Description
Lepinja is a traditional Croatian flatbread with a soft, slightly chewy texture and perfect pocket for stuffing with grilled meats, cheeses, or dips. This versatile bread is a staple at Balkan barbecues and family meals, similar to pita but with its own distinctive flavor and airy structure.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 tbsp (12g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp (9g) active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) warm water (110°F/43°C)
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tsp (9g) salt
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp yogurt or milk (for egg wash)
- Sesame seeds (for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Activate yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Make dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and oil, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead: Turn onto floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add flour as needed to prevent sticking.
- First rise: Place in greased bowl, cover with damp towel, and let rise in warm place for 1-1.5 hours until doubled.
- Shape: Punch down dough and divide into 6 equal pieces. Roll each into a ball, then flatten into 1/2-inch thick circles (about 6-7 inches wide).
- Second rise: Place on parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare oven: Preheat to 475°F (245°C) with baking stone or inverted baking sheet inside.
- Bake: Brush tops with egg wash (egg + yogurt/milk) and sprinkle sesame seeds if using. Bake for 8-10 minutes until puffed and golden.
- Cool: Wrap in clean towel immediately after baking to keep soft.
Notes
- For authentic texture, use a baking stone and spritz oven with water before baking.
- Perfect for cevapi (Balkan sausages) or as a substitute for pita bread.
- Dough can be refrigerated overnight after first rise for enhanced flavor.
- If bread doesn’t puff fully, dough may need more kneading or longer rise time.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Croatian/Balkan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bread
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg