3. Flat bread made from batter:[1]

Important note:

All the below cases apply even to batter that is made using flour and water without any other ingredient. We can call this batter bread, or bread made from a batter. Many of the cuisines made from batter are sweet and also enter into the category of Pas Haba Bekisnin which is discussed in Halacha 6, irrelevant of this discussion.

1. Lachmaniyos – Thin baked product from flour water batter [i.e. Thin baked sweetless Pancake[2]]:[3]

Its blessing: The blessing over Lachmaniyos is Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and requires the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda].

Its definition: Lachmaniyos are thin and soft breads that are made as follows: A thin batter is made from five grain flour and a larger than usual amount of water. The batter is so thin that it cannot be kneaded due to its thinness. It is then baked in an oven or pan without any liquid. However, some Poskim are stringent and rule that only if either the batter or the final baked product is very very thin is it defined as Lachmaniyos which are Mezonos. However if both the batter and the baking is semi thick, then its blessing is Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon.

Final ruling – Very thin batter or baking: Practically, the final ruling is that if the batter is very thin but baked thick or the batter is not thin but is baked into very thin bread, then it has status of Mezonos bread which is Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and requires the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda].

Final ruling – Not very thin baking nor batter: If, however, neither the batter nor final baked product is very thin, then one is to be cautious for the above stringent opinion and only eat such bread within a meal [and only for the purpose of satiation], as rules the stringent opinion above. In a time of need, however, one can say Mezonos and Al Hamichya on such breads, as rules the lenient opinion above, although it is proper to wash one’s hands without a blessing.

1. Truknin – Thick baked product from flour water batter [i.e. Cake, Thick Baked sweetless Pancakes]:[4]

Its Law: The blessing over Truknin bread is Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and requires the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda].

Its Definition: It is a very, very, thin batter which is baked into a thick bread, as it is poured into a steep hole in the oven.  It is thus a little thick after the baking. However, there are those who are stringent and rule that if the batter is not very thin and the baking is not very thin then it is Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon. However if both the batter and the baking is semi thick it is Hamotzi.

The Final Ruling – Batter very very thin: If the batter is very, very, thin and has been baked into semi thick bread, then according to all its blessing is Mezonos and Al Hamichya when eaten as a snack, and requires the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda].

The Final Ruling – Batter is not very very thin: If, however, the batter is not very, very, thin, then one should suspect for the above stringent opinion and only eat this bread within a meal [and only for the purpose of satiation]. In a time of need, one is to say the blessing of Mezonos and Al Hamichya on such breads, although it is proper to wash one’s hands without a blessing.

1. Terisa – Very thin flour water batter and baked product [i.e. Crepe[5]]:[6]

Its Definition: It is a very very very thin batter which is baked by pouring it onto a hot surface and the resultant cake is very very very thin.

Its Law: The blessing over Terisa bread is Mezonos and Al Hamichya even if one establishes a meal over it. However some Poskim rule that if one sets a meal over it, then its blessing is Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon, just as is the law regarding Trukinin. Practically, one should suspect for their opinion and thus only set a meal on Trisa bread if he eats a Kezayis of real bread beforehand.

Summary – Bread made from a batter of water and flour:

All baked bread that is made from a thin batter of water and flour, as opposed to being made from thick dough is to have the blessing of Mezonos and Al Hamichya recited when eaten it as a snack, and the blessing of Hamotzi and Birchas Hamazon when eaten as a meal [i.e. Kevius Seuda], with exception to the following cases:

1. Not thin batter nor product: Both the batter and the final baked product is thick to some degree in which case one is to only eat such bread within a meal, however, in a time of need, one can say Mezonos and Al Hamichya.
2. Thick product: The batter is not very, very, thin, and the final baked product is thick in which case one is to only eat such bread within a meal, however, in a time of need, one can say Mezonos and Al Hamichya.
3. Very thin batter and baked product: The batter and final baked product is very very thin, in which case one should not set a meal over the product unless it is eaten within a meal over real bread.

Chart for Batter Flat bread

1. Fried Batter:

Sizzling or Pan Fried dough or batter – Non-deep fried dough and batter:[7] All liquidly batter made from five grain flour which is fried in a nice amount of oil, similar to Latkes, have the same status as boiled or deep fried dough, and hence the before blessing is Mezonos and the after blessing of is Al Hamichya. This applies irrelevant of how much one eats and even if one sets a meal on it.

Non-Stick Coating or Greasing – dough or batter:[8] All liquidly batter made from five grain flour which is fried in a very small amount of oil simply so it does not stick, one is to recite Mezonos and Al Hamichya if one does not set a meal over it, and is to recite Hamotzi and Birchas Haamzon if one sets meal over it.

4. Flat bread made from dough:[9]

All dough made from five grain flour which is baked, irrelevant of thinness, has the same status as baked bread and hence one is to recite Hamotzi on any amount of it that one consumes and recite Birchas Hamazon if he ate a Kezayis within Achilas Peras.

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[1] See Seder 2:7-9; Luach 8:3-12; Admur 168:7-18; Michaber 168:7; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:5-8; Piskeiy Teshuvos 168:8-22

[2] A crêpe is ultra-thin and soft, made from a simple batter of flour, water or milk, and often a pinch of salt, cooked in a frying pan. It is similar to the Lachmaniyos described here.

[3] Seder 2:5-6; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:2

[4] Seder 2:5-6; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:3

[5] Crepes are generally much thinner than pancakes. Crepes are typically paper-thin and have a delicate texture, whereas pancakes are fluffier and thicker.

[6] Seder 2:5-6; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:34

[7] Seder 2:11; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:8                  

[8] Seder 2:11; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:8

[9] Seder 2:11; Ketzos Hashulchan 48:9 footnote 23