thinly sliced onion
• thinly sliced bacon or lardons or pancetta
• salt
• pepper
• the secret ingredient – nutmeg
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese or gruyère

For the Dough:

• 2 cups bread flour
• 1/3 cup
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast
• 3/4 cup lukewarm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Topping:

• 1 cup crème fraîche or sour cream or  plain Greek yogurt
• Salt, pepper and freshly grated nutmeg to taste
• 4 ounces bacon or pancetta
• 1 to 2 cups thinly sliced onions

To make the flammkuchen dough –

1. Place bread flour and salt in a bowl.
2. In a separate small bowl, dissolve fresh yeast or active dry yeast in some of the lukewarm water. If using instant yeast, stir it directly into the flour.
3. Add the yeast, remaining water, and oil to the center of the flour and stir to combine. Knead by hand or machine for several minutes or until the dough is smooth and does not stick to the sides of the bowl. (if it is sticky sprinkle in a dash of flour a little at a time.
4. Shape the dough into a ball, coat with olive oil. Place in a bowl and cover. Let it rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes.
5. Punch down the dough gently and divide into two pieces. Shape both into a ball, coat with oil and let rise for 20 to 30 minutes, covered.
6. While the dough is rising, heat your oven to 500 F. If you have a baking stone, place it in your oven. If you do not have one, place a cookie sheet upside down in the oven to heat. You can also do this on the grill for a flamed smokey crunchy crust.

To make the flammkuchen topping:

1. Mix the crème fraîche/sour cream. Add salt, pepper and freshly grated nutmeg.
2. Chop the bacon slices into small pieces and thinly slice the onions. (you can pre cook in a pan if you want)

Assemble the Flammkuchen:

1. Flatten or roll out dough  with a rolling pin and by stretching by hand and make as thin as possible. Place on the hot stone or baking sheet.
2. Add the crème fraîche and smooth to the edges.
3. Sprinkle evenly with bacon and onions.
4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until it is golden brown on the edges.
5. You can sprinkle with pepper, chives, or parmesan cheese.