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Puffy Pita Bread
5 from 12 votes

Puffy Pita Bread

Puffy Pita Bread is made by kneading a dough of warm water, active dry yeast, all-purpose and whole wheat flours, sea salt, and olive oil to create soft, slightly chewy pockets. The dough undergoes a rise before being divided, rolled out, and baked at very high temperature, encouraging the characteristic puff that separates the bread into two layers. The result is pita bread with a tender crumb and a hollow center ideal for stuffing.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Additional Time
1 hr 20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 43 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 203 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Ingredients

  • 195 ml water warm
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 270 g all-purpose flour
  • 30 g whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt sea salt
  • 15 ml olive oil

Instructions

Make the dough:
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  1. In a bowl, combine warm water with active dry yeast. Give it a stir and let the yeast bubble and activate. Set aside.
  2. In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook, add in all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sea salt and olive oil.
  3. Once the yeast has activated, pour it into the flour mixture and knead until the dough becomes smooth and shiny, about 8-10 minutes.
  4. If the dough is too moist, add 1 tablespoon of flour and continue kneading. It should be tacky, but not overly sticky. Refrain from adding too much flour.
  5. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a lid or plastic wrap.
  6. Leave it to rest in a warm location until doubled in size, about 1-1.5 hours.
Shape and bake the dough:
  1. Preheat a baking steel on the very bottom rack of the oven to 500°F/260°C.
  2. Prepare 6 parchment paper squares, about 6-7" in diameter. Set aside.
  3. Once the dough has risen, divide it into 6 equal portions, about 85g each.
  4. Use a rolling pin to flatten and roll out the dough to a round about 6" in diameter, about ⅛" thickness.
  5. Place the dough onto the parchment square.
  6. Repeat with the remainder.
  7. Use a pizza peel to place 2-3 dough rounds onto the baking steel.
  8. Bake at 500°F/260°C for 2 minutes, until puffed up.
  9. Use a pair of tongs to carefully flip over the pitas, and bake for 1 more minute.
  10. Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.
  11. Repeat with the remaining pitas.
  12. Cool completely before cutting open.

Notes

  • Using a higher oven temperature, up to 550°F, helps the pita puff more fully.
  • Avoid adding excessive flour during kneading to maintain a pliable dough.
  • Preheat baking steel rather than a regular baking sheet for better heat retention and puffing.

Nutrition Information

Calories 203kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 0.4g (2%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g (3%) Monounsaturated Fat 2g (10%) Sodium 396mg (17%) Potassium 71mg (2%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 0.1g (0%) Vitamin A 0.5IU (0%) Vitamin C 0.002mg (0%) Calcium 10mg (1%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 203

% Daily Value*

Calories 203kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 0.4g 2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g 3%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Sodium 396mg 17%
Potassium 71mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 0.1g 0%
Vitamin A 0.5IU 0%
Vitamin C 0.002mg 0%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 2mg 11%

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

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