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Homemade Pita Bread Recipe
4.8 from 68 votes

Homemade Pita Bread Recipe

Homemade pita bread is a soft, slightly chewy flatbread that puffs up during baking to create a hollow pocket. This recipe uses instant yeast, olive oil, and warm water to make a pliable dough that after resting and gentle rolling bakes quickly on a very hot surface. The result is warm, pillow-like pita perfect for stuffing or dipping.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Rising
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 8 pita breads
Calories: 208 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Breakfast
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 cup water warm

Instructions

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  1. Put flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a stand mixer and mix. 
  2. Add olive oil and water. Mix until the dough is formed. It can be a little sticky. Add a little flour if needed. 
  3. Cover and rest for 1 hour so the dough is doubled in size. Do not punch the dough down. 
  4. Preheat the oven and a pizza stone to 500℉. 
  5. Divide the dough into eight pieces and cover for 15 minutes to rise. 
  6. Take one dough ball and keep the rest covered. 
  7. Use your fingers to shape the dough into a disk and don't let the air out. Gently roll out the dough using a rolling pin. The disk shouldn't be thicker than ¼ inch. 
  8. Place the rolled disk on the hot pizza stone (or baking sheet) and close the oven door. Let it bake for two minutes, it will puff. 
  9. Flip the bread and bake for another two minutes. 
  10. Place the baked pita bread on a plate and cover with a towel. 
  11. Continue baking the remaining pita breads. 
  12. Store tightly in a plastic bag. 

Notes

  • Use warm water around 110°F to activate the yeast safely; too hot can kill it and too cold slows rising.
  • Allow divided dough portions to rest for 15 minutes before rolling out to ease handling.
  • Bake on a hot surface like a pizza stone or preheated baking sheet for pita to puff properly and get a crispy exterior.
  • Cover baked pitas with a towel immediately after baking to keep them soft and prevent drying.
  • Do not punch down the dough after the first rise to retain air bubbles essential for puffing.
  • Bake the pitas one or two at a time for consistent results.

Nutrition Information

Calories 208kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 34g (11%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 292mg (12%) Potassium 56mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Calcium 6mg (1%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 pita breads

Amount Per Serving

Calories 208

% Daily Value*

Calories 208kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 34g 11%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 292mg 12%
Potassium 56mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Calcium 6mg 1%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.