Sep 24 2026
Restaurants›The Social House›Margherita Flatbread Recipe

Margherita Flatbread Recipe

Inspired by The Social House
Time1h 5m
Serves2

Make Margherita Flatbread Recipe in just 1h 5m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Flatbread Dough

Method

Flatbread Dough

  1. 1

    Activate yeast

    Combine warm water (3 tbs), sugar (1 tsp) and active dry yeast (1 tsp) in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit until foamy, about 5–8 minutes. If it doesn’t foam, the yeast may be inactive — start over with fresh yeast.

  2. 2

    Make dough

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour and 1 tsp fine sea salt. Make a well and add the foamy yeast mixture and 1 tbsp olive oil. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

  3. 3

    Knead

    Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6–8 minutes. If dough is sticky, sprinkle up to 2 tbsp additional flour, a little at a time. Dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky.

  4. 4

    First rest

    Lightly oil a clean bowl, place the dough inside, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let rest at room temperature for 30–45 minutes until slightly puffy (not necessarily doubled).

Topping & Finish

  1. 5

    Prepare tomato sauce

    While dough rests, combine 1 cup crushed peeled plum tomatoes, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp of the salt (reserve remaining), 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil in a bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning; the sauce should be bright and slightly loose. Set aside.

  2. 6

    Preheat oven / baking surface

    Place a pizza stone or an inverted heavy baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes. If using a baking sheet without a stone, preheat to 475°F (245°C).

  3. 7

    Shape flatbreads

    Turn rested dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into two equal pieces for two medium flatbreads (or leave whole for one large). Working with one piece at a time, press and stretch dough with your fingers or roll with a rolling pin to a roughly 9–10 inch oval or round, about 1/8–1/4 inch thick. Dust a peel or sheet with 1 tbsp cornmeal/semolina to prevent sticking.

  4. 8

    Assemble

    Brush a thin layer of olive oil (about 1/2 tbs per flatbread) over the dough surface. Spoon 1/2 of the prepared tomato mixture onto each flatbread, spreading gently and leaving a 1/2 inch rim. Tear or arrange slices of fresh mozzarella over the sauce, spacing so cheese melts evenly (about 3 oz per flatbread). Sprinkle remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly. If using, grate 1 tbsp Parmesan over each flatbread.

  5. 9

    Bake

    Slide the assembled flatbread onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and lightly browned, 6–10 minutes at 500°F (260°C) or 8–12 minutes at 475°F (245°C). Rotate once halfway through for even browning if necessary.

  6. 10

    Finish and serve

    Remove flatbread from oven. Immediately scatter fresh basil leaves (about 6 leaves per flatbread) across the hot pizza so they wilt but remain bright. Drizzle remaining 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil over the top. Let rest 1–2 minutes, slice, and serve warm.

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