Homemade Pita Bread Recipe

Of all the breads that exist in the world, some variations are just better than others. Bread can be delicious as is, but some kinds can be a bit overbearing or boring, leaving you longing for something else. On the other hand, there are types of bread that are wonderfully versatile — and pita bread definitely fits into this category!

While pita bread is pretty plain on its own, this delicious Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flatbread serves as the perfect starting point for exquisite snacks and meals. While pita bread can be purchased at a store or bakery, you get an extra layer of goodness when you bake it at home. And with recipe developer and wellness coach Miriam Hahn's homemade pita bread recipe, you can enjoy all the pita that your heart desires without having to cross an ocean or even step foot outside.

"Pita bread is so delicious and goes with so many things," Hahn says of the popular flatbread. "I love it with hummus, curry dishes, lentil dishes, salads, buddha bowls. My favorite thing to do with it is stuff it with hummus and roasted vegetables." Many people also love pita with tzatziki or really any vegetable-based dip or topping. If you love pita bread but want something much fresher and even more delicious than store-bought, this recipe is exactly what you've been looking for!

Pita bread, like many types of bread, only requires a few simple ingredients, but the results yield something immaculately fresh and delicious! For this homemade pita bread recipe, you'll need whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, active dry yeast, sugar, warm water, olive oil, and salt. You'll also need an oven to cook the bread in, as well as a cast-iron pan. And, while pita bread is delicious on its own, you might want something to serve along with it, even if it's as simple as hummus or some other dip or sauce.

Now that you have the ingredients sorted, you can go ahead and activate your yeast and get the mixture going. To start, put the warm (not hot!) water in a large bowl. Add in the yeast and sugar and then stir with a whisk until both of these ingredients have dissolved into the water. 

Then, add in the whole wheat flour and a ¼ cup of the all-purpose flour, before mixing again with the whisk. Set the bowl aside, uncovered, for 30 minutes. When you return to the bowl, your mixture will look bubbly on the surface — this means that the yeast is active.

Once you've activated your yeast mixture, go ahead and add in the rest of your ingredients, including the olive oil, salt, and the rest of your flour. Mix all of these ingredients until they're thoroughly combined with your yeast mixture, and then knead the loose dough in the bowl for a minute. 

Then, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for two more minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes, and then knead for another two. If at any time the dough is sticking to your hands or the board, simply add a little more flour into the mix to ease some of the stickiness. 

After you've finished kneading your dough, go ahead and put it into a large, clean bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, and then cover it with a dish towel. Now for the hard part: Let your dough sit, untouched, for at least an hour. During this time, you want the dough to double in size, as shown in the picture. It's tempting to rush the rising step, but it's crucial if you want the proper flavor and texture for your pita bread. Once you see that the dough has doubled in size, you're finally ready to bake!

Once your dough is done rising, preheat your oven to 475 F and place a cast-iron pan or heavy-duty baking sheet in the oven to heat. Then, take your dough and cut it into eight even pieces, which will be your pita bread slices. Flatten each slice with your hand, and then using a rolling pin, roll each one into an 8-inch diameter disc. Once your oven is preheated, carefully place one of the dough pieces in the cast-iron or baking sheet. Cook for two minutes, until the dough puffs up like the picture shows. At that point, turn the bread over and cook for an additional minute. Repeat this process with all eight of the dough balls.

After you're finished cooking the pita bread, it's time for the best part: eating it! You'll notice an exquisite freshness to the bread that really only exists when its homemade. 

Enjoy the breads as a simple snack with hummus or turn your pita into a flatbread pizza. With leftovers, Hahn suggests cutting the pita bread slices into triangles and heating them up in the oven to make your own pita chips. The possibilities are truly endless! 

However you eat them, you'll enjoy the freshness and versatility of this homemade pita bread recipe time and time again.