Wanna change up your pizza night with a cool German-French vibe? Give Flammkuchen a try! It's this super tasty, fast snack – kinda like a German pizza, or what the French folks call tarte flambé.
Never had Flammkuchen? Imagine a crispy, thin crust loaded with a creamy spread, flavorful onions, and bacon bits. Yum, right? But these days, you can get all sorts of awesome toppings on this pizza alternative. Keep scrollin' for some mouth-watering ideas!
If you're into speedy snacks that taste way better than fast food or takeout and also save money, you've gotta try currywurst, fleischsalat, or this Allgäu-style sausage & cheese salad. Trust me, you won't regret it!
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What is Flammkuchen?
A flammkuchen, or "Tarte Flambée, as they call it, sometimes also called German pizza, is a traditional Alsatian dish. Traditionally, the pizza-like dish has a topping of a special kind of creamy spread, bacon, and onions.
Flammkuchen can be served as a starter, snack, or even a main course. The simple dough is made from flour and water, and traditionally no yeast was added; even today, some recipes refer to the addition of yeast.
After being shaped into the desired size, it is placed on top of a hot stone in the oven for about 10-15 minutes before being taken out to serve right away. The beauty of this dish is that it can be made with any toppings you like. It's a perfect recipe for those who enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen.
Is Flammkuchen German or French?
The answer to this question is a tasty argument! Flammkuchen, or Tarte flambée as sit is called in Frensch, has an interesting backstory linked to both German and French roots. Isn't it awesome how food can unite cultures?
Right in the middle of Europe, Alsace is where Germany and France meet, and that's where Flammkuchen was born. Now, if you ask around, some folks might say it's German 'cause Alsace was for a very long time part of Germany. But others might argue it's French, thanks to the region belongs nowadays to France.
So, what's the final say? We might never put this tasty argument to bed, but honestly, Flammkuchen is a delicious mix of German and French cooking.
And isn't that what matters? We can all dig into this amazing dish, no matter where it comes from. So, let's cheers to how food brings us all together and chow down on some Flammkuchen!
How to pronounce "Flammkuchen" in German?
Listen to this audio file to hear how to say "Flammkuchen" the German way.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Let me tell you about the simple ingredients that transform into a delicious German Pizza like magic:
Flour: Bread flour is the foundation of our Flammkuchen dough, giving it that perfect crispy texture we all love when baked. But you can substitute for spelt, all-purpose or whole wheat flour.
Olive oil: High quality olive oil not only adds flavor and moisture to the dough, but also helps us achieve that scrumptious crispy crust we crave.
Salt: A generous pinch of salt goes a long way in enhancing the flavor of our Flammkuchen dough and making the crust even more tender and elastic.
Yeast: There is no yeast in the classic, traditional German pizza recipe. This makes this dish super fast, as there is no need to wait for the dough to rise.
Topping: In the traditional recipe, crème fraîche is used, but this is difficult to find or very expensive in many supermarkets outside of Europe. This is why I created this tasty alternative with a mixture of sour cream, cream cheese, and heavy cream that just tastes like the original when baked.
Sour cream: This creamy goodness adds a tangy twist to the topping, balancing out the rich flavors of bacon and onions.
Cream cheese: Provides a creamy base for the German pizza, adding richness and flavor while also helping to bind the toppings to the crust.
Heavy whipping cream: Mix it up with sour cream and cream cheese to create a smoother, velvety texture for the Flammkuchen topping.
Onions: These sweet and savory all-stars bring a mouthwatering aroma and flavor to the party, perfectly complementing the dish's rich ingredients.
Pepper & Salt: A touch of pepper brings a warm, subtle spiciness to the dish, contrasting beautifully with its creamy and savory notes. Add salt if you prefer it a little more salty, but be careful as the bacon already adds some saltiness to the dish.
Bacon: Oh, the bacon bits! They add a salty, smoky touch that deepens the flavor profile and makes our Flammkuchen truly delectable.
Green onions or chives (optional): Add a sprinkle of green onions or chives for a fresh, crisp twist and a pop of color that'll make your Flammkuchen look as amazing as it tastes.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Learn how to make a fast and easy version of a popular German snack named Flammkuchen, often called German pizza. This snack is especially popular in the South of Germany and the Alsace region of France. If you love thin-crust pizza, you will like this snack with its thin, crispy crust.
This recipe is super quick, so go ahead and start by preheating your oven to 450 F.
Step 1: First, grab a big bowl and toss in your dough ingredients and give it a good knead for about 5-10 minutes.
Step 2: Next, peel your onions and chop them in half and then slice them. Then, cut your bacon into small, bite-sized strips.
Step 3: Take a large non-stick pan and add just a bit of water (about ⅛ cup). Cook the onions until the water is all gone and the onions look translucent.
Step 4: In another bowl, mix together your sour cream, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, salt, and pepper.
Step 5: Now, cut the dough in half and roll out each piece into a rectangle on parchment paper. Once you've got it shaped, transfer the dough with the help of the parchment paper to the baking sheets.
Step 6: Spread that cream mixture evenly over both pieces of dough.
Now, it's bacon and onion time! Sprinkle your bacon strips and onion slices on top.
Step 7: Pop your soon-to-be-delicious flammkuchen into the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 450 F.
Optional step: While you're waiting, you can wash and chop some green onions or chives into small slices. After baking, give your flammkuchen a final touch by sprinkling the green onions on top. Enjoy!
Tip
Traditionally, there is no cheese sprinkled on Flammkuchen. But if you crave pizza and want some cheesy goodness, sprinkle the dish with shredded cheese of your choice before baking.
Variations
Besides the classic version with onions and bacon, there are tons of yummy variations to try out these days! Here are some ideas to spark your creativity:
- pear, gorgonzola, and spinach
- goat cheese and mango chutney
- cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, pesto, and arugula
- goat cheese, pine nuts, and honey
- spinach, mushrooms, and grated cheese
- smoked salmon
- asparagus and smoked black forest ham
- leek and diced ham
Kitchen Utensils
These are the kitchen tools you need to bake this delicious dish.
- large bowl and small bowl
- cutting board
- small kitchen knife
- medium sized pan or pot
- parchment paper
- baking sheets or pizza stone
How to Serve
Flammkuchen is super tasty by itself, but if you wanna make a full meal out of it, here are some awesome ideas to serve on the side:
Salad: Go for a light, fresh salad with like this German cucumber salad, red cabbage salad or a mixed German salad platter.
Soup: Warm up with a bowl of German vegetable soup. Perfect with Flammkuchen, especially when it's chilly outside.
Charcuterie and cheese board: Put together a spread of cured meats, cheeses, olives, pickles, and some crusty bread or crackers. Your guests will love mixing and matching flavors.
Veggies: Roasted or steamed veggies, like asparagus, green beans, or Brussels sprouts, keep it healthy and tasty.
German potato salad: A tangy German potato salad with vinegar dressing, bacon, and onions adds authenticity and pairs great with Flammkuchen.
What to drink with Flammkuchen?
Sip on a refreshing white wine like Riesling, Gewürztraminer, or Pinot Gris. Or, if you are a beer lover, go for a crisp German or Belgian beer or a delicious Radler. Apfelsaftschorle is the perfect non-alcoholic choice.
Storage
Alright, so you wanna store some leftovers? No problem! Just follow these simple steps:
Cool it down: Let your Flammkuchen chill out at room temp first. This stops extra moisture from messing with the crust.
Fridge it: If you're gonna eat it in the next few days, wrap it up tight in plastic wrap or foil, or put it in a sealed container. It'll stay good in the fridge for about 3-4 days.
Freeze for later: If you wanna save it for longer, pop it in the freezer. Wrap it well in plastic wrap or foil first, and then put it in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Your Flammkuchen should be good for 2-3 months if you store it like this.
Reheat it right: When you're ready to eat, crank up your oven to 375°F (190°C). Ditch the wrapping and put the Flammkuchen on a baking sheet or pizza stone. Bake it for about 8-12 minutes or until it's hot and crispy. If you froze it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Just keep in mind that Flammkuchen might not be as crispy after storing, and the toppings could lose some freshness. Reheating in the oven is way better than using a microwave, so you can still enjoy that tasty texture.
Recipe
Easy Flammkuchen Recipe for German style Pizza
Ingredients
Dough:
- 4 cups bread flour or all-purpose, spelt or whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 4 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 2 cups water
Topping:
- 3 large onions yellow, white or red
- ⅛ cup water
- 8 oz. bacon thick cut
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 8 oz. cream cheese room temperature
- 1 tbsp. heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp. coarse Kosher salt
- ½ tsp. coarse black pepper
- 4 green onions
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients for the dough to a bowl and knead for about 5-10 minutes.4 cups bread flour, 4 tbsp. vegetable oil, 2 cups water, 1 tsp. salt
- Peel and cut the onions into halves and then slice them. Cut the bacon into small strips.8 oz. bacon
- Add ⅛ cup water to a large non-stick pan and cook the onions until all the water is evaporated and the onions are translucent.3 large onions, ⅛ cup water
- Mix sour cream, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, salt, and pepper in a bowl.1 ½ cups sour cream, 8 oz. cream cheese, 1 tbsp. heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp. coarse Kosher salt, ½ tsp. coarse black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 450 F.
- Cut the dough into 2 pieces and roll out each piece of dough into a rectangle on parchment paper. Transfer the dough on the parchment paper to a baking sheet.
- Spread the cream mixture evenly on top of both dough sheets.
- Sprinkle with bacon strips and onion slices.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 450 F in the preheated oven.
- Optional: In the meantime, wash the green onions and cut them into small slices. Sprinkle the flammkuchen with green onions after baking.4 green onions
KK says
2 cups of what in the dough recipe?
Angela says
Thank you for catching that, it is 2 cups of water. I fixed it in the recipe.