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Easy Homemade Pita Bread Recipe That Puffs

A stack of four freshly cooked, puffy pita bread rounds with golden-brown charred spots on a white plate.
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Make soft, fluffy pita bread from scratch using simple ingredients. This recipe guarantees the signature pocket when cooked at high heat, perfect for stuffing or dipping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 cup warm water (about 105-115°F)
  • 2 1/2 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 stand 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 cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, 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 them, and let them rest for 15 minutes.
  7. Shape: On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a circle about 1/8 inch thick (roughly 6 to 7 inches in diameter).
  8. Preheat: Heat a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Do not add oil to the pan.
  9. Cook: Place one pita round in the hot, dry skillet. Cook for about 30 to 60 seconds until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip the pita. Cook the second side for another 30 to 60 seconds. The pita should puff up completely.
  10. Finish: Remove the puffed pita from the pan. Wrap the warm pitas in a clean kitchen towel to keep them soft while you cook the remaining bread.

Notes

  • For the best puff, your pan must be very hot before you place the dough in it.
  • If you want garlic pita bread, brush the cooked pitas lightly with melted butter mixed with garlic powder immediately after removing them from the heat.
  • This recipe makes vegan pita bread by default, as it contains no dairy or eggs.

Nutrition

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