This Mediterranean Flatbread is a fun and easy family dinner where everyone can build their own section! Prepare the toppings ahead and it only takes 25 minutes to cook!

This is no kids-party-cheese-pizza! Nope, this is a magical, transformational, perhaps even life-changing Mediterranean Flatbread with layers and layers of flavor! Let the kids keep their plain cheese on make-your-own pizza night, this is YOUR Pizza. This Flatbread has a crispy crust, salty and briny Olive Tapenade, creamy mozzarella, earthy and meaty mushrooms, peppery pancetta, and fresh basil.
While I used a Gluten Free dough (see below), you can certainly use a regular ‘with-gluten’ dough. Either way, this recipe is perfect for outdoors during the Summer, or cozying up inside!
Olives make it Healthy-ish?
Ok, who am I kidding, this recipe is not for your health, it’s for your taste buds! However, if you do need some rationalization to indulge in this decadent Flatbread, then I present you the MIGHTY OLIVE!
As I mentioned on the blog before, they are high in fat, however, it’s a good oleic fat that has been linked to decreased inflammation and a reduced risk of heart disease. They are also a good source of vitamin E, which is a powerful antioxidant. For more on the health benefits of Olives, check out this article from HeathLine.com.
Here are a couple more of my favorite Olive recipes. Try this Creamy Olive Chicken Bake and never have bland chicken again! Or my Pimiento Olive Dip for your next party or just for snacking with veggies!
Quick note! This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them. This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :). But, I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used.
PREP-AHEAD STEPS FOR MEDITERRANEAN FLATBREAD
We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you prepare in the day(s) in advance and store in the fridge as your meal Kit… (See the recipe below for more details)
For this Flatbread recipe, you can prepare all of the toppings in advance and keep them in the fridge. You can even precook the crust (instructions under Cooking section) and store that in the fridge.
Let’s start with the first layer, the delicious Olive Tapenade. In a mini food processor, the olives, garlic, and olive oil. Pulse and then blend until completely blended and forming a paste.
Slice the pancetta into small pieces. Slice the mushrooms if not already sliced.
To a preheated large skillet, add the pancetta and to render the fat and start to crisp it up, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the pancetta pieces to a plate, leaving the fat in the pan.
Add the sliced mushrooms to pancetta fat in the hot pan and sauté until lightly browned and softened.
At this point, you can continue to assemble and cook the flatbread or store the ingredients in the fridge. Wait to cut the basil until you are ready to cook.
COOK YOUR MEDITERRANEAN FLATBREAD
Start with your favorite pizza dough. I used Wholly Wholesome Gluten-Free Pizza Dough. If you’re using Regular Gluten Pizza Dough, you will want to roll it out on a lightly floured surface and then stretch it out gently to form a large rectangle. If you’re using Gluten-Free Pizza Dough, like I did, then simply press it out directly into a pan. Either way, the goal is to get a very thin rectangle layer (as thin as you can go without breaking it) to go in the large sheet pan, filling up as much space as possible. If you do rip the dough or create a whole, simply press it back together again.
For a really crispy crust, I like to prebake the crust for 10 minutes, then take out and set aside until ready to assemble.
Spread a thin layer of the olive tapenade over the flatbread, then top with mozzarella
Spread the mushrooms around, then add the pancetta.
Cook in oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden and crust is starting to lightly brown.
Now, stay back kids! This one’s for Mom and Dad!
ENJOY! 😍 Carrie
RECIPE FAQS
What can I use instead of Pancetta?
If you cannot find pancetta, you can substitute with bacon or even chopped up ham. You can also leave the meat off entirely.
Can I make this ahead or freeze it and reheat it?
Yes, you can make it in advance and reheat it in the oven so that it crisps up again. After cooking, this will last in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it and place back in the oven directly frozen at 375 F degrees for about 20 minutes or until warmed through and crisped up again
Can I grill this flatbread?
You can grill this on an indoor or outdoor grill. You will want the heat level to be medium or medium-low. Grill the flatbread first for about 2-4 minutes on both sides without any toppings to cook through. Then add the toppings and place back on the grill covered for 2-4 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Olive Tapenade and Pancetta Flatbread
Ingredients
- 8 oz Pizza Dough fresh or frozen I used a gluten free dough
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- 1 clove garlic, rough chopped
- ¼ lb Pancetta
- 1 cup Cremini or white button mushrooms sliced
- 8 oz Shredded Low-Moisture Mozzarella
- ¼ Cup Basil
Instructions
Prep Ahead
- Slice the pancetta into small pieces. Slice the mushrooms.
- To a preheated large skillet, add the pancetta and to render the fat and start to crisp it up, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the pancetta pieces to a plate, leaving the fat in the pan.
- Add sliced mushrooms to hot pan and sauté until lightly browned and softened.
- In a mini processor, add the olives, garlic, and 2 tablespoon olive oil. Pulse until completely ground and forming a paste.
- At this point, you can continue to assemble and cook the flatbread or store the ingredients in the fridge. Wait to cut the basil until you are ready to cook.
Assemble and Cook Flatbread
- Preheat Oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil the bottom of a large sheet pan.
- Regular Gluten Pizza Dough: Roll out on a lightly floured surface and then stretch it out lightly.Gluten-Free Pizza Dough: Press it out directly into a pan For either of the above dough methods, you want to get a very thin rectangle layer (as thin as you can go without breaking it) to go in the large sheet pan, filling up as much space as possible. If you do rip the dough or create a whole, simply press it back together again.
- For a crunchy crust, cook in oven for 10 minutes, then take out and set aside until ready to assemble
- Spread a thin layer of the olive tapenade over the flatbread, then top with mozzarella
- Spread the mushrooms around, then add the pancetta.
- Cook in oven for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden and crust is starting to brown. While it's cooking, roll the Basil and then thinly slice (chiffonade)
- When you take the flatbread out, sprinkle the Basil all over top. Cut into 6 large pieces and enjoy!
Notes
- I used Wholly Wholesome Gluten Free Dough for this recipe. However, you can use any premade dough that you prefer or find at the store in the refrigerated section. You can also check for frozen dough if nothing fresh is available.
- If you cannot find pancetta, you can substitute with bacon or even chopped up ham. You can also leave the meat off entirely.
- You can make this flatbread in advance and reheat it in the oven so that it crisps up again. After cooking, this will last in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it and place back in the oven directly frozen at 375 F degrees for about 20 minutes or until warmed through and crisped up again
- To cook this, you can also grill it on an indoor or outdoor grill. You will want the heat level to be medium or medium-low. Grill the flatbread first for about 2-4 minutes on both sides without any toppings to cook through. Then add the toppings and place back on the grill covered for 2-4 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Chef Mimi says
This is gorgeous! I love Mediterranean flavors, and this one has a lot of them! Great idea to use the processed olives as a base, and your mushrooms look perfect! I like them with some color, or else they’re somewhat anemic to me! Beautiful.