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Homemade Pita Bread

Best Pita Bread

Monica
Welcome to my quest for the elusive perfectly puffing pita pocket. Follow along for the tidbits I have learned along the way!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups All Purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon Active Dry Yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups water luke warm
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil plus additional for drizzling

Instructions
 

  • Whisk flour, salt and yeast in a large bowl.
  • Warm up the water and pour water and olive oil into bowl.
  • Combine using a spoon until you've got what can best be described as a shaggy dough.
  • Now with your hands knead dough in the bowl until it comes together into a sticky ball.
  • Drizzle with additional olive oil and turn over to coat both sides.
  • Cover, place in a warm spot and allow to proof for 90 minutes. (it should double in size)

ONE OF THE KEYS TO PERFECT PITA POCKETS IS BEING EVER SO GENTLE WHEN KNEADING AND FORMING THE PITAS!

  • Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface. You will want to knead it briefly and gently to get a slightly smoother dough. Portion dough into 12 equal pieces. Take each piece and gently form into a small ball. I place each ball on a parchment square big enough to roll it into a roughly six inch circle. Leave covered for about 20 minutes.
  • While you are waiting, place a cast iron skillet/comal, pizza stone or sheet pan onto the rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees.
  • Flatten each ball gently and use a rolling pin to roll into rounds about 5 to 6 inches in diameter and close to a quarter inch thick.
  • Let rest for 15 minutes covered with a towel to not dry out.
  • ANOTHER KEY TO PERFECT PITA POCKETS IS HAVING THE PAN YOU COOK ON AND THE OVEN HOT ENOUGH TO CREATE THE STEAM TO PUFF THEM.
  • Carefully , leaving each pita on its parchment paper, place up to three pitas into the oven at a time. Set a timer for two minutes. (best results come with turning oven to broil for the last minute of cooking to really puff them up) and remove when pitas are light golden in color and puffed kind of like a whoopie cushion. :)
  • WATCH PITAS CAREFULLY WHEN BROILING. YOU DON'T WANT TO BURN THEM!
  • Place in a tea towel lined bowl and cover to keep soft.
  • When ready to serve, cut in half and gently open for stuffing.
  • They should keep well in the freezer for about 3 months.
  • Enjoy!