How to make Pita Bread

Pita Bread is a Middle Eastern leavened bread which is easy to make at home from scratch. Here is how to make it.

There is absolutely nothing that I don’t like which is made with Pita Bread, be it a falafel, a sandwich or just plain bread with hummus.

The day I made fresh baked Pita Bread at home for the first time, I was a little doubtful about how it will turn up or it will taste as good as the store bought ones.

But when it came out of the oven, I was surprised. It was far better than what we get in the market.

Once you will start making it at home, you will forget the store bought breads for sure.

It is so easy to make and just need about 5 to 6 ingredients.

Other than that, it is a simple and quick recipe.

Also making the best homemade Pita Bread at home from scratch is easy on pocket and a fresh bread out of the oven is always good. Right?

What is Pita Bread?

Usually used in Middle eastern meals, it is a soft, moist and light bread that is made from all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, warm milk, instant yeast and salt.

Almost all the ingredients you will find in your everyday pantry and therefore you don’t need to go to market for buying anything specific.

The perfect Pita has their trademark pockets, which can be filled later on with some hummus, tahini, falafels and pickled vegetables to make a delicious Falafel Pita Pocket.

If you want a healthier version, you can always skip all purpose flour and make these with just whole wheat flour.

If you are looking for a Vegan version, then just skip the milk and use warm water and oil instead.

It will give you a little different texture, but it tastes amazing too.

Ingredients

How to make it without Oven?

If you don’t have an oven, you can still make it on the stove top.

Just get the dough ready and shape the bread.

Once you are done, warm a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. It should sizzle when you drop some water on the skillet. Yes, that hot!

Once the skillet is heated, wipe the water using a cloth and drizzle a little oil on the pan.

Wipe of the excess oil. Add a rolled-out pita on the skillet and let it cook for about 30 seconds, until you see bubbles starting to form.

After 30 seconds, flip and cook for 1-2 minutes on the other side, until brown spots start appearing on the bread.

Again flip it and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. In this time, it will fluff up, but if doesn’t take a clean cloth and start pressing the edges of the bread just like we do with rotis.

Make other pita just like this and keep them covered with a clean dishtowel while cooking any remaining pitas.

How to use this bread?

This bread is just delicious! Soft and freshly baked Pita can be eaten or used in many ways.

Just serve it with Hummus! Some of my favourite Hummus recipes are Classic Hummus,  Black Bean Hummus, Savoury Pumpkin Hummus, Sweet Potato Hummus, Roasted Beet Hummus, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus etc.

You can also serve it with other Mediterranean dips like Baba Ganoush or any other dip that you prefer serving with it.

Make a Falafel Pita Pocket! Fill the pockets of this soft bread with some Crispy Falafels, Hummus, Tahini and Pickled Cucumbers. You will have a delicious Pita Pocket in your hand.

You can even make a Shawarma by adding some roasted Lebanese Chicken along with Hummus, Pickled Beetroot, French Fries and Tahini.

Want something fusion? Make a Pita Bread Pizza. Add some Pizza Sauce, Vegetables/Chicken/Paneer and grate some cheese on it. Bake and enjoy!

You can even use it for your fusion rolls and wraps.

You can also make a Mezze Platter that will include Pita breads along with Hummus, Baba Ganoush, Falafels, Tabouleh and pickled Beetroot and Cucumbers.

Storage Suggestions

There are two option for you to store Pita Bread, one is store the baked bread in an air container or bag for about 2 to 3 days at room temperature, or store the dough in an air tight container in the fridge for about a week.

Bake hot pita from the dough as you need.

These soft Pita Breads freezes beautifully.

To freeze them, just wrap tightly with aluminium foil or plastic freezer wrap, or store in a zip lock freezer bag. It stays good for about 6 to 8 weeks.

Whenever you want to serve these again, take the bag out from the freezer and leave it on the countertop until thawed.

You don’t have to take it out from the freezer bag or packaging; just thaw it in the same packaging as you froze it in.

If you are in hurry and cant wait until it is thawed, you can also sprinkle some water on an individual pita bread and heat it in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds.

Step by Step Recipe

Add instant yeast, sugar and milk in a bowl and mix gently. Cover the bowl and keep aside for 10 minutes for the yeast to bloom.

Add all purpose flour, whole wheat flour and salt in a bowl and mix.

Add the yeast mixture and mix it with the flour.

Now add little water and knead to make soft dough.

Knead the dough for 5-6 minutes.

Cover the dough and keep aside for 2 hours.

Divide the dough into 10-12 equal sized balls and allow the balls to rest for 30 minutes.

Pre heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Dust and roll each ball to a 5-6 inch circle.

Arrange the circles on a baking tray and bake for 5-6 mins until puffed up and browned.

Remove the tray from the oven and let the breads cool down. Use as required.

To make on Tawa, heat a flat skillet and place the Pita bread on it.

Use a cloth to press towards the Tawa. This way it will cook properly and fluff up. Serve.