Pita Bread is a very easy-to-make, soft, and delicious Mediterranean flatbread that is vegan and prepared using basic ingredients from your kitchen.
Homemade pita breads are always tastier, fresh and flavorful than store bought. And believe me you will love making them again and again. The way the pitas puff up in your oven or stove top is the best magic that happens with this bread and it also makes you feel proud about your culinary skills.
I also love the fact that they are easy to eat, portable and one of the best choice of bread for making sandwiches. !!
Oh wait, since these are easy to eat and transport they are also perfect for upcoming tailgating events or game nights or potluck or Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holiday parties! Totally a perfect recipe for anytime of the year!
What is pita bread used for ?
Pita bread are mainly used to scoop in some dips like hummus, and chutneys or to wrap gyros, kebabs, falafel, tikkas (grilled meat, paneer, tofu) in form of sandwich or with Mediterranean salads. Any leftovers pita can be cut into triangles and baked into crispy chips.
Can I use whole wheat flour to make Pita bread?
Yes for the healthier version you are free to substitute refined flour with whole wheat flour or you can even use a 1 :1 ratio. The taste, color, and texture will be completely different.
What is the difference between naan and pita bread?
Both are flatbreads made with yeast dough. Naan is softer and enriched with the addition of yogurt, milk or/and sour cream. Pita is made with lean dough (flour, yeast, salt, olive oil).
How to get proper pita pockets or How do you get pita to puff?
If you are cooking the pitas in the oven, turn it to the highest setting possible and preheat the oven with baking stone or steel. This is mainly done so that the heat is retained and get that burst of steam inside. This helps the bread to puff up during the baking process. As the bread cools, it flattens but a pocket will be left in the middle.
You will have to follow a similar method on the stove-top too. The cast-iron skillet should be hot enough else bread won't puff up. So make sure you preheat the skillet even before you start cooking the bread.
Pita bread in the oven or stovetop or grill?
Pita puffs up a little extra and makes softer pockets when cooked in the oven. If you are cooking for a larger crowd oven is better as you can cook multiple pieces of bread at a time.
When cooked on the stove top you get to see those additional crispy spots on the surface of the bread and pitas still remain soft and chewy inside.
If you like a nice smoky flavor to the bread, go ahead and grill it. The best recipe to try during summer.
All that said, To be honest, I like the stovetop version more. For me, the additional crunchiness on top is a plus!!!!
Can I make pita bread dough ahead or How do I store Pita dough?
Once the dough is prepared, place it in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. This allows the bread to leaven slowly. If you are still not ready to use by then, punch the dough, tightly wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 2 to 5 days.
How to store leftover Pita bread or How to keep Pita bread soft?
You can store it in plastic wrap or an airtight container at room temperature for upto 2 days. I would not recommend refrigerating it as this is going to make your bread drier. For longer storage, you can freeze it and use for up to 2 months.
How to reheat Pita Bread?
Preheat the oven to 400 degree F. Place the pitas on a baking tray and heat it for 3 to 5 minutes or till it is heated through.
You can also reheat in a microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute each or on cast iron skillet or tava for a minute on each side till it's heated through.
Total preparation time : 3 ½ hours
Serves: 8 bread
Ingredients for Pita Bread
All-purpose flour - 1 cup + 1 ½ cup + ¼ cup
Olive oil - 2 tablespoon + 1 ½ tsp
Active dry yeast - 2 ¼ teaspoon (1 packet or 7g)
Sugar - 1 tsp
Salt - 1 ½ tsp
Warm water - 1 cup
How to make pita bread at home
Step I (Making of Pita Bread Dough)
- In the bowl, add warm water, sugar, active dry yeast, and 1 cup of flour and mix. Let it sit for about 15 minutes till the yeast activates. This mixture will bubble.
- Add 2 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and 1 ½ cup of all-purpose flour and stir using a wooden spoon/spatula till dough is formed.
Step II
- Dust the working surface. Transfer the dough and knead it for at least 5 to 6 minutes till you get a soft, smooth, and elastic dough. You can add additional flour while kneading only if the dough sticks to your hand or working surface.
- Coat the bowl with ½ teaspoon of olive oil. Transfer the dough to this bowl and turn the dough around so that it is coated with oil. Cover it and keep it in a warm place for about 2 hours or until it is doubled.
Step III
- Now transfer the dough onto the working surface and lightly pat it to about 1-inch thick flat shape. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
- Make each piece into a small round ball and sprinkle some flour on top of each ball. Cover this with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
- Dust the working surface. Pat the dough ball flat with your fingers and using a rolling pin, roll them to round bread about quarter-inch thick. Let each of these round bread rest for about 5 minutes even before cooking it.
Step IV (Stovetop Pita Bread or Pan Pita)
- Brush the cast-iron skillet with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and place it over medium high heat.
- Lay the pita bread and cook till the bottom has some light brown spots for about 2 minutes. Then flip and cook for about 2 minutes on the other side then again flip and cook on the original side for 30 seconds. Pita bread will puff up. (Now I had a big smile on my face 🙂 )
- Transfer the cooked pitas to a towel while you cook the remaining pita bread.
- Pita Bread is now ready. Serve hot and enjoy.
SOME OF MY FAVORITE, BEST AND EASY, POPULAR FLATBREAD RECIPES
- Garlic Naan
- Thai roti bread – popular on blog
- Rumali Roti
- Tava Naan
- 12 Vegan flatbread recipes
- Amritsari kulcha
- Corn Flour Bread
- Oats Chapati
- Garlic Cheese Naan
Detailed recipe for Greek Pita Bread | Best & Easy Vegan Pita Bread
Pita Bread is a very easy to make, soft and delicious Mediterranean flatbread that is vegan and prepared using basic ingredients from your kitchen.
- 1 cup Warm water
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast
- 1 cup + 1 ½ cup + ¼ cup All purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon + 1 ½ tsp Olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoon Salt
-
In bowl, add warm water, sugar, active dry yeast and 1 cup of flour and mix. Let it sit for about 15 minutes till the yeast activates. This mixture will bubble.
-
Add 2 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and 1 ½ cup of all purpose flour and stir using wooden spoon or spatula till dough is formed.
-
Dust the working surface. Transfer the dough and knead it for atleast 5 to 6 minutes till you get soft, smooth and elastic dough. You can add additional flour while kneading only if the dough sticks to your hand or working surface.
-
Coat the bowl with ½ teaspoon of olive oil. Transfer the dough to this bowl and turn the dough around so that it is coated with oil. Cover it and keep it in warm place for about 2 hours or until it is doubled.
-
Now transfer the dough onto the working surface and lightly pat it to about 1 inch thick flat shape. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
-
Make each pieces into small round ball and sprinkle some flour on top of each ball. Cover this with plastic wrap or kitchen towel and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
-
Dust the working surface. Pat the dough ball flat with your fingers and using rolling pin, roll them to round bread about quarter inch thick. Let each of this round bread rest for about 5 minutes even before cooking it.
-
Brush the cast-iron skillet with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and place it over medium high heat.
-
Lay the pita bread and cook till the bottom has some light brown spots for about 2 minutes. Then flip and cook for about 2 minutes on the other side then again flip and cook on original side for 30 seconds. Pita bread will puff up at this stage. (I really had big smile on my face 🙂 )
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Transfer the cooked pitas on a towel while you cook the remaining pita bread.
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Pita Bread is now ready. Serve hot and enjoy.
***Click below to save it on Pinterest***
This recipe is inspired by my favorite chef John from foodwishes. This is one of my old blog post updated with new pics. The recipe is the same.
Sowmiasgalley
Looks so fresh and perfect... Will try soon dear...
Kushi
Thank you Sowmia 🙂 I am sure you will love this!
poornima
Hi khushi ...
.ur all dishes r yummy n easy ....
Kushi
Thank you Poornima 🙂
Traditionallymodernfood
Pita bread turned out well..
Kushi
Thank you dear 🙂
Manali
i love homemade pita bread, they are the best! these look perfect Kushi!
Kushi
Thank you Manali !
Nalini Somayaji
wow ..lovely perfect home made pita bread...thats really a great work ....This is new to me thanks Kushi for sharing the recipe...
Kushi
Thank you Nalini 🙂
Moumita Malla
I do not know how will I thank you.It is a great post...for many days I am looking for this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Kushi
Thank you dear Moumita 🙂 You will love this!
amrita
they are looking lovely,...would like to grab few
Kushi
Thank you AMrita 🙂 all yours 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
I too made pita bread yesterday, Kushi! Yours look so pillowy soft and yummy! 🙂
Kushi
Thank you Anu 🙂
Jyothi - Currytrail.in
wow bread looks so soft and pillowy...yum
Kushi
Thank you Jyothi 🙂
veena
looks so so soft.. and looks perfect
Kushi
Thank you Veena 🙂
sangeeta
Cn u tell me the rario as according to the spoon.and cn i make pita on microwave?ur pitta is yam and perfect
Kushi
If your microwave has convection mode then you can. All purpose flour - 44 tablespoon, water - 16 tablespoon. other ingredients are already in spoon measurement. Thank you 🙂
chitrajagadish
Wow looks so soft and fluffy..... perfect?
Kushi
Thank you Chitra 🙂
jayashree
yours have come out well Kushi nice one
Kushi
Thank you Jayashree 🙂
Alka
You have nailed the recipe....Perfect fluffy Pita Bread
Kushi
Thank you alka 🙂
Jolly
I love pita breads..dear kushi yours pita bread looks so soft & fluffy..Bookmarked it ??
Kushi
Thank you so much sweety 🙂
marudhuskitchen
Perfectly made pita bread
Kushi
Thank you dear 🙂
rita
Thanks for sharing.
Kushi
Thank you 🙂
Audra
These look amazing! I grew up eating pita and would love to introduce it to my children! Hopefully mine turns out as lovely as yours looks!
Kushi
Thank you so much. Do let me know how it turned out 🙂
Diana G
I cannot use iron skillet on my stove top.:(. Can I use all metal one?.
Kushi
You can use well greased metal skillet. you might see slight change in texture. Do let me know how this turned out!
Abeer
Looks marvelous ,I will try it soon. .Sorry to be the latest response, I just get it? Thanks for sharing Kushi?
Kushi
Thank you so much. Do let me know how this turned out!
Edward
My cast Iron needs help, but I make all the baked goods in the house. This is a better Pita bread than my old one, as mine uses Baking soda. This tastes much better. Thank You so much.
Jessica Formicola
This is the best pita bread recipe I've ever tried! It turns out perfectly every time!
Sharon
Making your own pita bread is so easy with this recipe! Perfect for a side to dishes or for sandwiches.
Patricia - Grab a Plate
How awesome! These look so fluffy and perfect! When my order of yeast comes in, I'm definitely trying these!
Jordin
Yum this pita bread looks so fresh and amazing! With all this time on my hands, I need to give this recipe a try!
Jennifer Allen
I love pita bread but can never get it to turn out right. I tried your method, and it was perfect! Light and fluffy and with a pocket! Thank you!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
You can't beat a homemade pita bread and this looks absolutely delicious! I will certainly be making this for myself.
Angela
This looks like a wonderful recipe full of things I have handy in my pantry. I am going to try it today!
Cookilicious
woa! Your pita bread looks perfect. Can't wait to try this recipe
Charla
This is amazing, Just need some Chicken Korma to accompany the Pita Bread.
Krissy Allori
I love pita bread but I haven't ever made it and I have no idea why. This looks totally doable. I also love that you can use the pita bread is so many different ways. k
Sara Welch
You have me dreaming of gyros! I am adding this to my dinner line up this week; this looks too easy and delicious to pass up!
Sarah Lawrie
These turned out great Kushi! I love how thick they are!
Janelle
Wow these look so fluffy and good! Can't wait to eat these!
Dannii
We have been making a lot of our own pita bread. These look so light and fluffy.
Emily Liao
Great pita recipe! I've been searching for a solid one online and this does this trick! It's perfectly thick and fluffy at the same time.
Kristen
Loved these! Thank you for the great recipe!
Suzy
This is the perfect pita bread recipe! The ingredient list is easy and comes out great every time!
Jeannette
I see these at the supermarket ALL the time, but homemade ones are the BEST! Thanks for sharing this recipe because I know I'll be making it more than once!
cyndy
Lovely looking pita bread. Looks delicious and easy
Cate
Looks so yummy and fluffy! I love pita bread but I've never tried making my own, thanks for the recipe!
Kari Anderson
I've tried to make pita bread before from another recipe and it didn't come out very good - this recipe is really easy to follow and the dough is so fluffy!
Jacqueline Meldrum
I am so pleased to see an easy recipe for these. When I stay with my inlaws in Cyprus I always enjoy the fresh pitta bread out there and come back to cardboard like pitta here in the shops. I#m going to give them a go and sharing them now! I am going to share this in my Facebook group Living on the Veg.
Jere Cassidy
I love pita bread and having fresh-baked pita sounds delicious. Can't wait to find some yeast so I can try this.
Paula Montenegro
Great recipe for times like these when we're baking so much at home! I will try them with whole wheat flour, so tempting! Thanks for sharing.
Ben
Fully awesome. I love pita sandwiches. I've never tried making my own pita bread before. It looks tasty.
GUNJAN C Dudani
Love pita bread. I have been wondering to make it at home. Your recipe looks doable and simple. I fortunately have all the ingredients as well. So, definitely trying this over the weekend.
Aleta
Wow, I am blown away! I had no idea making homemade pita bread was this easy. It is one of my families favourite! What a great recipe to stumble upon!
Analida Braeger
Thanks for all the great tips to bake these lovely pitas! I can't wait to try these.
Jenni LeBaron
I can imagine all of the delicious ways this pita can be used! I want to stuff it with sandwich fixings, make gyros, and serve it alongside stew!
Cathleen
I used to buy pita weekly in my local grocery store, until stores were selling out of bread 🙁
Why have I not thought of making it myself at home?? This looks genius!!
Marlynn
I'd love to make my own pita bread, and your directions make it look so easy! Yours turned out so fluffy and perfect. Thanks for the recipe!
Jacqueline Debono
I love pita bread but have never made it. Yours looks fabulous! Saving this recipe to make soon!
Cookilicious
That looks amazing Khushi! In fact, so much better than store-bought ones! Wil try this recipe
Irina
Your Mediterranean flatbread recipe is amazing! Made the bread this morning: it is all gone. Delicious!
Dannii
You can't beat homemade pita bread. So light and fluffy.
Michelle
This homemade pita bread is so soft and yummy! No need for store bought ever again!
Priya
These pita bread look so perfect! I'm saving the recipe to try it out soon.
Jenn
I love this recipe! It turns out perfectly every time, and who doesn't love the pocket?
Pavani
That is a beautifully puffed up Pita bread. Looks so soft, fluffy and that pocket is just perfect. Thanks for the tips and detailed recipe.
veenaazmanov
Love your recipe. These Pita Bread looks perfect and best when Homemade.
Bhawana
pita bread are perfect when made at home. came out great, thanks for sharing this recipe.
cindy
I’ve been in such a cooking rut lately, so I’ve been exploring new recipes to make! I happened upon your recipe and I am so glad I did. I made it today and my entire family loved it! Its doing into our menu plan rotation!!
Chef Dennis
Can you believe I've never made pita bread? Well that's changing today thanks to your easy to follow recipe!
Taleen | Just As Tasty
There's definitely nothing like warm, freshly baked homemade pita bread! Thanks for sharing!
Linda
Our family enjoy mediterranean food and naan bread is our favorite, along with homemade hummus. I've never made my own naan bread but the recipe seems so easy to follow.
Maria
We love pita bread but have never made it from scratch. I'm excited to try this recipe and I especially love that you can make the dough ahead of time and allows it to rest in the refrigerator.
Stine Mari
Yum! These are perfectly pillowy soft pita breads. I love watching those air pockets puff up!
Marta
I have an obscene obsession with pita bread! I'm so glad to finally be able to make it at home now.
Jere Cassidy
I have never made pita bread and your recipe is a must try for me. I love how easy this is to make.
Amy Liu Dong
This pita bread recipe of yours looks so easy and I am pretty sure that this is also delicious.
Georgina
I love pitta. They're so versatile. My favourite is to stuff them with falafel, salad and hummus. Yum!
Sarah James
I love how versatile pitta breads are, perfect pockets for a sandwich filling, thanks for all the tips for making them.
Sondra Barker
this is such a great pita recipe! they look so fresh and fluffy (which isn't always the case!) can't wait to try myself
Beth
I always enjoy pita bread but have never tried making it. Your clear explanations make me want to try it as soon as I can get some flour!
Leslie
Everyone needs a good, classic, pita bread recipe! This recipe looks so delighfully perfect! Gotta try!
Jacqueline Debono
Your pita bread looks so much better than the one I buy and you make it sound pretty easy to make. Definitely want to try making my own!
Wendy
I have never made pita bread before. In my mind it seemed like such a complicated and daunting task. Thank you for sharing this recipe it was so easy
Genevieve
I love making homemade pita bread! Such and fun a delicious bread and really quite easy to make! I love the satisfaction of making homemade bread. It feels so good!
Sara
What a perfect recipe for pita bread! I love the pita pockets that this recipe makes with the bread - and all of your tips are so helpful!
Gail Montero
I learned something new and now I know the difference between naan and pita bread! Need to try this yummy pita bread soon!
sapana
Homemade pita bread is a pure bliss. Then there is satisfaction and happiness to see the perfectly baked bread without any preservatives used.
Ramona
A great recipe this is, I will be making these again and will try wholemeal flour to see if it will actually work. This is great pita indeed!
Lathiya
The pita bread looks gorgeous. I loved that this is vegan. Can't wait to try this recipe.
Ryan
Thank you so much for all this great information!
Heather
I have always wanted to make my own pita bread. I can't wait to try your recipe.
Carrie Ann
I've never made pita bread before, but this looks easy enough to do! I'm going to give it a try (and maybe make some hummus to go along with it), Yum!
Kuntala
This looks like a great recipe. I love pita bread. I make it all the time. I'm going to have to give this a try.
Nicole Anderson
I have always enjoyed eating pita bread but never thought of making my own until seeing this post. I am now very keen to give this a try to see how it turns out. Yours looks just perfect.
Cinny
I like pita bread. However, if I had too choose, I think I like naan more.
Cristina Petrini
I am very curious about the pita, in short, I know it but I have not tried it. Nobody sells it here so trying to follow your recipe I could prepare it!
Ann
Wow that looks amazing!
How in the world did you manage to get them in that perfect shape? 😀
Eileen M Loya
I have not yet tried making my own pita bread. I saved your recipe and try making some soon. I guess I will cook it stove top because I don't have that baking stone. Hopefully I can make pita bread as good as yours.
Ivan M. Jose
My wife and I love the texture of pita bread. We like it dipped in hummus or we fill it with a nice vegetable salad.
Stephanie
Pita bread is so delicious! Thank you for the recipe, I have always wanted to try and make my own.
Marysa
I have never made pita bread, but I imagine that it is one of those things that is so amazing when it is fresh!
Emman Damian
I love pita bread! I usually put beef on it. Sometimes I make it into shawarma. So nice and tender!
Yudith Napitupulu
My mother in law sometimes making this roti but I never know that it's call "Pita".We ate this bread with chicken curry. Very very tasty.
Lyanna Soria
I've heard of Pita bread before but I've never actually tasted nor made one before. I would love to give this a try and it looks quite tasty.
AUTUMN MURRAY
Yum to the yum! I just pinned your post to make later. My family and I love pita bread!
Nyxie
I've never made my own Pita bread but I love it so much. It would be great to know how to make them and actually make my own rather than buying them all the time.
Ieva
Great recipe! Love how easy it was to make and the dough was not hard to work with! Perfect for our lunch!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
I have nver made my own pita bread but these instructions are so easy to follow. I'm definitely trying this recipe.
Anjali
I had no idea it was so easy to make fresh pita bread at home from scratch! This turned out so great - the pita was soft, fluffy and perfectly cooked - way better than store bought!
beth
I've never tried making pita breads at home before. These look the perfect texture!
Natalie
I love making bread, and your recipe is one of my favorite. Kids love it and never seem to get enough of it, thanks!
Janie | Naughty Kitchen
One of the best pitas to make! Its soft and fluffy too. I usually use this when I make my sandwiches!
cyndy
This was my first time making my own pita bread. Thank you for the simple directions! It turned out perfect and delicious. Served with chicken kabobs!
Juliane
This is a really big help! Thank you for sharing.