These are various recipes you can use to make unleavened bread, also known as matzah or matzo, during the Biblical holidays of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. There's a little bit of everything here, including gluten-free and vegan options, with recipes made from all-purpose wheat flour to corn masa to buckwheat to chickpea flour. Some of these are made on the stovetop, while others can be baked in the oven. These are wonderful homemade alternatives to boxed matzah, which can be hard to find and is sometimes expensive. These recipes are simple and delicious, and easy to prepare during the week of Unleavened Bread or any time of the year!
I think this post is important because the Living God is inclusive in his holidays, and there are ways for all people and cultures to take part in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, no matter what ingredients are available in their area or despite limitations such as allergies. We are free to use various recipes throughout the week, just so long as they are not leavened. I am giving multiple recipes because there is no single 'right' recipe to use during this time.
Where does unleavened bread come from in the Bible?
The directive for eating unleavened bread for a week was given in Exodus, following the final plague against Pharaoh on Passover. So quickly did Pharaoh change his mind and finally free the slaves that they had very little time to prepare for departure, not even time for their dough to rise and become leavened. Jesus told us to "eat to remember" and eating unleavened bread reminds us of the miracles that the Living God performed many years ago in Egypt, and it also reminds us that our circumstances can quickly change when we aren't expecting them to. Unleavened bread is full of hope.
What is the difference between unleavened bread and regular bread?
Regular bread - whether sandwich bread from the grocery store or artisan sourdough bread - is made using leaven, which means the dough has commercial yeast, sourdough starter, or another leavening agent like baking soda or powder. Typically the dough rests for several hours before baking and grows in size during that time. Once in the oven the bread rises more, giving it height and structure and that airy texture we are all familiar with. Unleavened bread is simply flour of some sort mixed with water and occasionally a few other ingredients, but no leaven. It is then baked quickly, in the oven or on the stovetop. Unleavened breads come out of the oven flat, and can be soft or crunchy depending on the thickness of the dough and how long it was baked.
What about the rabbinical rules though?
Rabbinical rules are just that, rules made up by men - rabbis in this case. There are many complicated rabbinical laws related to unleavened bread, like from when the flour first hits water it has to be baked within 18 minutes. We should know that while there may be wonderful intentions behind instructions like this, that does not mean these rules are the word of God. You are free to keep the Biblical holidays by only following what the Bible says. You do not have to adhere to manmade religious customs. If you are looking for the rabbinic laws regarding Passover and Unleavened Bread, you will not find them here.
Trying out different unleavened recipes can be a great activity during the holiday. How fun would it be to have a different type of unleavened bread each day of the week? Or you could do a potluck with several different kinds!
12 Unleavened Bread Recipes for Passover:
One Ingredient Socca from Pinch of Yum
Whole Wheat Crackers from A Couple Cooks
Crepes from Cookie and Kate
Tortillas from Minimalist Baker
Einkorn Matzah Bread from Land of Honey
.JPG)
Arepas from Minimalist Baker
Gozleme from Recipe Tin Eats
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies from Sprinkle Bakes
Five Ingredient Buckwheat Crepes (Gluten Free) from Minimalist Baker
Gluten Free Scallion Pancakes from Snixy Kitchen
Homemade Crackers from A Couple Cooks
Strawberry Crepes from Well Plated
Please keep in mind that there are many other types of unleavened bread that you could use to celebrate this Biblical holiday. Many cultures from every continent have some sort of unleavened bread recipe from Ethiopian kitcha bread to Chinese pancakes to tortillas to Indian chapati to much more. Any unleavened bread would be a lovely way to celebrate these Biblical feasts!
More recipes for Passover and Unleavened Bread:
Recipes to Use Homemade Matzah In
Blood on the Doorpost Passover Dessert
Meal Ideas and Recipes for the Feast of Unleavened Bread
