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

Jump to Recipe

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.
Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (2)

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!

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (3)

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.

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (6)

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.

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (7)

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.

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (8)

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

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (9)

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

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (10)

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

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (11)

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

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (12)

Then add the inion rings and the bacon.

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (13)

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.

Classic Flammkuchen / Tarte Flambée - Recipes From Europe (14)

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

Print Pin Save

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

Is tarte flambée French or German? ›

Flammekueche (Alsatian), Flammkuchen (Standard German), or tarte flambée (French), is a speciality of the region of Alsace, German-speaking Moselle, Baden and the Palatinate.

What is the English translation of tarte flambée? ›

tarte + flambée (“fired pie”), from the practice of cooking the dish in embers.

What is a flammekueche in English? ›

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.

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.

How do you eat tarte flambée? ›

To serve, cut into desired size and top with the following:

A French flatbread topped with creme Fraiche, onions, and bacon, Tarte Flambée is an easy dinner option filled with rich, savory flavors.

What is a tarte in Germany? ›

"Tarte flambée is an Alsatian dish composed of thin bread dough rolled out in a circle or a rectangle, which is covered by crème fraîche, onions and bacon. It is one of the most famous gastronomical specialties of the region.

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 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 is a tarte in French slang? ›

Usage notes: The French expression ce n'est pas de la tarte is equivalent to “it's not easy, it's hard work, it's tough.” Since it's used informally, ne is usually dropped, leaving c'est pas de la tarte. Travailler à plein-temps et chercher un diplôme à la fois, c'est pas de la tarte !

What to drink with tarte flambée? ›

For all tastes. Connoisseurs have their tarte flambée with a glass of pinot blanc or pinot noir rosé. Some restaurants give the tart a twist by adding local specialties, goat cheese, or Munster. There's even a sweet version with stewed apples.

What is Alsatian tarte flammkuchen? ›

Another Alsatian classic to accompany the new harvest is the Flammkuchen (Flammkueche in the Alsatian dialect), the famous Tarte Flambée! It's similar to pizza but the dough is made with milk instead of water, it's spread with a thin layer of sour cream mixed with an egg yolk and the result is crunchy and light.

What is the name of the pizza in Strasbourg? ›

Flammkueche, Alsatian or Strasburg pizza, comes in endless varieties. Otto prefers the classic Alsatian pizza with fluffy sour cream, aromatic spring onion and salty smoked bacon.

Is flammkuchen healthier than pizza? ›

I have something for you: flammkuchen with fresh figs, rosemary, thyme and goat cheese. Deliciously fresh, full of herbs and vitamines and a healthy alternative to a high-calorie pizza. I personally like to combine fruits with savory products such as cheese and herbs. A real taste explosion of different flavors.

What is tarte flambée in English? ›

Tarte flambée, also known as flammekueche, is a pizza-like flatbread from Alsace in France. Topped with tangy créme fraiche, melt-in-the-mouth onions and crispy pancetta, this recipe takes it to the next level with lots of Le Gruyère AOP cheese grated over the top. discover more: Gruyère Recipes.

What is a flammkuchen pizza in good pizza great pizza? ›

Flammkuchen is a German thin crust pizza with crispy bacon and onions with a sour cream/greek yogurt sauce.

Is Tarte cosmetics French? ›

Tarte Cosmetics, also known in Japan as Yamazaki Beauty (Japanese: 株式会社ヤマザキビューティー, Hepburn: Kabushikigaisha Yamazaki byūtī), is an American-Japanese cosmetics company headquartered in New York City and Tokyo.

Do tarts come from France? ›

A little history

The ancient Greeks also made tarts, known as plakous, which were made with cheese and honey. During the Middle Ages, tarts became popular in Europe, particularly in England and France. In England, tarts were often filled with meat or fish, while in France, they were filled with fruit or custard.

What is a tarte in France? ›

Named after the woman who invented it, the Tarte Tatin (tart tah-TAN) is a famous French "upside-down" caramelized apple tart or Tarte aux pommes (caramélisé). Basically, the apples are underneath the dough – topsy-turvy indeed.

What is the name of the French flatbread? ›

Fougasse (French-Style Flatbread) This gorgeous fougasse, a cousin to the more popular focaccia, is edible bread art straight from the South of France. It's so simple to make that you'll most likely nail it even if it's your first time.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 6163

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.