Unleavened Bread Recipe for Communion - Big Family Blessings (2024)

Having communion at home can be a wonderful experience for your family. Make this simple and super easy unleavened bread recipe for your own at home communion.

Whether you are simply having a special communion service for your family, or if you are watching your Sunday morning church service from home and want to participate in communion, you’ll want to make this easy communion wafer recipe.

What is unleavened bread?

Unleavened bread is a type of bread that is made without yeast or any other leavening agents that cause the bread to rise. Unleavened bread is typically made with a few basic ingredients such as flour, water, and sometimes salt. While leavened bread uses yeast or another leavening agent such as baking powder or baking soda to rise the bread.

Why use unleavened bread for communion?

The Last Supper, where Jesus and the disciples had the first Eucharist or communion, was a Passover meal.

During the Passover, Jews traditionally eat unleavened bread (called matzo or passover bread) as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt. Using unleavened bread in for communion replicates this passover meal. During that first communion at Passover, Jesus used the unleavened bread to represent his body, which he would give as sacrifice at the crucifiction.

Unleavened bread is also used in communion as a symbol of purity and sinlessness. The absence of leaven, which causes bread to rise through fermentation, is often associated with the absence of impurity or sin. Thus, unleavened bread is used to represent the sinless body of Christ to emphasize the holiness and purity of Jesus.

Does bread have to be unleavened for communion?

It’s important to note that not all Christian denominations require the use unleavened bread for communion. Some Protestant denominations, like Lutherans and Anglicans, may use either leavened or unleavened bread. The specific choice of bread type varies among denominations and can be influenced by theological differences, local customs, or historical practices.

Using unleavened bread during communion allows for a closer similarity to the first communion of Jesus and his disciples. Whether unleavened bread is a requirement for communion comes down to personal belief and often your denomination.

Why make homemade communion wafers?

There are many reasons for a homemade communion bread recipe. Some churches, Sunday School classes, or Bible Study groups may wish to make their own communion bread. This easy recipe makes it easy to make your own unleavened communion wafers.

In my own church we take turns gathering the supplies for communion. Some prefer to buy or order the communion wafers, while others make homemade communion bread.

Many churches are now live streaming their services, and this unleavened bread recipe allows families to easily enjoy communion at home while streaming their religious services.

**This recipe was originally posted during the height of Covid, when many of us could not meet with our churches for services or communion.

What breads are considered unleavened?

The homemade communion bread recipe we share below is unleavened.

But, maybe you’d like to know what other types of breads can also be unleavened, whether to buy a store bought unleavened bread for communion, or to try another type of homemade unleavened bread for your communion.

Of course, if unleavened bread is your goal, be sure to always double check the label! If making a homemade bread be sure to check the recipe for leavening agents (baking soda, baking powder, and yeast).

Breads that are often unleavened:

• Matzo, also spelled matzah or matzoh, is a traditional Jewish unleavened bread. It is typically made from wheat flour and water and is an essential part of the Passover Seder meal.
• Tortillas are a type of unleavened flatbread that is commonly used in Mexican and Central American cuisine. They can be made from corn or wheat flour.
• Chapati, also known as roti in some regions, is a type of unleavened flatbread from India. It is made from whole wheat flour and water, and it is a staple food in Indian cuisine.
• Lavash is a thin, soft, and flexible unleavened flatbread that is popular in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. It is made from wheat flour, water, and sometimes a little salt.
• Traditional Pita Bread is made without yeast and is considered unleavened. It is a round, pocket-style bread used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. (**some modern store bought pita, and even recipes contain yeast)
• Injera is a type of sourdough unleavened bread that is a staple in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine. It is made from teff flour and has a unique, spongy texture.

How to store unleavened bread

This unleavened bread recipe can stay fresh at room temperature for about 2 to 5 days if stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

You can store unleavened bread in the freezer. Be sure to allow the bread to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. After wrapping the bread, you can place it in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag for extra protection.

When you’re ready to use the frozen unleavened bread, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature.

If you’d like to learn how to make your own easy unleavened bread this year, this recipe is for you!

(You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post)

How to make Homemade Unleavened Bread for Communion

Ingredients:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp salt

Additional Items:

• 1 1/2” round cookie cutter
• rolling pin
• fork

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°.

Combine ingredients and knead for 3 minutes.

Roll dough to 1/8″ thick.

Cut out circles using a 1 1/2″ cookie cutter.

Transfer wafers to baking sheet.

Prick wafers with fork 2 or 3 times each.

Bake at 400° for 5-8 minutes, until just beginning to brown.

Enjoy communion as a family!

*the unleavened bread wafers will keep for 2 weeks in a container on the counter, or you can store them in the freezer to use as needed.

Unleavened Bread Recipe for Communion