Pita bread has many applications. You can pair it with dips, make a sandwich out of it, or eat it with a cup of soup. I like to toast my pita and munch on it with salads. The possibilities are endless.
Simple and popular snack with the kids
The other advantage of pita bread is that it’s easy to make. You don’t need any fancy ingredients, and you can bake it in a flash.
It only takes about 3-5 minutes to bake pita at high heat once the dough is ready.
Many delicious ways to enjoy pita bread
My kids can’t get enough of this type of bread either. They love snacking on pita and dipping it in hummus or Lebneh cheese. A type of kefir cream cheese that has a slightly tart taste.
Toasting pita and then spreading some avocado on top, makes it a perfect avocado toast and a healthy snack.
Bring the flavor of the Mediterranean home
If you have friends coming over, you can make this simple pita recipe and serve it with a side of olive oil mixed with garlic and herbs.
Or, mix quarter of a cup of olive oil, with a quarter teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of fresh rosemary. You’ll think you’re sitting by the Mediterranean sea as you enjoy your pita dipped in this flavor-infused olive oil.
Adding some Greek feta cheese to go with your pita makes this a delicious appetizer that’s hard to resist.
Start with the right type of flour
To make my pita bread, I use wheat flour from Poland, type 550. From time to time I also use wheat flour from Italy, type “00”. Both flours work perfectly fine. If you can’t get your hands on European flour, all-purpose will work as well.
You can also substitute half the portion of flour with whole wheat flour to make your pita bread healthier and more nutritious.
Pita Bread
Ingredients
- 5 cups wheat flour (Polish type 550)
- 2 cups lukewarm water
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, or a stand mixer bowl, using a whisk mix water, two tablespoons of flour, sugar, and yeast together.
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Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and let it sit on the kitchen counter for 20-25 minutes.
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After the starting mixture rests, add the remaining flour and salt.
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Knead the dough using your hands or a stand mixer equipped with a hook until the dough starts pealing off the walls of the bowl.
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Once the dough starts becoming elastic and peals off the walls of the bowl, add olive oil.
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Continue kneading the dough for about 5 - 7 minutes, or until the oil is well absorbed into the dough.
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Let the dough rest on the kitchen counter for about one hour and a half, covered with a plastic wrap.
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Once rested, divide the dough into 6 or 8 smaller balls.
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If you have pizza stone for your oven, prepare two or three sheets of parchment paper, about 18" x 12" (46 cm x 30 cm) in size, and place them on your kitchen counter, or a flat surface.
This is for placing your rolled out pita breads. If you don't have pizza stone, use baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
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Using a pin roller, roll each ball into a flat and thin circle and then lay each one on the parchment paper sheet.
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Preheat the oven to 450° - 475° Fahrenheit or 235° - 250° Celsius.
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Let your pitas rest for 30 - 45 minutes, covered with a clean dish cloth.
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Once the pitas had a chance to rest and "puff out", using a pizza peel, gently transfer them to the preheated oven. Place them directly on the pizza stone along with the parchment paper. If you don't have a pizza stone, use baking sheets instead.
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Bake for 3-4 minutes. Then, using tongs, flip the pita breads to the other side, and bake for additional 2 minutes.
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Remove the baked pita breads from the oven, wrap them in a clean dish cloth and place them in a bread basket to cool off for 10 - 15 minutes. By covering them and trapping the heat, the pita bread will remain soft and easy to tear. If you don't cover your freshly baked pitas, they might become a bit crunchy. Either way, they're delicious!
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