When it comes to flatbread, one of the first types you may think of is pita bread. It’s delicious, easy to make, and versatile!
Pita bread is often found in the Middle East, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Greece. However, its popularity has spread worldwide as local dishes, such as gyros and shawarma, became internationally famous.
If you are a fan of these dishes and want to prepare warm, soft, and fresh homemade pita bread, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s the easiest recipe you’ll ever find.
With only a few ingredients and in less time than you think, you’ll have golden brown pita bread to eat the way you like it best.
What Is Pita Bread?
While it’s found across the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean region, pita bread is actually Greek. It’s a firm yet soft flatbread often served with different dips and spreads, including hummus, tzatziki, and melitzanosalata.
Some versions have a pocket and can be stuffed, so they’re perfect for making sandwiches or similar dishes. Pita bread is also served as thin, crispy triangular crackers that you can dip in your favorite sauces!
Overall, the recipe to make pita bread is the same worldwide. It has flour, yeast, water, and a little bit of sugar and salt. Some people add herbs and spices for extra flavor.
In terms of texture, pita bread is soft and slightly chewy. That’s why it’s widely used as a staple for different dishes.
Pita bread is usually baked in hot ovens with stone surfaces. However, as it has become more popular, this flatbread is also made in commercial bakeries with ovens that go up to 800-900F.
Fortunately, you can also make it at home, even if you don’t have a stone oven or industrial tools. Do you want to know how? Find the recipe below!
Ingredients to Make Pita Bread
If you want to prepare pita bread at home, you have to find the right ingredients. These are:
- 1 cup water
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (you can also use 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour and 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour)
- 2 tsp dry yeast
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
Once you have all the ingredients, you can get down to work and start making this delicious pita bread! These are the steps you must follow:
#1 Prepare a Yeast Sponge
Add a cup of lukewarm water to a large mixing bowl. Then, add the yeast and sugar, mixing well until both ingredients are completely dissolved.
After that, add just ½ cup of flour and mix until combined. Take the mixing bowl to a warm place and let the mixture rest for a few minutes.
In about 15 minutes, a loose sponge should have formed. If the mixture is bubbling, it’s ready!
#2 Make the Pita Dough
Once the yeast sponge has formed, add the salt, olive oil, and the rest of the flour. Save about ½ cup of flour for later.
Stir until the mixture has a shaggy texture. If you notice that the dough looks like a mess and is very sticky, don’t worry. In this step, it hasn’t developed enough gluten.
The kneading begins at this point. Sprinkle in some more flour and knead the mixture in the bowl for about a minute. Don’t forget to incorporate any loose bits!
#3 Knead the Pita Dough
Sprinkle some more flour on a clean work surface and put the mixture there. Knead lightly for two minutes or less. Once the dough is smooth, cover it with a dry towel and let it rest for at least 10 minutes.
After the first rest period, knead again for two more minutes. If you notice that the dough is a bit wet, don’t worry! You can sprinkle in a little more flour to make it more manageable, but be careful not to add too much.
#4 Let the Pita Dough Rise
Once you are done with the kneading, you must let the dough rise. Put it in a clean mixing bowl and lightly cover it with extra virgin olive oil.
The dough should be entirely covered with olive oil for the best results. Therefore, you should turn it a few times inside the bowl and add more oil if necessary.
Then, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place the dry kitchen towel on top. Take the mixing bowl with the dough to a warm place and let it rest for at least an hour or until it doubles in size.
#5 Divide the Dough into Small Balls
Did the dough rise to twice its size? Now, you need to deflate it and take it back to the clean work surface.
Divide the dough into equal parts, shaping them into balls. You’ll have 7 or 8 pieces. Cover them with a towel and let them rest for 10 minutes.
#6 Shape Each Piece
After each piece rests, you should roll each into a circle using a floured rolling pin. Ideally, each ball should be 8-9 inches wide and ¼ thick.
If you’re having trouble with the dough sticking to the surface, just lift and turn it frequently as you roll. You can also sprinkle a little flour to make this process easier.
Sometimes, the dough gets tight and starts to spring back as you roll it. If this happens, set it aside and let it rest for a few more minutes before rolling it again.
Repeat this process with each piece of dough. If you want to finish faster, you can cook a pita bread while you roll another!
Baking or Cooking Your Pita Bread
If you already have all the pitas formed, you can bake or cook them. Both options are great, but the end result can be slightly different. Find more details about each one here!
Bake Your Pita Bread
Do you think your pitas are better baked? If so, heat the oven to 475F and place a large skillet on the middle rack. You can also use a sturdy baking tray.
Once the tray or skillet is hot, place the rolled-out pitas on it. You can work in batches and bake two or three at a time.
Bake for around two minutes. After that, carefully turn each piece over and bake for another minute until the pita bread is puffed.
When your pitas are golden brown and puffed, remove them from the oven and cover them with a clean towel while you bake the other pieces.
Cook Your Pita Bread on Stovetop
If you can’t use the oven, you can also make pita bread at home! Cooking it on the stovetop is another method widely used around the world.
In this case, you only have to heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle a little vegetable oil (extra virgin olive oil is best) and add each pita at a time.
Leave each rolled-out pita in the skillet for at least 30 seconds or until you start to see bubbles. Then, using a spatula, carefully flip each piece over and cook on the other side for a couple more minutes.
When you notice brown spots on the bottom of the bread, it’s done! However, you should be aware that the pita bread may not puff up or form a pocket with this method! Therefore, you should check each piece to see if it has been cooked correctly.
Once the pitas are cooked, cover them with a clean kitchen towel until serving.
Tips to Make the Best Homemade Pita Bread
To get the best results when making pita bread, check out these tips!
- If you want to make whole wheat pita bread, replace half of the wheat flour with whole wheat flour.
- You can also replace the wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour if you want to make a gluten-free version.
- Store the dough covered in the refrigerator for up to a week if you don’t want to bake all the pieces on the same day.
- Serve the pita bread fresh and hot out of the oven. It’s better this way!
- If you want to store baked pita bread, use an airtight bag or freeze it for up to three months.
- Use extra virgin olive oil instead of another type of vegetable oil since quality Mediterranean ingredients will help you obtain more authentic results and flavors.
- Add natural and organic spices to give your pita bread a more delicious taste.
- If the yeast doesn’t bubble when you make the sponge, repeat the step with new yeast. Otherwise, your dough won’t rise.
FAQs
How Many Calories Does a Whole Pita Bread Have?
A piece of pita bread has usually around 205 calories, but it depends on the type of flour you use.
How Can I Reheat Pita Bread If I Store the Pieces After Baking?
If you want to reheat your pita, you only have to put it in the oven or skillet over medium heat.
Why Did My Pita Go Flat?
Pita is a type of flatbread and doesn’t stay puffy once you take it out of the oven. Also, depending on the method you use, it might not form the pocket. However, you shouldn’t worry about that since the result is also delicious!
Do I Need a Stand Mixer to Make This Recipe?
No, you don’t! You can knead the dough to make pita bread by hand since you don’t need to spend too much time kneading.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to versatility, pita bread is one of the best recipes you can make.
Many believe that making pita bread is difficult, but the truth is that you only need a few ingredients and less than an hour of kneading.
Therefore, it’s the perfect option for beginner and expert cooks who want to enjoy the delights of Mediterranean cuisine!
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