Easy Pita Bread Recipe (+ how to warm up pitas)

Make delicious, fluffy pita bread at home with this easy recipe. Discover the best ways to heat up pita bread using various methods like the toaster oven, gas stove, and microwave. Follow our step-by-step guide to enjoy warm, delightful pita bread perfect for any meal.

Pita bread, also known as Arabic Bread, Syrian Bread, or Greek Pita Bread, is a famous Middle Eastern bread that has become a staple in many cultures. This versatile Greek flatbread is essential in countless Greek dishes. It is often served with an assortment of meze’s, dips, and spreads such as melitzanosalata, fava, feta cheese dip, tzatziki, and hummus. Other notable flatbreads from around the world include Naan from West and South Asia, Piadina from Italy, Pide from Turkey, Lavash from Armenia, and Roti from India.

One of the most well-known Greek dishes featuring pita bread is souvlaki, the beloved Greek street food. This pita bread sandwich is typically stuffed with meat, tzatziki, tomatoes, and onion slices, creating a delicious and convenient meal.

Whether you have homemade or store-bought pita bread, knowing how to warm them up properly can make all the difference. Warm pitas are much more enjoyable than cold or room temperature ones. This guide will walk you through the best methods to heat pita bread, ensuring they are perfect for any meal or occasion.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• How To Make Pita Bread
• Chef’s Tips
• Variations
• What to Serve With Pita Bread
• Storage Instructions
• How to Heat Up Pita Bread
• FAQ's
• Easy Pita Bread Recipe (+ how to warm up pitas)

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: This pita bread recipe uses a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, making it a simple and convenient option for any meal.
• No Special Equipment Needed: You don't need any special equipment to make this delicious pita bread. A stand mixer can make the process quicker, but it's just as easy to mix and knead the dough by hand.
• Versatile: Pita bread is perfect for a light lunch or snack. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of fillings, from tasty salads to hearty meats, making it a versatile addition to your meals.
• Stove Top: Cooking pita bread on the stove top is a quick and effective way to achieve that perfect puff. This method is great if you don't want to heat up your oven.
• Reheat: Leftover pitas are easy to reheat, maintaining their delightful texture. Whether you use a microwave, oven, or toaster oven, you'll always enjoy warm, soft pita bread.

Ingredients

• All Purpose Flour: The base of our pita bread, providing structure and texture.
• Instant Yeast: Helps the dough rise quickly, making the bread light and fluffy.
• Sugar: Feeds the yeast, aiding in the fermentation process for better rise.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the pita bread, balancing the sweetness of the sugar.
• Water: Activates the yeast and combines the ingredients to form a dough.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and richness to the dough, making the pita bread soft and tender.

How To Make Pita Bread

Combine the Dry Ingredient

• Sift the all-purpose flour into a mixing bowl. Add the instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
• Stir the dry ingredients together.

Make the Pita Dough

• Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and add lukewarm water and olive oil.

The dough can be made by hand or by using a stand mixer.

• If you make it by hand, stir all the ingredients together with a wooden spoon to form a dough. Transfer it to a clean countertop and knead it for 12 – 14 minutes. 
• If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead for 8 - 10 minutes

The dough should be smooth and elastic but still a bit tacky.

First Proof (1 – 2 hours)

• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it proof in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will take between 1 and 2 hours.

Shape the Pita Bread

• Gently knock down the proofed dough.
• Divide it into 8 equal portions and roll into balls.
• Press the balls down a bit and cover them with a clean tea towel.
• Lightly dust the countertop with flour and roll each ball out thinly and evenly until they are about 15 cm (6 inches) in diameter. 
• Place rolled out pita bread dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cover with a clean kitchen towel.

Second Proof (30 minutes)

• Proof for another 30 minutes in a warm place.

Bake the Pita Bread

The pita bread can be cooked in two different ways.

The Oven Method (our preferred method)

• Preheat the oven to (240°C) 450°F. Make sure the oven rack is in the middle of the oven.
• Just before baking, flip the rolled out pita breads over.
• Bake for 5 minutes or until light golden brown and puffed up.

The Stovetop Method

• Pitas can also be cooked in a large skillet on the stovetop.  Make sure the skillet is hot, flip pita breads over and place in the hot skillet. 
• Cook for 30 -40 seconds and flip over.  After about a minute it will start to puff up.  When it is fully puffed up, flip over again and cook for another minute.

Cool on a wire rack or wrap in a clean kitchen towel if you want the pitas to stay warm and soft.

Pitas are best when served warm, but can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days

Serve with mezze, dips or your favorite filling. Enjoy!

Chef’s Tips

Here's a few tips and tricks on storing and reheating pitas.

• Toaster Oven: Use a toaster oven for the best method to warm pita bread quickly and evenly. Wrap the pita in aluminum foil to retain moisture.
• Room Temperature: Allow pita bread to come to room temperature before reheating to ensure even warming.
• Damp Paper Towel: Cover the pita with a damp paper towel in the microwave to prevent it from drying out.
• Olive Oil: Brush pita with olive oil before heating to enhance flavor and keep it soft.
• Avoid Freezer Burn: Tightly wrap leftover pitas plastic wrap or foil and store in an airtight container or plastic bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness.

Variations

• Whole Wheat Flour: For a healthier twist, use a mix of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour to add more fiber and nutrients to your pita bread.

What to Serve With Pita Bread

• Souvlaki: Chicken souvlaki, pork souvlaki, beef souvlaki, lamb souvlaki, even lamb kofta kebab.
• Gyros: Pork gyros, chicken gyros – meat cut off in chunks from a spit.
• Dip: Tzatziki, melitzanosalata (roasted aubergine), skordalia (potato and garlic), hummus.
• Other Filling: Falafel, chicken salad, Greek salad.
• Pita Chips: Cut pita in wedges, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with za’atar. Bake in the oven. Serve with crudités and white bean dip or use in fattoush salad.

Storage Instructions

• Room Temperature: Cool pita bread completely, wrap in aluminum foil, store in an airtight container or airtight plastic bag. Pitas will last for 2-3 days.
• Freezer: Cool pita bread, wrap in aluminum foil, store in an airtight container or airtight plastic bag to protect from freezer burn. Pitas will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
• Reheat: There are different ways to heat pita bread. Defrost 1-2 hours at room temperature before reheating for best results.

How to Heat Up Pita Bread

Toaster Oven Method

• Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Wrap the pita bread in aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out.
• Place the wrapped pita in the toaster oven for about 10 minutes until warm and soft.

Microwave Method

• Wrap a damp paper towel around the pita bread.
• Place the wrapped pita on a microwave-safe plate.
• Microwave on medium-high heat for 15-second intervals until the pita is warm and soft.

Oven Method

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (180°C).
• Wrap the pita bread in aluminum foil.
• Bake for 10 minutes until the pita is warm.
• For a quick burst of steam, sprinkle a few drops of water on the pita before wrapping it in foil.
• Place pita on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, lightly brush with olive oil, and bake for 3-5 minutes.
• For faster heating, use a pizza stone or place directly on the oven rack.

Stove Top Method

• Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Brush pita bread lightly with olive oil.
• Place the pita bread directly on the skillet.
• Flip the pita after 30-40 seconds and heat the other side for another 30-40 seconds until warm and soft.

Air Fryer Method

• Preheat to 180°C (375°F).
• Lightly brush pita bread with olive oil.
• Place in the basket, and heat for 3-5 minutes.

FAQ's

Making your own pita bread at home is not only rewarding but also ensures that you have fresh, fluffy bread whenever you need it. This easy pita bread recipe takes you through simple steps that guarantee perfect results every time. Whether you're using the pita bread for sandwiches, dips, or as a side, the homemade touch will surely impress your family and friends.

Warming up pita bread is simple and makes a significant difference in your meals. Whether you use a toaster oven, microwave, or skillet, warm pita bread enhances the flavors and textures of your dishes. Try out these methods and enjoy the delightful taste of freshly heated pita. 

Don’t forget to share your favorite way of enjoying pita bread in the comments below and subscribe for more easy and delicious recipes!

Happy Baking!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.