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Easy Homemade Pita Bread with Signature Pocket

A stack of golden, freshly cooked pita bread, slightly puffed and browned, wrapped in a linen cloth.
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Make soft, fluffy pita bread from scratch using simple pantry ingredients. This recipe focuses on achieving the perfect puff for stuffing or dipping.

Ingredients

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  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup warm water (about 105-115°F)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
  3. Combine: Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Knead: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  6. Divide and rest: Punch down the dough gently. Divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. Cover the balls and let them rest for 15 minutes.
  7. Preheat: Place a pizza stone or heavy baking sheet in your oven and preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C). The surface must be very hot to create the puff.
  8. Roll out: On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough ball into a circle about 6 to 7 inches in diameter and about 1/8 inch thick.
  9. Bake: Carefully place one or two rolled pitas directly onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes. The pita should puff up completely.
  10. Finish: Remove the puffed pita bread from the oven. Stack the cooked pitas and cover them with a clean kitchen towel to keep them soft while you cook the remaining bread.

Notes

  • For garlic pita bread, brush the warm pitas with melted butter mixed with garlic powder immediately after they come out of the oven.
  • If you are planning meals for the week, this bread is a great alternative to relying on meal planning services.
  • If the dough does not puff, your oven temperature was likely too low or the baking surface was not hot enough.
  • This recipe is naturally vegetarian and vegan if you skip the optional garlic butter topping.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://carlacooking.com/easy-homemade-pita-bread-recipe-puffs/