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Soft and Fluffy Homemade Pita Bread with Perfect Pockets

A warm stack of freshly made pita bread wrapped partially in a white kitchen towel.
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You can make incredibly soft, fluffy homemade pita bread that puffs into perfect pockets using basic pantry ingredients. This straightforward recipe works well for stovetop cooking and is ideal for gyros, wraps, or dipping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup warm water (about 105°F to 115°F)
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (optional, for extra softness)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let this mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This shows the yeast is active.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the foamy yeast mixture, olive oil, and Greek yogurt (if using) to the dry ingredients.
  3. Mix everything until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
  4. Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  6. Gently punch down the risen dough. Divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball.
  7. Cover the dough balls and let them rest for 10 minutes.
  8. Working with one ball at a time, roll it out into a thin circle, about 1/8 inch thick and 6 to 7 inches in diameter. Keep the other balls covered while you work.
  9. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until it is very hot; do not add oil to the pan.
  10. Carefully place one rolled pita into the hot, dry pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until bubbles appear on the surface.
  11. Flip the pita. It should puff up almost immediately, creating the pocket. Cook the second side for about 1 minute until lightly golden spots appear.
  12. Remove the pita from the pan and immediately wrap it in a clean kitchen towel to keep it soft while you cook the remaining pitas.
  13. Serve your homemade pita bread warm.

Notes

  • For the best pocket formation, make sure your pan is very hot before cooking each pita.
  • If you are not serving the pitas right away, keep them wrapped tightly in a towel to trap the steam, which keeps them soft.
  • This recipe makes a great vegan pita bread recipe if you omit the optional Greek yogurt.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenican.com/pita-bread-recipe-soft-fluffy-pockets/