Pita Bread Recipe

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim

Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah


Here is the recipe I use for pita bread.  The basic dough recipe can be found all over the internet and can be used for pizza dough as well as pita bread:

2 cups all purpose flour, divided
1 cup very warm water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons oil (olive or vegetable)

In the bowl of your electric mixer, add ONE cup of the flour; to this, add the other dry ingredients and the oil.  To this, add the very warm water.  Mix on low speed to blend then continue to mix for about three minutes, using the mixing attachment.

Detach the mixing attachment and attach the dough hook.  Add the second cup of flour and mix for about ten minutes, adding extra flour if needed to make a dough that comes away from the sides and bottom of the bowl but is not super stiff.  After ten minutes, turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead by hand for one minute.

Cut the dough into eight pieces and form each piece into a ball.  Let the dough rest and rise for about twenty minutes.  I use a clean trash bag to cover to keep it from drying out.  After about ten minutes, preheat the oven to 500 degrees.

Roll out your first ball of dough into a large thin round about 6 inches across, using sufficient flour on the counter and the rolling pin to keep it from sticking.  Flip only once when rolling out, or the pocket may not form.  Also, avoid getting any kinks or wrinkles in the dough.  Place on a cookie sheet and let rest for ten minutes.  Repeat with the other dough balls.

Place the cookie sheet in the oven, one at a time, and bake for three minutes. Set a timer or stand in front of the oven – it only takes a minute for these to go from lovely bread to charcoal!  I like mine a little more brown so I go an extra thirty seconds, but your oven temperature may differ slightly so do keep an close eye on the bread.  When it is done, remove from the oven and keep baking until you are done.  Did I mention it’s good to always have a lot of cookie sheets on hand?

Remove the bread from the cookie sheet while hot using a spatula.  Allow to cool on the counter, then just try to keep it away from everyone!

You can also use this dough as a base for home made pizza, or you can make za’atar or other goodies:


For Za’atar, which is a mix of spices including sesame seeds, salt, and oregano, roll out the dough as above.  Prick the dough rounds with a fork – this is called “docking” and will keep the bread from poofing up, which you don’t want in this case.  Brush each round with olive oil and sprinkle with the za’atar mix, which you can get at Indian or Arab ethnic stores and some really good grocery stores.  You can probably find it online as well – just ask around.  Bake for three or four minutes and then remove from the oven and enjoy!

You can also put caramelized onions on the bread, or spinach and feta cheese, or ground meat.  The bread is your canvas and you can make artful delicious food however your imagination inspires you.

Fi Aman Allah,

Nancy