This homemade pita bread recipe creates soft, flavorful, and delightfully puffy bread. With a touch of Greek yogurt, it delivers a tangy, sourdough-like flavor and a texture that surpasses any store-bought pita.
Dear Lykkers, whether enjoyed plain, with fillings, or as a dip companion, this recipe is bound to impress.
Ingredients
¾ cup warm water
1 package active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon sugar
3¾ cups bread flour (469 grams), plus more for dusting
1½ teaspoons sea salt
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the bowl
¾ cup whole-milk Greek yogurt
How to Make Pita Bread
Prepare the dough: Activate the yeast by mixing it with warm water and a teaspoon of sugar. When the yeast mixture foams, combine it with flour, salt, remaining sugar, oil, and yogurt in a stand mixer or bowl. Knead the dough until it’s soft and slightly sticky, about 7–10 minutes.
Let the dough rise: Transfer the kneaded dough to an oiled bowl, cover with a kitchen towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise for about 2 hours or until doubled in size.
Shape the dough: Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll them into balls. Cover and let the balls rest for 20 minutes.
Roll out the pita: Use a rolling pin to flatten each ball into a 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick circle on a lightly floured surface. Keep unused dough covered to prevent drying out.
How to Make Pita Bread
Video by Preppy Kitchen
Bake the pita: Preheat the oven to 500°F. Place dough circles on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake one sheet at a time until puffy and golden brown, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer the baked pita to a wire rack to cool.
Tips for Perfect Pita Bread
Weigh the flour: For accuracy, use a kitchen scale to measure the flour. If unavailable, ensure consistent measuring techniques to avoid dense dough.
Bake one sheet at a time: For even cooking, bake one sheet on the center rack to allow proper puffing.
Rotate the pan: Begin checking the bread at 5 minutes. Rotate the pan if needed to achieve even puffiness and browning.
Freeze extras: For later use, freeze half the batch before browning fully. Reheat frozen pita in a toaster for fresh-tasting results.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile pita bread pairs well with various dishes and flavors:
Fill with falafel, pickled onions, tahini sauce, and herbs.
Use as a base for egg salad, chickpea salad, or vegan alternatives.
Slice into wedges for crudité platters with white bean dip and veggies.
Scoop up shakshuka, baked feta, or grilled vegetables with tzatziki sauce.
Top with peanut butter, banana slices, or honey for a sweet snack.
Dip into hummus, baba ganoush, or muhammara.
Enjoy this pita bread warm and freshly baked for the best experience!
