Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Pockets -Middle Eastern (Video Recipe)

Name: Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 12 Pitas
Ingredients: 250 ml Warm water; 2 1/4 tsp Instant dry yeast (1 envelope); 2 tbsp Honey; 4 tbsp Olive oil; 1 tbsp Salt; 380 grams All-purpose flour; 60 grams All-purpose flour for kneading; 3 cups Mashed potato (boiled and mashed or leftover mashed potato); 1/4 cup Onions (Sautéed but raw works too); 1/2 tsp Garlic (minced); 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional); 1/2 cup Parsley (finely chopped); 1/4 tsp Pepper; 1/2 tsp Salt

January 24, 2019 *Updated* March 30, 2019 By Veena Azmanov 34 Comments

Recipe Video Print

Middle Eastern Potato Stuffed Pita Pockets -Video

This potato stuffed pita bread is a Middle Eastern classic often found in Middle Eastern bakeries. A basic pita bread dough folded over a generous filling before baking in the oven. A simple and easy recipe that works perfectly for breakfast, snack or when you need a warm sandwich. These potato stuffed pita pockets also make great kids’ school lunch box sandwiches.

Use the basic Pita bread recipe to make these Potato Stuffed Pita Bread with this simple and easy homemade recipe.

Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita Bread, Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket, Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe

Stuffed pita is my Aadi’s favorite school lunch. And by stuffed pita, I do not mean the one where you stuff things into an already baked pita. So here the pita is baked with the filling in it. Unless you peak in or have some identification on the pita, there is no telling what’s inside the pita.

Therefore, the topping is usually an indication of what’s inside the pita. In our home, the black sesame seeds pitas have potato in them. While the cheese stuffed pitas have white sesame seeds on top. And cheese and potato stuffed pita have white and black sesame seeds. While my spinach and feta cheese have black poppy seeds sprinkled on the top. And my zaatar with feta cheese usually has more zaatar on top. How cool is that?

I usually make a few of these and store them in the freezer. Those of you who have teenage children will know that there is just never enough food in the house. An hour after my lunch while I’m looking for green tea to help settle my diet, my son says, mom can I have something to eat? So having stuff in the freezer means they can help themselves to food without me getting stressed.

Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita Bread, Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket, Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe

What is Pita Bread?

Pita bread is a Middle Eastern staple, and we eat it with almost all foods whether it is vegetarian hummus, tahini, shakshuka for breakfast or baba ganoush, kebabs, falafel for lunch or dinner. When I shared my recipe on how to make homemade easy pita bread I spoke in details and discussed all these questions below. I highly recommend you read that post.

What is pita bread?
How is pita bread made
Why does the pita bread have a pocket?
What is the different between Naan and Pita?
Is Pita bread the same as Lebanese or Arabic bread?
Can you make stovetop pita bread? (recipe included)
How to make pita pockets at home (recipe included)
How do you eat pita bread?
What do you eat pita with?
How to make pita chips?
And how do we warm up the pita?

This creamy, light and delicious homemade tahini sauce make a perfect accompaniment to any meal. This middle eastern Tahina sauce is heart healthy and works a treat served with meat dishes, as an ingredient in dishes like Hummus and Babaganoush or drizzled over your favorite falafel or shawarma. Try it as a salad dressing or drizzle over a bowl of steamed vegetables.

A Baklava is a popular Middle Eastern desert with thin crisp layers of buttered filo sheets layered with a sweet pistachio mixture baked crisp then soaked in sugar syrup that just melts in the mouth. This simple, easy and effortless recipe for honey pistachio baklava makes the most decadent baklava you will ever taste.

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.

What is a Stuffed Pita?

As I said, pita is the staple here, so we get it in lots of different variations. A popular one is zaatar pita. Zaatar is again a Middle Eastern herb found in any Middle Eastern shop on the spice rack. The other varieties are potato stuffed pita, cheese stuffed pita, potato and cheese stuffed pita, zaatar with feta cheese, and feta with spinach. I think you get the idea.

In our family, we love these very much. My absolute favorite is zaatar with feta or feta with spinach. My Aadi and Ziv love the potato stuffed pita, while Rhea’s favorite is the cheese stuffed pita.

Now I know what your thinking? Potato stuffed pita. Both are starch. Yes, they are and yet they go so beautifully together. For me growing up in India, a potato is a vegetable. We use it as a vegetable in curry, side dish, in the flatbread like paratha and naan. I found the same thing happening here in the Middle East too. They also think of potato both as a vegetable and starch. So potato in bread is – oh yes, please. I kind of like it myself.

Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita Bread, Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket, Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe

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

For the Pita Bread Dough

All-purpose flour – I always use all-purpose flour for most of my bread recipe instead of bread flour. Of course, when called for, I use whole wheat. And yet, 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. And if you do use bread flour, you may need fewer tablespoons of flour.
In this recipe I used less than 1/2 cup for kneading – notice in the video I barely sprinkle the work surface.
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 packet. And if you use fresh yeast, you will need, about 21 grams. Also, it’s not necessary to activate the yeast. And yet, I like to take the guesswork out and make sure my dough will rise.
Water – The temperature of the water is an essential factor in bread making. It has to be warm, not hot. Usually about 110 F. And yet, you don’t need a thermometer. The temperature is around the same as when you give milk to a baby. So think, if this water was for a baby would it be warm enough?
Honey – I think the flavor of honey works great with pita, but you can 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.

For the Filling

Potato – I love using leftover mashed potato for this recipe. It’s is already creamy and delicious, so it enhances the flavor of the filling. You can also make the mashed potato from scratch by just boiling chopped potatoes in salted water and then mashing it up.
Garlic – A little goes a long way. And if you do not have fresh garlic, you can add 1/2 tsp garlic powder.
Onions – I’m not very fond of raw onions, so I saute them just for two to three minutes. You can saute or not.
Parmesan – I love the slightly nutty flavor that parmesan adds to the potatoes. I do not want a cheese outcome, but you are free to double the amount or use other cheeses like cheddar or similar.
Parsley – Very common herb in the Middle East. And yet, I am a cilantro person. So I often substitute with cilantro. Some chopped dill also works great to enhance the flavor of this filling.

Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita Bread, Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket, Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe,

Useful Tips and Tools

A small Mixing Bowl or measuring cup to activate the yeast. I prefer to use glass over metal. If the metal is cold, it can lower the temperature of the liquid ingredients. Not a big deal. And yet, it’s nice to get the yeast activated quickly and move on with the recipe.
I like mixing bread dough by hand. It’s quite therapeutic. But bread dough can be difficult to handle for some because it’s often a soft, sticky mess. And yet, keeping the dough soft and sticky is important for good bread baking. So, I highly recommend using a stand mixer Kenwood, kitchen-aidor other brands, it does not matter. Personally, I also have a hand mixer. And yet, I don’t use it for baking bread. Because bread dough is dense compared to cakes. So, it might harm my hand mixer. (recommended read – which stands mixer is good for home bakers)
Baking bread is a science. Measuring ingredients properly is important. Also, do not wing the measurements. Use a Measuring Cup for liquid ingredients and Measuring Spoons for dry ingredients.
A good baking tray is as important to bread baking as it is to other baking Baking Tray. Therefore, buy a good quality baking tray that’s not too thin. The thick ones will prevent the bread from burning on the bottom. Sometimes you can even add a second tray on the bottom to prevent it from getting burnt.
Every oven works differently. So the baking times are just guidelines. In the case of bread, a hollow sound on the bottom of the bread is a great indication. If the bread bakes too quick or too slow compared to the time given it might be a good idea to check if your oven needs calibration. An oven thermometer is a great little gadget to help keep the oven temperature in check. All you need to do is adjust the temperature accordingly.

Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita Bread, Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket, Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe,

Recipe – Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket Bread (Save/Pin)

Ingredients

For the dough

250 ml warm water – 1 cup
2 1/4 tsp instant dry yeast (1 envelope)
2 tbsp honey
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp salt – 1 tbsp
380 grams all-purpose flour – (3 cups) +
60 grams all-purpose flour for kneading (1/2 cup)

For the filling

3 cups mashed potato (boiled and mashed or leftover mashed potato) (2 large potatoes)
1/4 cup sauteed onions (raw works too)
1/2 tsp garlic minced (1 small garlic)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
1/2 cup parsley finely chopped
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt

Method

Prepare yeast

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

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.

Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita Bread, Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket, Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe

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.

Prepare Filling (while the dough is proving)

Cold leftover mashed potato works excellent for this recipe.
If not, peel, cube and boil potatoes in salt water. Drain and mash with a potato masher.
Add all filling ingredients in a bowl.
Combine well and set aside.

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 pieces).
Roll each ball into a 6-inch disc.
Place on a parchment lined the baking tray, lightly dusted with flour to prevent sticking.

Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita Bread, Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket, Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe,

Place about 2 to 3 tbsp of the potato filling on one half of the pita.
Lightly brush the edges with water and fold the other half over the potatoes.
Press gently to hold the edges.
Let rest on the tray for 30 minutes – covered with a dry towel or cheesecloth.

Cook pita bread on a pizza stone or baking tray.

Heat the oven to 220 C / 440F (hot oven) for at least 20 mins.
Brush the proofed pitas with an egg wash.
Sprinkle with black sesame seeds (white will work too).
Place the baking tray on the center rack.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until puffed up and golden.

Wrap/keep warm

Cool them on a wire rack for 10 mins.
Then keep them wrapped in kitchen cloth/towel or cheesecloth to keep them soft.

Storage

Pita bread can dry out quickly so always keep them wrapped.
Since these have a filling in them, stored them in the fridge or freezer.
If you are going to consume them in a day, the fridge will work any longer than that the bread will dry out.
I prefer not to keep them in the fridge to prevent the dough from drying 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.

Tips for 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).

Save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can also find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.

Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita Bread, Potato Stuffed Pita Pocket, Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe

Potato Stuffed Pita Bread Recipe

Author: Veena Azmanov

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: Arabic, Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Moroccan, Turkish

Keyword: Baked, bread, Middle Eastern, Pita, Pita Bread Recipe, Pocket

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Proofing Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Total Time: 20 mins

Calories: 178kcal

Adjust Servings Here: 12 Pitas

Take the delicious homemade pita to a whole new level by stuffing it before you bake it. This potato stuffed pita bread uses the basic pita pocket bread recipe and adds a mashed potato filling; cooked inside the pita pocket bread. This simple and easy Middle Eastern recipe makes a fantastic breakfast, snack or lunch box meal.