National Dish Sweden: Tunnbröd (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Tunnbröd, the thin Swedish flatbread that sits at the very heart of Scandinavian cooking! Soft, pliable and wonderfully versatile, it can be rolled, folded or piled high with your favourite fillings. This simple recipe brings a little Nordic flair straight to your kitchen, and it works just as beautifully warm from the pan as it does cooled and packed for a picnic. Easy to make and endlessly adaptable, it is a bread you will come back to again and again.
About Tunnbröd
Tunnbröd is a traditional Swedish flatbread celebrated for its thin, supple texture. It is a cornerstone of Swedish food culture and turns up alongside all manner of dishes, from festive spreads to everyday snacks. The bread can be enjoyed warm or cold and lends itself perfectly to being paired with a wide range of fillings. In every bite, tunnbröd carries the distinctive flavours of Scandinavian cooking straight to your table.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 250 g wheat flour
- 150 ml water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Shopping for the ingredients
To make tunnbröd at its best, pick up fresh ingredients from a local grocer or a weekly farmers’ market. It is worth choosing good-quality wheat flour, as this has a big impact on the final texture of the bread. If you are sensitive to gluten, there are now plenty of gluten-free flour alternatives that work brilliantly for tunnbröd. Try to shop a little ahead of time so you can be sure everything is as fresh as possible.
Preparing the dish
Before you begin making tunnbröd, it helps to weigh out and lay out all your ingredients carefully. This keeps the process smooth and means nothing gets forgotten. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then gradually work in the water and olive oil. Knead the dough until it is smooth and even, then let it rest for about 30 minutes so the ingredients can meld together properly.
Step-by-step instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, salt and sugar.
- Add the water and olive oil and stir until well combined.
- Knead the dough firmly until it turns smooth and supple.
- Divide the dough into 4–5 equal portions and press each one flat.
- On a floured surface, roll each portion out thinly with a rolling pin.
- Preheat a non-stick pan over medium heat and cook the tunnbröd until golden brown.
- Let the finished flatbreads cool on a tea towel, then serve.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
For a gluten-free take on tunnbröd, use a gluten-free flour made from rice or buckwheat. These flours give a similar consistency, though the flavour may shift slightly. Make sure every other ingredient is also gluten-free to avoid any cross-contamination. For a lactose-free option there is nothing to change at all, since the basic recipe relies only on oil and water and contains no dairy.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Tunnbröd is naturally vegan, as it contains no animal products whatsoever. That means you can enjoy it freely, whatever your diet. To give the bread an extra lift, try experimenting with different herbs and spices. This can enrich its aroma and turns it into an excellent base for plant-based fillings such as vegetables, hummus or avocado.
More tips and tricks
When cooking tunnbröd, keep a close eye on the temperature of the pan. Too high and the bread scorches; too low and it takes far too long to cook through. A baking stone or a cast-iron pan can also be used for a more even result. On top of that, wrap the bread well once it comes off the heat so it stays soft and pliable.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Making tunnbröd is a wonderfully flexible affair, and you can tailor the recipe to your own preferences. Add other types of flour or grains, for example, to bring extra texture and nutrients. A scattering of aromatic herbs can also give the dough a special character, much as they do in a rustic loaf like Bagarstuga Bröd. Play with different combinations until you have created your perfect tunnbröd.
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have certain ingredients to hand, there are plenty of alternatives to fall back on. Instead of wheat flour you could use spelt flour or a blend of different flours, an approach that also suits a hearty loaf such as Rågbröd. Olive oil can easily be swapped for rapeseed oil or sunflower oil, depending on what you have. The sugar, too, can be replaced with honey or maple syrup for a subtly different flavour.
Drink pairing ideas
Tunnbröd goes beautifully with a whole range of drinks. A crisp Swedish cider or a light lager can bring out the flavours of the bread. For something non-alcoholic, sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon makes a refreshing companion. Alternatively, offer a herbal tea to round out the savoury fillings you pile onto your tunnbröd.
Serving and presentation ideas
The way you present tunnbröd can add a great deal to the pleasure of eating it. Serve the flatbreads on a handsome wooden board and garnish them with fresh herbs or edible flowers. Adding colourful mixed salads on the side makes the whole spread more inviting. Do not forget small bowls of tasty dips to broaden the range of flavours on offer.
A bit of history
Tunnbröd has a long and fascinating history in Swedish culture. It was originally made by the Vikings and has evolved over the centuries. This flatbread was a staple food in Sweden for a very long time and was often used as a way of preserving grain through the harsh winter months. Today tunnbröd is frequently served at festive occasions and family gatherings, and it remains a symbol of traditional Swedish cuisine alongside classics like the crisp Knäckebröd.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Tunnbröd
Tunnbröd is not only simple but also a truly versatile bread that you can prepare and enjoy in countless ways. It adapts easily to different dietary needs and brings Scandinavian flair to your kitchen in next to no time. Whether as an accompaniment to hearty dishes or as a filling snack in its own right, tunnbröd offers endless possibilities. Let its delicate flavours and easy preparation inspire you, and give it a try today!
