Simply put, a flatbread is any kind of bread which is flat. It may be made with unleavened dough, as is the case with many flatbreads, or it may be made from leavened dough which is flattened out before baking. Many cultures on Earth have a version of flatbread, which was probably one of the earliest bread products ever made. Some of the oldest extant examples of food found in tombs and archaeological sites have been flatbreads. These breads vary widely in size, shape, texture, and ingredients.

Unleavened flatbread has a special symbolic role for several religions, especially Judaism. Matzo is a common example of an unleavened flatbread, and it traditionally takes the form of a rectangular crisp cracker. Tortillas are a softer version of an unleavened flatbread, made with corn or flour, depending on the region and the dish. The disparity between these two dishes helps to illustrate the wide range of flatbreads eaten around the world.

Some other examples of flatbread include chapati, injera, pizza, pita, cracker bread, lavash, puri, barbari, pancake, arepas, and naan. Many of these breads are designed to work like eating utensils for scooping up foods from a common serving platter. They can also be wrapped or rolled around foods, stuffed like sandwiches, or eaten plain. Almost every culture with access to grain has devised some kind of flat bread, made from ingredients like wheat, teff, corn, rye, or rice.

The most basic flatbread is made from ground grain and water. Many cooks also add salt and oil for additional flavoring. Leavened flatbreads may be made with various yeasts, and they may also include eggs in some cases. The variants certainly do not stop with the basic recipe. The dough for flat breads can be mixed with herbs, spices, and vegetables, such as dill, thyme, cumin, coriander seed, onions, or garlic. In the case of pizza and focaccia, the flatbread may be topped with an assortment of ingredients.

Many flatbreads are very easy to make at home, and they make an excellent supplement to ethnic and traditionally styled meals. Many cookbooks include multiple recipes for flatbread, along with suggested variations to make them more interesting. Bakeries and grocers also usually carry multiple varieties of flatbread, and they may lay in special stocks for religious holidays and special events. Travelers should also put some energy into trying out regional flatbread specialties, as unique flatbreads often carry a long and interesting cultural and culinary history which natives are often happy to share.