Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (2024)

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This Delicious Flammkuchen Is The Perfect Blend of Flavors and Textures!

Searching for a timeless dinner recipe that has something for everyone? Flammkuchen is definitely worth a try!

Also known as Flammekueche or Tarte Flambée, this flatbread tart from the French-German border region is topped with thinly sliced onion, bits of fatty bacon, and a tasty cream sauce as the base.

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (1)

As mentioned above, Flammkuchen is a dish with an interesting history as it comes from the Alsace region of Europe (the area around Strasbourg along the French, German, and Swiss borders).

This is a region of France but since the area changed hands over the centuries (French or German), the culture – specifically the food – is a mix of both.

That’s why Tarte Flambée is popular in France but also very popular in Germany where it is known as Flammkuchen!

Our recipe is for an Alsatian Flammkuchen – it’s something we’ve eaten around the south of Germany many times. However, there are lots of different variations for toppings that you can put on. You can even make sweet versions of it.

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

Before you make this tasty flatbread, have a look at these recipe tips and need-to-knows for best results:

  • This Flammkuchen recipe is not made with yeast in the dough. Some people like it to have yeast but we prefer it flatter and more like a tart. Also, cooking with yeast scares some people so not having yeast is often easier!
  • There are other toppings you can put on. Our recipe is for a very classic version made with a creamy base, onion, and some form of bacon.
  • Make sure to roll out the dough so that it is thin – it’s not supposed to have a thick crust.
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How to Make Flammkuchen – Step by Step Instructions

If you want to make this classic French/German pizza, you can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post with exact measurements.

For those wanting helpful visuals, you can find the Flammkuchen recipe photos in this section.

That way, you can follow with the recipe photos to make sure you’re on the right track!

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Start by adding the flour, salt, olive oil, and egg yolk to a mixing bowl.

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (4)

Mix everything together with the spiral dough hooks of your electric mixer while slowly adding the water.

Keep mixing until the dough has an elastic consistency. If the dough is too crumbly, add a little bit more water. On the other hand, if it is too sticky, add some more flour.

Form the dough into a ball with your hands and place it back into the bowl. Cover the bowl with a dishtowel and let it sit for around 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel the onion and slice it into thin rings.

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Also, cut the bacon into small pieces. You can use thin or thick cut bacon – that’s your choice. Just keep in mind that it won’t get super crispy in the oven.

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Then mix the sour cream, crème fraiche, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.

At this stage also line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 420 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Once the 30 minutes are up, sprinkle some flour onto your countertop and briefly knead the dough with your hands.

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Then roll it out using a rolling pin until it is very thin and has the size of the baking sheet.

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Transfer the dough onto the parchment paper on the baking sheet.

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Evenly spread the sour cream/crème fraiche-mixture on top of the dough.

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Then add the inion rings and the bacon.

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Bake the Flammkuchen on the middle rack of your oven for around 12-15 minutes until the edges are crispy and the dough makes thin, airy bubbles under the toppings.

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Remove the Flammkuchen from the oven, let it sit for a couple minutes, then cut it into slices with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Enjoy!

Storage Tips

Flammkuchen is definitely best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when it is crispy. You can store leftovers in a sealed container or in tin foil in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to 1-2 days, but try eating sooner rather than later.

To reheat it, you can place it back in the oven for a few minutes (for best results). Microwaving a slice or two will also work – but the microwave tends to make the crust soggier.

FAQ

What is Flammkuchen?

Flammkuchen – also called Tarte Flambée – is a thin-crust tart that resembles a pizza. It is from the Alsace region of Europe and is traditionally topped with a cream sauce, thin onions, and lardons (small fatty bacon).

Related Recipes

For more classic European recipe, try out these tasty creations:

  • German Rouladen – Rolled beef filled with mustard, bacon, onions, and pickles!
  • Hefezopf – German sweet bread formed in a beautiful braid.
  • Hungarian Cucumber Salad – A creamy cucumber salad recipe with lots of paprika.
Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (15)

Flammkuchen

Flammkuchen – also known as Tarte Flambée – is a classic recipe. Technically a tart (but often called a pizza), our Flammkuchen is topped with a creamy base, onion, and bacon. This thin-crust delight makes a great dinner option!

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 8

Ingredients

The Dough

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon water, lukewarm

The Topping

  • 1 yellow onion
  • 2/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup crème fraiche
  • 2 slices bacon, approximately
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add the flour, salt, olive oil, and egg yolk to a large mixing bowl.

  • Mix everything together with the spiral dough hooks of your electric mixer while slowly adding the water. Keep mixing until the dough has an elastic consistency. If the dough is too crumbly, add more water. If it’s too sticky, add some more flour.

  • Form the dough into a ball with your hands and place it back into the bowl. Cover the bowl with a dishtowel and let it sit for around 30 minutes.

  • In the meantime, peel the onion and slice it into thin rings. Cut the bacon into small pieces. Also, mix the sour cream, crème fraiche, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.

  • At this stage also line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 420 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Once the 30 minutes are up, sprinkle some flour onto your countertop and briefly knead the dough with your hands. Then roll it out using a rolling pin until it is very thin and has the size of the baking sheet.

  • Transfer the dough onto the parchment paper on the baking sheet. Evenly spread the sour cream/crème fraiche-mixture on top of the dough. Then add the onion rings. Lastly, place the bacon pieces on top.

  • Bake the Flammkuchen on the middle rack of your oven for around 12-15 minutes until the edges are crispy and the dough makes thin, airy bubbles under the toppings.

  • Remove the Flammkuchen from the oven, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then cut it into slices with a pizza cutter or sharp knife.

Notes

  • Some people like making Flammkuchen with yeast dough. However, we prefer this dough since it’s super easy to make and you don’t have to worry about using yeast (which we know that some people really dislike).

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 492kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 818mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g

This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.

Course Dinner

Cuisine German

Author Recipes From Europe

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (2024)

FAQs

What is the English translation of tarte flambée? ›

All these names translate as "pie baked in the flames". Contrary to what the direct translation would suggest, tarte flambée is not flambéed but is cooked in a wood-fired oven.

What does Flammekueche mean in English? ›

Flammekueche means Flamed Cake in German. Hence the French name, Tarte Flambé. It's really just another version of pizza. But what makes it distinctly different is the toppings.

What is the difference between pizza and tarte flambée? ›

The classic pizza always consists of tomato sauce, herbs and cheese plus ingredients to taste, which can range from simple salami to exclusive truffle. The original Alsatian tarte flambée always consists of sour cream, bacon and onion. There are also numerous variations for the topping of the tarte flambée.

What is flammkuchen in English? ›

Flammkuchen, which means 'flame cake' in German, is the perfect example of a dish that is much greater than the sum of its parts. Crème fraîche, sliced onion, bacon and a crispy base come together to create this delicious pizza-flatbread hybrid.

What does tarte mean in English? ›

1. : a dish baked in a pastry shell : pie: such as. a. : a small pie or pastry shell without a top containing jelly, custard, or fruit.

What does tarte flambée taste like? ›

It's fundamentally a very simple combination of smoky bacon, sautéed onions, and rich cream on a crispy bread that forms a most amazing salivatingly savory meal. The flavors I experienced that day still linger in my memory.

How to eat tarte flambée? ›

I like to pair this dish with a nice white wine for dinner. Tarte flambée is usually topped with cream, which pairs well with white wine. If your recipe calls for onion, then a chardonnay would go well with this dish. If you choose not to use onion in your recipe, try pairing it with a sauvignon Blanc or Riesling.

What is the history of tarte flambée? ›

Born in the farms of Alsace, the tarte flambée is also called Flammekueche. At that time, the peasants made this recipe on bread baking day and gathered in the village to share this meal. Their origins go back to the Middle Ages. The simple and authentic recipe is easy to make.

What is a tarti flamm? ›

The name translates literally to “flame cake,” but flammekueche is neither a cake, nor is it on fire. Instead, it's a cross between a savory tart and a pizza, a thin sheet of unleavened dough spread generously with crème fraîche, and sprinkled with slivered onions and bacon.

Why is pizza called apizza? ›

Locally known as apizza (/əˈbiːts(ə)/; from Neapolitan 'na pizza, Neapolitan: [na ˈpittsə]; lit. 'a pizza'), it originated in 1925 at the Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and is now served in many other pizza restaurants in the area, most notably Sally's Apizza and Modern Apizza.

What is Napoleon style pizza? ›

Neapolitan pizza, or pizza Napoletana, is a type of pizza that originated in Naples, Italy. This style of pizza is prepared with simple and fresh ingredients: a basic dough, raw tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and olive oil. No fancy toppings are allowed!

What makes a pizza apizza? ›

Basically, apizza is a thin-crust pizza that is traditionally baked in a coal-fired brick oven. The coal gives the crust a sooty, smoky, flavor, and the high heat of the oven gives the bottom of the crust its characteristically charred quality.

What is pizza called in German? ›

The German word for pizza is Pizza. In German, common as well as proper nouns are capitalized. Pizza is a feminine noun, so ''the pizza'' is translated as die Pizza.

What is the Swiss version of pizza? ›

Originally the flammkuchen was used as a way to test the heat of wood-fired ovens. The embers were pushed aside and a very thinly doughed tart (almost like a pizza, but thinner), usually topped with bacon or cheese, would be set in the middle of the oven.

Where did flammkuchen originate? ›

Flammkuchen originated in the Alsace region, which, after years of flip-flopping between Germany and France is now geographically, if not culturally, within French borders. The neighbouring German state, Saarland, also now claims Flammkuchen as its own invention.

What does flambée mean in English? ›

: to douse with a liquor (such as brandy, rum, or cognac) and ignite.

What is the literal translation of tarte tatin? ›

It said to have been food writer Curnonsky, who named it Tatin, and Maxim's who referred to it on its menu as "La Tarte des Demoiselles Tatin (the tart of two unmarried women named Tatin)" in hommage to the sisters.

What is a tarte in French slang? ›

Other tart-related expressions

Tarte can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is simple, easy or stupid.

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