Easy Pita Bread Recipe – Pocket Bread Recipe

Name: Easy Pita Bread Recipe aka Pocket Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 2 h 4 min
Yield: 12 Pitas
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: Warm water - 1 cup; Instant dry yeast - 2 1/2 Tsp (1 envelope); Honey - 2 tbsp; Olive Oil - 4 tbsp; Salt - 1 tbsp; All-purpose flour - 3 cups + 1/2 cup for kneading

April 20, 2018 By Veena Azmanov 54 Comments

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Easy Pita Bread Recipe – Pocket Bread Recipe

When you think Middle Eastern or Mediterranean food the humble pita always comes to mind. This simple, easy and effortless recipe for easy pita bread also known as pocket bread makes soft, chewy and delicious pita with a gorgeous pocket that can be stuffed with your favorites be it hummus, falafel, gyros, kebabs or even just cold cuts for a simple sandwich.

A Pinterest image show casing the a pile of freshly baked pita bread surrounded by hummus, tahini, salad and zataar

Easy Pita Bread Recipe | Homemade Pita Bread | Pocket Bread Recipe

There was a time when I would make pita bread every time I made Middle-Eastern food such as hummus, falafel or kebabs. Back then I lived in Singapore so we would only get frozen pita bread which really wasn’t so great at all. Especially when homemade pita is so simple and easy to make. Right?

Here in Israel, I never have to make pita bread – because the bakeries here carry fresh pita bread just like any other bread. It’s a staple here so its’ always fresh. Guess what happened yesterday? Well, I forgot to buy pita bread. And it was Independence day which means it was BBQ day! I had already planned some delicious mince beef kebabs but there is no way we would have those without pita bread.

So, after quite a few years it was fun to make these delicious pita bread again. And of course, I had to share with you. Well, not to brag really but I make good bread? If you see I have quite a few bread recipes here and you can tell – I love bread. It’s therapy, it’s fun, its good!!

A partially covered pile of scattered homemade easy pita bread surrounded by salad, hummus tahini and zaatar

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home |Pocket Pita Bread Recipe

Recipe for success (Save/Pin)

Now, if you notice in my video today, I have not used a mixer!! Well, the truth is; when it comes to pita bread I never use a mixer. I have always done it by hand. I usually only make this amount of pita. You can double the recipe successfully and of course, you can use a stand mixer too! But the myth that you need to knead pita bread dough for really long time is not true. Nor do you need any special equipment. A bowl and your two hands for mixing with a skillet and spatula for cooking are all you need.

If you use this recipe, exactly the way I have shown below. The exact amount of liquid with the same amount of flour. Time your self to the kneading time I mention below? I can guarantee you, that you will have perfect pita bread every single time. Why? I have been using this exact recipe for over 15 years now. My whole wheat pita is also derived from this basic recipe.

Go ahead – try it! Often, people think kneading by hand is difficult but you may just enjoy it. I do! I have a mixer, a food processor, but I still love doing bread old school with my two hands.

Note again, my recipe says 12 pitas but there are only 11 balls shown. The hidden one was actually given to my little Rhea. She loves mixing dough and she loves rolling pizza and pita. It’s a great way to get kids use to food and textures in the kitchen. They even enjoy their food more because they helped make it. Cool eh?

A close up shot of the puffed up pita bread on the hot skillet - a simple easy and effortless recipe to make perfect homemade pita bread

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home | Pocket Bread Recipe

So, Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (save/pin)

All-purpose flour – I always use all-purpose for most of my bread recipe instead of bread flour. Of course, when called for I use whole wheat but usually if I have to pick between all-purpose or bread flour I’m quite comfortable with all-purpose. But, you can use bread flour as well. If you do use bread flour, you may not need a few tablespoons of less flour.
In this recipe I used less than 1/2 cup for kneading – notice in the video I barely sprinkle the work surface when kneading.
Instant dry yeast – I like to use instant dry because I’ve always had great success with it. If you have to use active dry yeast you will need 2 1/4 tsp or one envelope, and if you use fresh yeast you will need about 21 grams. It’s not necessary to activate the yeast but I like to take the guesswork out and make sure my dough will rise.
Water – The temperature of the water is an important factor in bread making. It has to be warm, not hot. Usually about 110 F but you don’t really need a thermometer. The temperature is around the same as when you give milk to a baby. So think, if this water was to be fed to a baby would it be warm enough?
Honey – I think the flavor of honey works great with pita but you can definitely use a tbsp of sugar instead. And no it does not make the pita bread sweet but it does feed the yeast. You can also use agave syrup if you prefer.
Olive oil – Just enough to feed the yeast and add some softness to the pita bread.

A Close up shot of the layered homemade easy pita bread also called pocket bread surrounded by tahini hummus and salad -

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home

Recipe – Easy Pita Bread Recipe aka Pocket Bread Recipe (Save/Pin)

Tools

A pile of pita bread and two half pitas on a white cheesecloth surrounded by salad, tahini and hummus.

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home, Easy pita bread recipe

Ingredients

Warm water – 1 cup
Instant dry yeast – 2 1/2 Tsp (1 envelope)
Honey – 2 tbsp
Olive Oil – 4 tbsp
Salt – 1 tbsp
All-purpose flour – 3 cups + 1/2 cup for kneading

Method

Prepare yeast

Combine warm water, yeast, honey, salt, oil
Stir well and leave to rest/prove for 5 minutes until foamy.

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home

Prepare dough

Place 2 cups (or half) flour in a bowl
Add the yeast mixture
Use a wooden spoon or spatula and mix thoroughly for a minute
Then add the remaining flour and combine.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
Knead for three minutes until the dough is still soft but elastic.
When you press the dough with your fingers – the dough should spring back.

Rest/Prove dough

Form the dough into a ball and place in an oiled bowl.
Cover with cling wrap and rest in a warm place for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
The dough should be at least double in size.

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home

Roll pita bread

Once doubled in size transfer to a lightly floured surface again
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions (first into half – then half again until you have 12 portions)
Roll each ball into a 6-inch disc
Place on a parchment lined baking tray, lightly dusted with flour to prevent sticking
Let rest for 30 minutes – covered with a dry towel or cheesecloth.

Cook Pita bread in a skillet

After the pita bread has rested for 30 minutes
Heat a heavy bottom skillet/fry pan
You want the pan to be hot
Place the pita bread on the skillet let cook 30 secs
Flip once – let cook another 30 secs
and flip again – cook 30 seconds – the pita should now start to puff up.
Flip again – the pita should now puff up completely – cook 30 secs or less
Each pita will take about 2 minutes cooking 30 secs at a time on each side.

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home

Cook Pita bread on a pizza stone.

Heat the oven to 250 C / 500F (hot oven) for at least 20 mins (keep the broiler setting on)
Make sure the pizza stone is really hot
Place two to three pita bread on the hot pizza stone
Bake for two minutes until puffed up.
Use the broiler if the pita is pale in color

Wrap / Keep warm

As soon as the pita bread is cooked or baked.
Keep it wrapped in kitchen cloth/towel or cheesecloth to keep them soft.

A peak under the cheesecloth to see the pita kept covered to prevent the pita bread from drying out. This recipe for easy pita bread makes 12 beautiful pitas with pockets

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home, Pocket Bread Recipe

Storage

Pita bread can dry out easily so always keep them wrapped.
They will stay fresh wrapped in cheesecloth or towel for up to 3 days
I prefer not to keep them in the fridge as they dry out.
You can place them in ziplock bags and freeze them for a week
If wrapped well in aluminum foil they will stay for up to a month in the freezer

Reheating fresh or Frozen Pita

Fresh pita – wrap in a damp paper towel and heat for 30 secs up to a minute.
Frozen pita – microwave from frozen for up to a minute – then lightly torch on an open flame for 30 secs on all sides.
(this method is my most preferred as it gives soft pita just like freshly made pita)

A pile of homemade easy pita bread with a stuffed pita pocket stuffed with beef kebabs and salad.

Soft Homemade Pita Bread Recipe, How to make perfect pita at home, Easy Homemade Pita Bread

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8 Tips for the Perfect Pita Bread (Save/Pin)

Not to scare you but you know pita bread is not like other bread. It can be depressing when you don’t get that little pocket in the middle. Right? And that pocket really is achievable if you understand why and how it’s created and use a few tips I have for you below.

1. Kneading the pita dough

knead the dough until its’ soft, elastic but not dry. You do not want a firm dough. Your pita bread will still be good, and it will still puff if you add extra flour but keeping the dough soft like I have in the video will give you super soft pita that will melt in the mouth. I promise!

2. Tough pita bread

usually would mean that you did not knead the dough enough – kneading activates gluten which makes the pita soft, elastic and supple. Enjoy it!

3. The thickness of the rolled pita bread

Pita needs to be rolled to just the right thickness. If you keep the pita thick and flip it at 30 secs then the steam will not have reached the center. What you want is that when the steam reaches the center you flip it to the other side – steam reaches the center again… causing a pocket. That yes moment!! Ideally, you can get a pocket even with thicker pita bread you just need to test the right time to flip it.

4. The thinness of the rolled pita bread

It’s all about that pocket!! Just like thick does not do well nor does thin. Why? If the pita is rolled too thin it will become dry, there will not be enough dough on either side to cause a pocket. I don’t enjoy crispy pita nor will you.

5. Flipping the pita

This is not just for fun but to keep a balance of that steam in between the two layers? Have you noticed some pita have a thick side and a thin side? Well, now you know why!

6. Dark brown spots

you want to cook pita on a high skillet but you don’t want burnt pita. Ideally, you want to heat the skillet on high and get it really hot before you start cooking the pita, then reduce the heat to medium-high when you cooking the pita. In between pita you can still crank up that heat and get it high again.

7. No color on the pita

mostly happens with the oven. You need a hot oven but often even when the pita is puffed up beautifully it won’t’ get that brown spots or cooked look. Use a tray and place the cooked pita closer to the broiler just for a few seconds. Alternatively, use the flame of your stove top gas to add a little color. I do that with store bought pita that is so pale and boring.

8. Handle the rolled pita carefully

When you moved the rolled pita onto the floured parchment paper and then again to the hot skillet, do not stretch it or tear it. Be gentle. Stretching it will cause a week spot, the thin spot will not puff! Similarly, a tear will cause the steam to escape instead of pushing the center to puff. Make sense?

9. Wrap pita in the towel

Keep pita bread soft and the best way to do that is to keep them wrapped in a towel as soon as they are cooked. Yes! Hot pita right under the layers of towel. You want all that steam back into the pita to keep that pita soft and supple. If you leave pita uncovered it will get tough, often get a crisp top late too.

10. Whole wheat pita

Whole wheat is not just nutritious but also adds so much in terms of texture. Having said that; whole wheat means less gluten. Gluten gives pita that chewy, elastic quality which is why we still need white flour in whole wheat pita bread.

10 Tips for Perfect Homemade Pita Bread EVERY single time.

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A Pinterest optimized image for Easy Pita Bread Recipe showing a pile of homemade pita bread surrounded by salad, tahini and hummus.

Easy Pita Bread Recipe, Pocket Bread Recipe, Perfect Pita Bread Recipe

When you think Middle Eastern or Mediterranean food the humble pita always comes to mind. This simple, easy and effortless recipe for easy pita bread also known as pocket bread makes soft, chewy and delicious pita with a gorgeous pocket that can be stuffed with your favorites be it hummus, falafel, gyros, kebabs or even just cold cuts for a simple sandwich.

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