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The Ultimate Easy Homemade Pita Bread: Soft, Fluffy, and Guaranteed to Puff Every Time

Three freshly cooked, slightly charred pita bread rounds stacked on a white plate near a sunlit window.
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Make soft, fluffy pita bread from scratch using simple ingredients. This easy recipe guarantees the signature pocket forms when baked or cooked in a skillet, perfect for wraps or dips.

Ingredients

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  • 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. 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 towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
  6. Divide and rest: Punch the dough down gently. Divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball. Cover the balls and let them rest for 15 minutes.
  7. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) with a baking stone or heavy baking sheet inside for at least 30 minutes. If using a skillet, heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  8. Roll out: On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough ball into a 6-inch circle, about 1/8-inch thick. Keep the unused dough covered.
  9. Bake for pockets (Oven method): Carefully place 1 or 2 rolled pitas directly onto the hot baking stone or sheet. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes until the pita puffs up completely. Remove and keep warm wrapped in a clean towel.
  10. Cook for no pockets (Skillet method): Place one rolled pita into the hot, dry skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds per side until light brown spots appear. Flip and cook the other side. After the second flip, press down gently with a spatula to encourage puffing. Cook until fully puffed or cooked through.
  11. Serve: Serve the fresh pita bread warm.

Notes

  • For the best puff, your oven or skillet must be very hot before the dough touches the surface.
  • If you want garlic pita bread, brush the warm pitas with melted butter mixed with minced garlic and parsley after baking.
  • This recipe makes vegan pita bread as it contains no dairy or eggs.

Nutrition

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