Homemade Pita Bread Recipe

Pita bread is a beloved staple of Middle Eastern cuisine, known for its soft, pillowy texture and signature pocket. With a golden exterior and a light, airy interior, this versatile flatbread is perfect for scooping up dips, stuffing with savory fillings, or serving alongside your favorite meals.

Traditionally baked at high temperatures, pita bread puffs up in the oven, creating an ideal pocket for all kinds of delicious fillings. Making homemade pita bread is easier than you might expect. Once you try this recipe at home, you may never go back to store-bought!

I love making homemade bread; it is a worthwhile experience that fills the kitchen with a warm, aromatic delight and a sense of comfort. I recommend you try my khubz arabi, easy no-yeast flatbread, lavash bread, and bazlama easy Turkish flatbread recipes.

Recipe Highlights

Cultural Influence: Middle Eastern staple

Primary Cooking Technique: High-heat baking for a soft, pillowy texture with a signature pocket

Dominant Flavor Profile: Mild, with a subtle richness from olive oil

Skill Level Required: Beginner-friendly

Why This Recipe Works

We all have had those lovely pita pockets at Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants. I’m talking about those airy and light breads that are hollow in the middle and stuffed with all the good stuff.

You’ve probably also tried the store-bought ones, but let me tell you, nothing beats the warmth and freshness of homemade pita bread that elevates any meal.

This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, making it accessible even for beginners. My pita bread recipe is versatile, delicious, and perfect for any occasion.

It’s so much fun to make your own bread at home and have freshly baked bread with your meals, especially if you’re having a Mediterranean feast or adding a homemade touch!

Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Using all-purpose flour provides the perfect balance between strength and tenderness. It helps the pita puff up beautifully while maintaining a soft texture.

• Instant Yeast: It works quickly, meaning no need for proofing, making the dough rise faster. If you use active dry yeast, make sure to dissolve it in warm water with just a bit of sugar before adding it to the dry ingredients. Read about active dry yeast vs instant yeast on The Kitchn.

• Granulated Sugar: A small amount of sugar helps feed the yeast, ensuring the pita bread rises perfectly. It also adds a hint of sweetness to balance the flavors.

• Salt: In addition to enhancing the flavor, it also strengthens the gluten structure in the dough, making your pita chewy and flavorful.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: It adds a rich, slightly nutty flavor while also keeping the bread soft and pliable.

• Water: It should be warm to the touch, but not hot. Warm water activates the yeast and helps the dough rise quickly, creating the perfect airy texture for pita bread.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

Place the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk to mix. Pour the olive oil and warm water into the bowl and start mixing on medium speed using the dough hook.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Once the dough has come together, shape it into a ball and place it in a bowl. Cover with a towel and let it rise for one hour until it doubles in size.

Step 3: Pre-Shape the Dough

Place a pizza stone or a baking sheet in the oven and preheat the oven to 500°F.

Take the dough out of the bowl and divide it into eight pieces. Cover with a kitchen towel and let the dough balls rise for another 15 minutes.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

Take a dough ball while keeping the others under the towel and shape it into a ball.

Then press gently with your fingers to make it into a round disk without tearing it or letting the air out. Using a rolling pin, gently roll out the dough until it’s no thicker than ¼ inch.

Step 5: Bake the Bread

Place the rolled dough on the hot surface in the oven and bake for two minutes. The bread will start to puff. Flip and bake for another minute.

Place the freshly baked pita on a plate and cover with a towel so it won’t dry. Continue with the remaining dough.

How to Serve Pita Bread

Whether served warm or toasted, Pita bread is an incredibly versatile classic Middle Eastern bread and pairs well with various dishes.

For a delightful mezze platter, serve pita bread with an assortment of dips such as tzatziki sauce, melitzanosalata, spicy hummus, baba ganoush, labneh, and muhammara. The soft, pillowy texture of pita complements these flavors perfectly, making it an ideal choice for dipping.

Whether served warm or toasted, pita bread is perfect for creating pockets and sandwiches. Try filling pita pockets with savory options like beef shawarma, lamb shawarma, chicken shawarma, homemade falafel, shish tawook, chicken gyro, or chicken souvlaki.

Add toum, zhoug, and pickled turnips to your sandwich or wrap for a flavorful twist. You can even opt for a vegetarian version with Lebanese spicy potatoes (batata harra).

You can also use it to make arayes or transform it into pita chips for dipping into homemade hummus. Its versatility ensures that pita bread enhances every meal with its delicious, adaptable nature.

Making Pita Chips

Crispy pita chips is like Middle Eastern croutons! You can add it to different salads, the most popular being fattoush salad. It’s so delicious, easy to make, and adds extra crunch to your salads.

To make crispy pita bread, follow the simple instructions below:

First, heat olive oil in a pan. Then, tear the bread into bite-size pieces.

After that, fry in the olive oil with some salt and sumac. Finally, place on paper towels to get rid of excess oil.

Variations and Substitutes

Gluten-Free Pita: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Keep in mind that the texture may differ slightly.

Olive Oil Substitutes: Instead of extra virgin olive oil, you can use regular olive oil or avocado oil.

Herbed Pita: Enhance your pita with the addition of herbs like oregano, thyme, or za’atar mixed into the dough. This adds a fragrant flavor that is perfect for Mediterranean dishes.

Storage

Room Temperature: Place the pita in an airtight plastic bag or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap to maintain freshness. Store pita bread at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator: If you plan to store pita bread for up to a week, keep it in the fridge. Wrap the pita in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. When ready to serve, reheat in a warm oven or on a skillet to bring back its softness.

Freezer: For longer storage, separate each pita with a layer of parchment or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. Wrap the stack tightly in aluminum foil, or place the pita in a freezer-safe plastic bag.

Reheating Frozen Pita: To reheat frozen pita bread, allow it to thaw in the fridge or at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 250°F, wrap a few pita breads in an aluminum foil, and place them in the oven for about 10-12 minutes until they’re fully warm. Serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions