Homemade Pita Bread

Pita bread is a flatbread common in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. It is leavened with yeast and is mostly made with a pocket or sometimes without.

📝 Ingredients

• 3/4 - 1 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1In a small bowl put warm water, sugar and yeast, stir and leave in a warm place for 10 minutes. There should be air bubbles on the surface.
2. 2In another bowl, sift together flour and salt.
3. 3Pour in the yeast mixture. Mix and knead until you have a soft and pliable dough.
4. 4Rub oil in the bowl and roll the dough in it to coat the surface with oil. Cover the bowl and set aside for one hour in a warm place until double in size.
5. 5Knock the risen dough back.
6. 6Divide into fist-sized portions for large pita bread and smaller for small-sized bread.
7. 7Roll into balls, place on a floured surface and cover with a dishcloth, leave to rest for 10 minutes.
8. 8Place a dry pancake or frying pan over high heat.
9. 9Sprinkle a flat surface lightly with flour, and roll each ball into a 1/8-inch thin circle.
10. 10Lay on the pan and grill for about 30 seconds, until you see bubbles starting to form.
11. 11Flip and grill for 1-2 minutes, flip again and grill another 1-2 minutes, by now the bread should start puffing up.
12. 12You can press the surface gently with a fish slice to spread the bubble if it's only puffing up on one side. If it has small bubbles, press gently to encourage the formation of the pocket.
13. 13Place the Pita bread on a plate and cover with a dishcloth, tucking the sides underneath or place in a plastic bag to keep soft.
14. 14Keep cooking the rest of the Pitas.
15. 15--- For Flatbread ---
16. 16After rolling out, use the tips of your fingers to indent the surface.
17. 17Place on the hot frying pan and be pressing out the air from any bubble that forms.
18. 18--- Storage ---
19. 19Put Pita bread in an airtight bag and store it in the fridge. Warm in the microwave oven or toaster oven. Freeze Pita bread with wax paper in between or freeze separately and pack together when frozen. This will last for months.