Nothing beats the aroma of freshly baked pita bread, especially when it’s soft, fluffy, and slightly chewy. This easy-to-follow recipe creates perfect pockets that puff up beautifully, making them ideal for stuffing with falafel, grilled meats, or fresh salads. It’s great for a dish like our Egyptian-Style Smoked Brisket With Sumac Onions And Fresh Salata Baladi.
Just Six Ingredient Pita Breads
Made with just a few simple ingredients—flour, yeast, water, salt, sugar, and olive oil—these pitas are incredibly light yet sturdy enough to hold your favourite fillings. The secret to their irresistible texture lies in the kneading and resting process, which ensures a soft, pliable dough. Cooking them quickly in a hot pan gives them their signature golden-brown spots and allows the steam to create that classic pocket inside.
Unlike store-bought versions, homemade pita stays fresh longer and has a delicious depth of flavour. They’re also incredibly versatile—serve them warm with hummus, slice them into crispy pita chips, or enjoy them as a side with soups and stews.
A Good Rest and High Heat
For best results, let the dough rest before rolling and use high heat when cooking. Wrapping them in a clean tea towel after baking helps lock in moisture, keeping them soft for hours.
Whether you’re making a quick lunch or preparing a Middle Eastern feast, this pita bread recipe will quickly become a favourite. Once you’ve tasted homemade, you’ll never go back to shop-bought again! If you like this recipe you should also have a look at our recipe for delicious and easy Soft Flour Tortillas.
Ready in under two hours, these pitas are well worth the effort. Try them today and taste the difference!
Soft & Fluffy Pita Bread
Ingredients
- 500 g strong white bread flour
- 7 g instant yeast
- 10 g salt
- 5 g sugar fine
- 300 ml warm water
- 30 ml olive oil extra virgin
Instructions
Make the dough
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, salt, and sugar. Add the warm water and olive oil, then mix until a rough dough forms. Knead for about 8–10 minutes (or use a stand mixer for 5 minutes) until smooth and elastic.
First Rise
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
Shape the Pitas
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into rounds about 5mm thick. Cover and let them rest for 20 minutes—this helps with puffing!
Cook the Pitas
- Preheat a heavy-based frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each pita for 1–2 minutes per side, until they puff up and develop golden spots.
Keep The Pitas Soft
- Wrap the cooked pitas in a clean tea towel to keep them warm and soft.
Tips for the Best Pita Bread
- Use high heat for a quick puff. Let the dough rest before rolling and cooking. Keep pitas covered after cooking to stay soft. Perfect for filling, dipping, or eating warm with butter! Enjoy!