The Easiest Homemade Pita Bread Recipe!

• servings: Yield: 6 pita breads
• active time: 45 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

500–530g (17-18.5 oz.) strong white bread flour or 50% white and 50% whole-wheat flour

360g (12.7 oz.) lukewarm (40C/ 104F)

3 tsp dry instant yeast

1 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

Directions

Add all ingredients to bread machine, use dough cycle.

Take the dough out of the bowl and gently deflate with your hands. Use just a tiny bit of flour to help you if it is too sticky. Split into 6 evenly sized balls around145g/ 5 oz. each.

Let the pita bread balls rest for 15 minutes before shaping. This is the second proof and will allow your dough to relax and become easier to shape.

To form the pita bread, you can either use a rolling pin, or stretch it with your hands, about 20cm in diameter. A rolling pin will make a crunchier pita, while hand stretching a softer, fluffier one. If the dough springs back, set it aside for a few minutes to rest and then continue rolling again.

For a more traditional look on your pita bread, press the dough firmly with your fingertips forming dimples or use a fork to make some holes on top.

For a faster baked pita, heat a non-sticking frying pan to medium heat and add just a little bit of olive oil and wipe off any excess. Bake each pita bread for about 3 minutes on each side, until slightly coloured and still soft. If your pan has a lid, place the lid on while baking them to keep the moisture in.

For a fluffier pita use the steam method. Cut a piece of aluminium foil to the size of your pan. Generously sprinkle and spread some olive oil on it. Shape and place your pita on the foil. Pour a large glug of water in your plan over medium low heat – it should start steaming immediately! Place your pita immediately in it and cover with the lid. Let it steam for 12-15 minutes. Take it out, flip it over and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the foil.

To give it more colour, when you flip your pita bread, push it lightly with a wooden spoon on the pan.

Notes

Serve with [recipe:Avocado Greek Salad & Greek Salad Dressing] and [recipe:Easy Greek Lemon Chicken]