Description
Learn how to make perfectly fluffy pita bread at home, and create the perfect vessel for falafel and shawarma, or for scooping up hummus and tzatziki.
Ingredients
- 1 package instant yeast (I used Red Star Platinum yeast)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Activate the Yeast: Begin by placing your heavy-duty stand mixer on the counter and fitting it with the dough hook. In the mixer’s bowl, combine the instant yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir gently to blend. Ensure the water is warm, but not too hot, as overly hot water can kill the yeast. Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for about 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a layer of foam appears on the surface, indicating the yeast is activated.
2. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Now, stir in the salt. Start adding the bread flour bit by bit, mixing at the mixer’s lowest speed. This gradual incorporation ensures an even consistency and prevents the flour from puffing out. Continue mixing for about 4 minutes, or until the ingredients come together to form a cohesive dough ball.
3. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it gently but firmly, pressing and folding until it feels smooth and elastic. This step develops the gluten, essential for the bread’s structure.
4. First Rise: Lightly grease a mixing bowl with olive oil. Place your kneaded dough into this bowl, ensuring the dough’s top surface gets a light coating of oil—this prevents it from drying out. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm, draft-free corner of your kitchen. Allow the dough to rise until it’s doubled in size, which usually takes about 1½ hours.
5. Preheat the Oven: As your dough nears the end of its rise, get your oven ready. Place a large pizza stone on a lower oven rack and set the oven to preheat at a temperature of 500º. This high heat ensures the characteristic puff of the pita bread.
6. Divide and Rest: Once the dough has risen, give it a gentle punch to release any trapped air. Then, divide it into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball, lightly dust them with flour, and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let these dough balls rest for about 15 minutes. This short rest relaxes the gluten, making the next step easier.
7. Roll the Dough: Using a rolling pin, take each dough ball and roll it out into a 6-8 inch round. Aim for a thickness of about ¼-inch. It’s crucial to ensure that the round is even with no creases or folds, as this will aid in the bread puffing up evenly during baking. Once rolled, cover them to prevent drying.
8. Baking: Now for the exciting part! Carefully place two of your prepared dough rounds onto the preheated pizza stone in the oven. Bake for 3 to 4 minutes. You’ll see them puff up beautifully, becoming hollow in the center. Monitor closely to ensure they turn a pale golden color without burning.
9. Cooling: Once baked, remove the pita bread from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack. This ensures they remain crisp and don’t turn soggy from trapped steam. Allow them to cool slightly.
10. Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade pita breads are now ready! Slice them open to reveal the pocket and fill with your favorite ingredients, or simply enjoy them as they are with dips like hummus or tzatziki.
- Prep Time: 2hr
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern