Baking · serves 2

Pita Bread

They puff into pockets in the oven, which never stops being satisfying.

120 min Some work Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 3 cups bread flour or maida
  • 2 tsp instant yeast
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1.25 cups warm water
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Method

  1. Mix and knead 8 minutes, rise 1 hour.
  2. Divide into balls, rest 20 minutes covered. Skipping this rest means they fight you when rolled and won't puff.
  3. Roll each to an even 5mm. Uneven thickness is the main reason pitas fail to puff.
  4. Oven and a tray or stone as hot as they go — 250°C, preheated 30 minutes.
  5. Slap the pita straight onto the hot surface. It should balloon within 2-3 minutes.
  6. Stack them under a cloth as they come out; the trapped steam keeps them soft.

Questions people ask about Pita Bread

How long does Pita Bread take?

About 120 minutes from starting to sitting down, and it is a bit of work. A good part of that is unattended, so you can get on with something else once it is going.

What is the one thing to get right in Pita Bread?

Divide into balls, rest 20 minutes covered. Skipping this rest means they fight you when rolled and won't puff.

What can I use instead of maida in Pita Bread?

Use plain atta for a denser, nuttier result, or a 50/50 mix if you want to keep some lift.

Can I make Pita Bread ahead of time?

You can prepare it a few hours ahead and reheat gently. It keeps two days in the fridge, though it is best on the day.

Is Pita Bread vegetarian?

Yes, and as written it is vegan too. Check your specific brands if that matters to you.

Do I need an oven for Pita Bread?

Yes, this one needs an oven. If you do not have one, look at the no-oven filter on the baking page: eleven of the bakes here are built for a cooker, a pan or the fridge.

What do you serve with Pita Bread?

On its own, warm, with tea or coffee. Baking is chemistry, so scale it by weight rather than by eye: double every quantity, use a tin with roughly double the area, and expect to add ten minutes or so. Judge it by the skewer, not the clock.

Don't know what to cook? Let it decide →

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