Why is bread flat? The most common mistakes when baking bread
Jul 11, 2025
Have you baked flatbread? Check out the most common mistakes when baking homemade sourdough bread
In this article, we will focus on why bread is flat even after you have done your best. A flat loaf is one of the most common mistakes when baking homemade bread. It can be caused by a bad sourdough starter, poorly developed dough, or even weather that speeds up the rising process too much. In this article, we will discuss the most common reasons and direct you to practical articles where you will find detailed information on how to bake delicious homemade bread without any mistakes.
1. The sourdough is already weak , overripe or immature – flat bread is produced
This is the most common mistake when baking homemade bread. Whether you use classic sourdough or lievito madre, a healthy sourdough is essential. If it is thin, acidic, or weakly active, the dough will rise but will not hold its shape. The solution is easy:
Check the status of your sourdough or start a quality sourdough from scratch:
Read how to do it in the article ↓
How to start a sourdough starter
2. Flatbread is the result of unleavened dough
One of the most common baking mistakes is over-rising dough or poorly developed gluten. When dough rises too long, it loses strength and the loaf spreads easily. Conversely, dough that doesn't yet have enough structure can't hold the loaf together - the result is flat bread with no volume.
🥖 Read what to do if the dough doesn't rise - from checking the yeast to setting the right temperature ↓
8 reasons why dough doesn't rise
3. Summer heat and over-risen dough
Summer is the season when dough rises twice as fast. If conditions, such as the amount of sourdough or the length of the rising process, are not adjusted, a typical baking mistake occurs – flat bread that spreads to the sides during rising.
See how to adjust the entire baking process in the summer and avoid a flat loaf ↓
4. Weak flour or wrong ratio of ingredients
Even the choice of flour can cause baking errors . If the flour is not strong enough or the water ratio is too high, the dough will not hold its shape. This often results in flat bread that spreads during rising. The correct choice of flour and its combination according to the type of dough will help.
🥖 Learn how to choose the right flour
🥖 Choose flour for a firm dough and a fluffy crumb
5. Insufficient or overripe yeast
Sourdough is the foundation of all bread – and when it doesn’t work properly, the result is clear: flat bread that lacks strength, flavor, and aroma. One common mistake in baking is either underripe sourdough, which doesn’t have the strength to rise the dough, or overripe sourdough, which is past its prime.
Preparing your sourdough starter correctly isn't always easy – but knowing what to look for will make your baking experience much better.
🥖 Learn how to prepare the perfect sourdough step by step ↓
Flatbread is not the end of the world
Often it's just a sign that the dough needed more time or less heat. Try one point at a time and see what makes a difference in your case. You'll see that your homemade bread will get better with each attempt.
