Homemade Pita Bread: A Step-by-Step Guide

Pita bread is a Middle Eastern flatbread that’s perfect for carrying all kinds of delicious things or toasting for a delicious panzanella salad.

Making pita bread at home can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite easy, and the results are well worth it.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps of making homemade pita bread, from making the dough to baking it in the oven.

How to Make Homemade Pita Bread

Making the Dough

To make the dough, you’ll need warm water, sugar, active dry yeast, flour, salt, and olive oil.

Start by adding warm water (around 110 degrees) to the bowl of your stand mixer, along with half a teaspoon of sugar and a quarter-ounce package of active dry yeast.

Mix this up until it’s well combined, and then add in half a cup of flour to give the yeast a head start. Let this mixture sit for 15 minutes while it activates.

After 15 minutes, add one teaspoon of salt, two tablespoons of olive oil, and the remaining two and a half cups of all-purpose flour to the bowl.

Stir the mixture together until you have a nice, shaggy dough. Knead the dough on low for about three minutes using a dough hook or by hand until it comes together.

Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Preheating the Oven

While the dough is resting, preheat your oven to 475 degrees. You’ll want to use either a heavy sheet pan, a pizza stone, or a griddle plate, and place it on the lowest rack in your oven.

The surface needs to be screaming hot for the pitas to bake properly.

Kneading the Dough

After the dough has rested, knead it again for another minute or two until it becomes its silky, supple best self.

Let the dough rest and rise for about an hour until it doubles in size. Cover the bowl with a damp towel, a bonnet, or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, cozy place.

Shaping the Dough

Once the dough has doubled in size, punch it down and divide it into eight equal pieces.

Shape each piece into a ball by tucking the corners under until you have a smooth, round ball of dough.

Sprinkle a light amount of flour on top and invert your warm dough balls onto a floured surface.

Baking the Pitas

Bake the pitas in the oven for 2-3 minutes until they puff up and turn golden brown.

Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

Making homemade pita bread is an easy and delicious way to add a Middle Eastern flair to your meals.

From the dough to the baking, the process is straightforward and the results are well worth the effort.

Whether you’re using it as a vehicle for your favorite fillings or as a base for a salad, homemade pita bread is sure to be a hit.

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