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

What does Flammekueche mean in English? ›

Flammkuchen – fresh out of the oven. The name of the dish varies in local dialects; it is called Flàmmeküeche, or Flàmmaküacha in Alsatian, or Flammkuche in Lorraine Franconian – compare (Standard) German Flammkuchen. All these names translate as "pie baked in the flames".

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 tarte flambees in english? ›

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

How do you eat tarte flambée? ›

Once the tarte flambée has been cut up, each person helps themselves and rolls up their slice to eat with their fingers. No cutlery is used. Serve with a cold beer or a glass of dry Alsatian white wine. Tarte flambée is a much-loved regional speciality in Alsace, but it's not easy to find good ones in Strasbourg.

What do you drink with tarte flambée? ›

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 a fun fact about tarte flambée? ›

In addition to its unique taste, the special thing about the tarte flambée, or Flammkueche as it is often called in Alsace, is the tradition from which it arose. It originates from a time more than 100 years ago when Alsatian farm owners in the Kochersberg region still baked bread in their own wood-burning stoves.

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. I knew then that I would try and re-create this Alsatian tart at home.

What does flammkuchen taste like? ›

It's similar to a pizza or flatbread and traditionally topped with bacon, onion, and crème fraiche, although you can easily customize flammkuchen however you like. It's deliciously savory, with a slightly smoky flavor and a beautifully crispy thin crust.

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.

Where does flammkuchen originate from? ›

With a thin, crispy crust, flammkuchen (as it's known in German) or tarte flambée (in French) is sort of a hybrid between flatbread and pizza. Literally translated as “flame cake” or “pie cooked in flames,” the dish is a specialty of France's northeastern Alsace region and the southwestern Palatinate region in Germany.

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.

How do you keep tarte tatin from getting soggy? ›

"Sometimes, I like to flash it back in the oven for a minute or use a blowtorch to take the pan off. I find either of these methods helps the tarte keep its shape, and the cooling rack helps keep the tatin from getting soggy."

Can you keep tarte tatin in the fridge? ›

Serve the tarte Tatin while it's still warm, topped with ice cream or a dollop of crème fraîche. Leftover tarte can be kept refrigerated for several days (and make an excellent breakfast).

Does a tarte tatin need to be served immediately? ›

The best way to eat it is 1-2 hours after cooking, when it is still warm and the pastry is crisp. You can cook the tart a day in advance, keep it in the mould and reheat it at 150°C for 20 minutes.

What is the meaning of Flambee? ›

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

What is a Flambee in English? ›

flambée (feu):

fire.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Last Updated:

Views: 6752

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gov. Deandrea McKenzie

Birthday: 2001-01-17

Address: Suite 769 2454 Marsha Coves, Debbieton, MS 95002

Phone: +813077629322

Job: Real-Estate Executive

Hobby: Archery, Metal detecting, Kitesurfing, Genealogy, Kitesurfing, Calligraphy, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Gov. Deandrea McKenzie, I am a spotless, clean, glamorous, sparkling, adventurous, nice, brainy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.