Name: Homemade Pita Bread
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 tsp salt; 1 tbsp active dry yeast; 1/3 cup milk, warm; 1/3 cup water, warm; 2 tbsp olive oil

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This recipe makes soft and fluffy pita bread using ingredients you already have in your kitchen, such as flour, yeast, olive oil, and milk. They are the perfect addition to your next Mediterranean meal.

Overhead view of fresh pita bread on a white tiled background, perfect for food styling and recipe use.

When Dreams Become Reality

Do you ever dream of devouring pillowy soft bread and waking to whiffs of it coming from your own kitchen? Well, did you know that you can bring this dream to life?

Sitting down in a popular restaurant in the bustling city of Athens, with food as far as the eye could see, and the aroma of fresh-baked pita bread filled the air. No. This is not a dream; I lived it.

People here were happy, spending time with their loved ones, making new memories, and, let’s not forget, enjoying some of the best food on the planet. I might be a little biased, but I think Mediterranean food is some of the healthiest and most delicious food that exists. It not only tastes fresh, but it is fresh! Using ingredients that Mother Earth provides and methods that have stood the test of time yields recipes that do not fail, a skill that the Greeks have mastered.

As food piled up on our table, covering every inch possible, I couldn’t wait to dive in. Varying meats, salad, dips, rice, and some pita bread lay in front of us. Greek food is family-style and is primarily eaten with your hands. Now, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to eat some of these foods with your hands. Let me share the answer with you – pita bread. Due to its fluffy texture, it can be torn into pieces and used as a spoon for scooping dips such as tzatziki sauce and baba ganoush. It is also the right amount of density for filling with meats, rice, and sauce to build a Classic Greek Gyro Sandwich.

Why THIS Recipe?

Not only does this recipe include a few simple ingredients that you already have in your pantry, but it also makes some of the best pita bread one could imagine. It combines staple ingredients in the perfect combination to create the fluffiest and tastiest pita bread with minimal hands-on time! Pita bread is ideal for dips, as a side, or even as a base for traditional Greek meals, and with this recipe, you will soon be making these as often as you can.

The Things Inside: The Ingredients

All-Purpose Flour – just your generic flour is all you need
Salt – sea salt to add a little flavor
Active Dry Yeast – I buy the jar and store it in the fridge
Milk – a higher-fat milk, like 2%, is ideal
Water – a little tap water never hurt anyone
Olive Oil – a quality olive oil is best

Building The Dish: Step-By-Step Guide

Step 1
First up, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, yeast, and salt) in a large mixing bowl until combined.
Step 2
Time to activate the yeast! Add in the warm milk and water, then stir to combine. Ensure that your milk and water are warm, not hot, as hot liquid kills the yeast, and warm liquid activates it.
Step 3
Watch the dough form. Add in the olive oil, then knead the dough in the bowl for a few minutes until it forms into a ball.
Step 4
Next, brush some olive oil on the bottom and sides of a separate bowl, then add the dough, turning it to coat all sides.
Step 5
Let it grow! Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm area for approximately an hour until it doubles in size.
Step 6
Sprinkle flour on a clean, flat surface before turning out the dough onto the surface and cutting it into 8 equal pieces.
Step 7
Roll, baby, roll. Gently stretch each piece into a circular shape, then roll it out with a rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick. Make each one about 7-8 inches wide.
Step 8
Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil, coating the pan.
Step 9
Working one pita bread at a time by placing it in the hot skillet for about one minute until bubbles form, and the bottom is brown. Drizzle more olive oil on top, then flip to cook the other side for another minute.

The Perfect Pairing

Pita bread is tasty enough on its own, but if you want to elevate your pita bread, simply brush on some melted garlic and herb butter just after cooking.

This dish is the ideal Mediterranean food for a variety of meals. Add to your meze platter – basically a Greek charcuterie board – with other Greek favorites such as Traditional Greek Dolmades, Baba Ganoush, and Authentic Tzatziki Sauce for the grazers in your life.

If you are looking for a more solid feast, they are also perfect for building Greek Gyros or filling with Easy Chicken Souvlaki and Zesty Greek Lemon Rice served with a side of Refreshing Greek Salad, and you are set!

Have Leftovers?

Okay, okay, okay, so you might have a few of these leftover, so you’ll want to know how to store them. These are best kept in an airtight container or storage bag on the counter at room temperature for up to two days. They can also be stored in the fridge for up to four days. If you want to keep these around for a little longer, you can freeze them for a few months in a freezer-safe bag. These can be enjoyed at room temperature or reheated. For best reheating results, either warm them in the oven or in a warm skillet with a little olive oil.

Homemade Pita Bread

Author: Caitlyn
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1/3 cup milk, warm
1/3 cup water, warm
2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt until combined.
Add in the warm milk and water and stir to combine.
Next, add the olive oil and knead the dough in the bowl for a few minutes until the dough forms into a ball.
Brush some olive oil on the bottom and sides of a separate bowl, then add the dough, turning it to coat all sides.
Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm area for approximately an hour until it doubles in size.
Flour a clean, flat surface. Turn out the dough onto the surface and cut it into 8 equal pieces.
Gently stretch each piece into a circular shape, then roll it out with a rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick (each circle will be about 7-8 inches wide).
Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to coat the pan.
Cook one pita bread at a time by placing it in the hot skillet for about one minute until bubbles form, and the bottom is brown. Drizzle more olive oil on top, then flip to cook the other side for another minute. Enjoy!

Notes

Make sure your milk and water are warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it.
Use a cast-iron skillet for best results, or a heavy-bottomed pan.

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Greece
Cuisine: Greek