Ethiopian Homemade Injera Bread Recipe: Make classic Ethiopian sourdough crepes at home, to serve with all your favorite Ethiopian food dishes.

injera bread

Why We Love This Injera Bread Recipe

Several major American cities have large Ethiopian populations with amazing restaurants and markets throughout. Washington D.C., New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas are among the largest.

When we visit family in Dallas, we always gorge ourselves on Ethiopian recipes because we know we may not enjoy this exciting and complex cuisine again for a long time. That is, unless I decide to make it at home.

The staple that you absolutely need to know how to make in order to have delicious Ethiopian food at home is Injera, aka Ethiopian flatbread. This flatbread is always paired with other dishes to soak up the saucy meats, veggies and beans that it accompanies.

This injera recipe is easy to make and super tasty! It is slightly tangy because of the sourdough. This flavor makes it perfect to have with all of the bold flavors of Ethiopian cuisine!

ethiopian recipes

Ethiopian Recipes Often Found At Restaurants

A classic Ethiopian platter that you receive in a restaurant, is full of possibilities. There are so many bold and intriguing Ethiopian recipes it’s a little hard to nail it down the best.

I can tell you, that a family-size Ethiopian “Queen’s Platter” usually consists of:

  • 1-2 meat stews, made of chicken, beef, or lamb (Often shredded, chopped, or even serve raw like tartare.)
  • 1-2 lentil/legume dishes, such as Misir Wat
  • 1-2 cooked vegetables, including mixed vegetable stews and collard greens
  • 1 raw vegetable dish, usually simple lettuce or tomato-based salad, often with raw spicy chiles
  • and Ayib, fresh Ethiopian cheese
Ethiopian bread

EASY Injera Recipe (Ethiopian Bread)

As we don’t have Ethiopian markets in Asheville, NC, my Ethiopian recipes have had to be tweaked quite a bit.

I made quite a few adjustments to the Injera Bread Recipe to make it easier for home-cooks to not only find the ingredients but, also make it quickly.

These sourdough crepes are traditionally made with teff flour and fermented for several days before cooking. With our busy schedule, I don’t start anything 3-5 days before I plan to eat it, so this had to be addressed.

After several test runs, I ended up using a mix of standard all-purpose flour and buckwheat flour for texture and color. Then added a hefty dose of club soda and vinegar to create the fermented sourdough flavor.

The results were fantastic! Our Easy Ethiopian Bread is not only quick and easy to make in any nonstick skillet, but it’s also tender, rollable, and undoubtedly sour… With absolutely no wait time.

ethiopian injera

Ingredients for Sourdough Crepes

You can find all these ingredients at any national grocery chain…

  • All-purpose Flour – to make the sourdough crepes soft and pliable
  • Buckwheat Flour – for color and texture
  • Baking Soda  for light air bubbles
  • Salt – for flavor
  • Club Soda – also to create the bubbly texture
  • Vinegar – to create the fermented sour taste
  • Oil – for cooking
Sourdough Crepes

How to Make Injera

Injera at Ethiopian restaurants is made as large pizza-sized circular crepes. At home, you can make it in any good nonstick skillet you have available.

  1. Make the batter: Mix both types of flour, salt, and baking soda together. Whisk in the club soda until smooth. Then add the vinegar and whisk.
  2. Prep the Skillet: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Pour oil on a paper towel and wipe the skillet with the oiled paper towel to create a thin coating.
  3. Scoop and Swirl: Using a scoop, pour batter into the skillet creating a 6-inch circle. Carefully swirl the pan around to thin out the batter until it measures 8- to 9-inches across.
  4. Cook and Flip: Cook for 1 minute, then using a large spatula, flip the Injera over and cook another minute. Remove from the skillet and stack on a plate. Repeat with the remaining batter.
  5. Roll and Serve: Once finished cooking the Injera. Cut the circles in half with a pizza cutter, roll into tubes, and stack. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Get the Full (Printable) Ethiopian Injera Bread Recipe Below!

injera recipe

Make a Divine Feast Fit for Royalty!

Ethiopian “Queen” Platters are a great idea for your adventurous dinner guest’s menu. There’s nothing like sitting around a large colorful platter of exotic dishes, scooping them up with your hands. Oh, the memories you will make!

Serve fresh-made Injera Bread with…

Most of these dishes can be made ahead of time if needed.

(PS, the links to yellow peas and collards aren’t technically Ethiopian recipes, but they are similar and VERY delicious!)

injera bread

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this recipe last?

If you store Injera in the fridge, it will stay fresh for up to a week. If you store it at room temperature, it will stay fresh for only a couple of days.

Can I freeze this bread?

Yes, this bread can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s easiest to pull apart if you separate each piece with wax paper before thoroughly wrapping it in plastic, or placing in large freezer bags. Keeping it in the freezer too long will result in a textural change. Thaw in the microwave or a warm oven, covered in a damp paper towel to soften.

What about the Teff flour?

Teff flour is the flour most commonly used in Ethiopia. It is light and naturally gluten-free, but not always easy to find. If you do find it, you can use it in this recipe in place of the all-purpose flour and buckwheat flour, 4 cups total.

What Other Side Dishes Can I Make?

There are some non-traditional ethiopian dishes you can pair with this bread which can include vegetables (like green beans, cabbage, potatoes, or carrots). You can focus this platter on a vegan-style dish, or vegetarian dish with more grains, porridge, and chickpeas rather than meats. You could even serve it alongside your favorite fruits, like mango or papaya.

Ethiopian food Recipes

Other Great Recipes

Check the printable recipe card below for the nutrition information including calories, carbohydrates, protein, and calcium percentages.

injera bread
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Ethiopian Injera Bread Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes
Make classic Ethiopian sourdough crepes at home, the EASY WAY, to serve with all your favorite Ethiopian dishes.
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix both flours, salt, and baking soda together. Whisk in the club soda until smooth. Then add the vinegar and whisk.
  • Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pour oil on a paper towel and wipe the skillet with the oiled paper towel. This creates a thin fatty layer to make it easier to flip the crepes.
  • Using a scoop, pour batter into the skillet creating a 6-inch circle. Quickly and carefully swirl the pan around to thin out the batter until it measures 8- to 9-inches across.
  • Cook for 1 minute, then using a large spatula, flip the Injera over and cook another minute. Remove from the skillet and stack on a plate. Repeat with remaining batter. The Injera will seem slightly crisp in the pan, but will soften immediately when placed on the plate. The stacking also helps steam and soften the Injera sourdough crepes.
  • Once finished cooking the Injera. Cut the circles in half with a pizza cutter, roll into tubes and stack. Keep warm until ready to serve. Serve the Injera with Doro Wat or Mesir Wat, tearing pieces of Injera and using it to pick up the Doro Wat.

Notes

Injera can be made ahead and frozen. Thaw in the microwave or a warm oven, covered in a damp paper towel.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 227kcal, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1140mg, Potassium: 140mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 3mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Ethiopian
Author: Sommer Collier
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