If you ever taste homemade pitas you will never settle for store-bought again! These homemade pitas are so soft and light and tasty . . . a heavenly pillow ready to be filled with a tasty filling or dipped in a delicious sauce.
For this recipe, you will need all-purpose flour, purified or distilled water, sugar, salt, instant dry yeast.
Making your own pitas couldn’t be simpler. If you make them once, your family will insist that you make them on a regular basis. We can’t keep our family stocked with this wonderful bread!
Before we left in December we made six dozen of them to split between the three families. To say we love to bake is an understatement . . . three 50 pound bags of King Arthur flour in less than a year.
There are so many ideas you for pitas as a base. Here are a few to sample.
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Quick and Easy Pita
Tutti a tavola è pronto!
Un caro saluto e alla prossima.
Quick and Easy Pitas the Heavenly Pillows
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups warm water 110 degrees F, 45 degrees C
- 6 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 teaspoons white sugar
- 3 teaspoons instant dry yeast
Instructions
- Whisk dry ingredients together in a bowl.
- In bowl of a stand mixer combine warm water and olive oil.
- Pour the dry ingredients on top of the water and with the dough hook attachment mix the ingredients together about 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium low until the dough is smooth and elastic, abut 5 minutes. The dough will be a little tacky.
- Let the dough rise in a greased covered bowl until almost double in size. About 1 1/2 hours. The time will depend on the heat in your kitchen.
- When doubled preheat oven to 500 F (260 C)
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Roll and stretch the dough gently into a long rope. With a bench knife or sharp knife divide the dough into 12 pieces. Form each piece into a smooth tight ball by stretching the sides to the bottom until it is taut. You may need to repeat this several times.
- After you've formed the balls start at the first one you made and using you fingers pat each ball down to form a small disk. Once you've done this to the 12 pieces use a rolling pin to roll each pita into a 4" circle. They should be 1/4" thick. You don't want them too thin or they won't puff up.
- Put the pitas on a lightly floured countertop and cover them with a towel. Let pitas rise 30 minutes, just until they begin to puff.
- When ready, place 3 pitas on a nonstick wire cake rack. Place cake rack directly on the oven rack or baking stone. Bake 4 to 5 minutes until puffed and they are slightly brown.
- Remove them from the oven immediately and cover them with a damp towel.
- We have several cake racks so we're able to keep the pitas baking until all are finished. We cool them right on the rack with the damp towel. The damp towel is important because you don't want the pitas to get hard. If you don't have additional rack you may have to put them in a sealed brown paper bag and reuse the cake rack for the additional pitas.
- Once they are cool wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze them in a large freezer bag. They freeze well, but I can't tell you for how long -- they are gobbled up pretty quickly.
Notes
- Optional: You can add 1 tablespoon garlic or onion powder. Also you can add 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning, or any other combination that you like. Add this to the dry ingredients.
Nutrition
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Dana says
August 21, 2018 at 8:31 amI’ve been wanting to make homemade pitas for ages! They seem so easy, and I know I’d use them up no problem. I do plan on making some hummus this week, so maybe I’ll take a go at some of these from-scratch pillows of deliciousness to go along with them.
Marisa Franca says
August 22, 2018 at 7:03 amYou’ll love the homemade pitas, Dana!
Tracy Koslicki says
August 21, 2018 at 12:14 am6 dozen! And 150 lbs of flour in a year?! I LOVE that. And I adore homemade pitas, which really are heavenly pillows! Ha!
Marisa Franca says
August 22, 2018 at 7:05 amI’m with you Tracy — you can’t beat homemade pitas.
Sean@Diversivore says
August 20, 2018 at 11:55 pmHeavenly pillows is right!! I realize that it might not sound particularly normal to say that a bunch of air looks especially appetizing, but you can practically taste the difference that all that lightness and fluffiness will make to the final product. I’ve never made pita myself but now that I see how doable it is I think I’m going to have to change that. Cheers!
Marisa Franca says
August 22, 2018 at 7:06 amYou’ll love making homemade pitas, Sean. They taste great by themselves or filled with some goodies.
Sara says
August 20, 2018 at 9:01 amI absolutely LOVE pita bread, and I would love to make it from scratch! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Michele says
August 20, 2018 at 6:02 amThere’s nothing like fresh pita bread! It’s so much better than the pre-packaged variety you find in the grocery store. Pinning to try this. I’ve never made my own, but these look amazing!
Debra says
August 19, 2018 at 8:54 pmIt’s so hard to find fresh pita around here. I’ve never tried to make it from scratch, but this looks both easy and tasty. Going to blow my family away by making these. Yay!
Amanda Mason says
August 19, 2018 at 8:36 pmThese look great! Have you tried to make a gluten free version using a flour such as Bob’s Red Mill flour? I’m wondering it they would turn out ok?
Annemarie says
August 18, 2018 at 10:06 pmWhat cute (and tasty looking) pillows you made! I love making my own bread and pitas sound like a great idea since there is nothing like fresh. And thanks for all the good tips – I’ll be sure to follow them.
Lorie says
August 18, 2018 at 11:37 amWho knew they were so quick and easy to make? We used to get them from a small bakery in town and they were out of this world compared to the ones at the grocery. Guess I gotta make them now!
Marisa Franca says
August 18, 2018 at 2:08 pmHi, Lorie!! You won’t regret making them at home.
Sanna says
August 18, 2018 at 12:00 amThese pitas look perfect! I love stuffing them with thinly sliced beef and vegetables. I need to try to make them at home!
Marisa Franca says
August 18, 2018 at 7:44 amThat sounds wonderful, Sanna! You’re making me hungry!
Jennifer Bigler says
August 17, 2018 at 11:54 pmWow, look at the beautiful pillows! I love pita stuffed with tuna salad, it has always been a favorite of mine. I have never made my own pita though and your recipe looks super easy to follow.
Marisa Franca says
August 18, 2018 at 7:44 amHi, Jennifer! You have to make some pitas — they really are easy and fun.
Carmy says
August 17, 2018 at 8:55 pmThese pitas look SO fluffy – like a PILLOW! I can’t believe these are homemade! I need these pitas in my belly ASAP. I cannot wait to eat these.
Tina says
August 17, 2018 at 4:14 amThese look nuts, and it’s making me want to get into the kitchen to make this now! I can’t believe you made so many at once.. well done to you! I have never made pita before, but sounds like something I need to do.
Marisa Franca says
August 18, 2018 at 7:50 amThey are fun to make, Tina! And we figure since we have everything out, might as well make more than one batch.
Nicolas Hortense says
August 17, 2018 at 3:05 amThey look so soft and light. Like actual pillows. I am just picturing that with a super comforting curry beside it. Awesome post Marisa!!
Amanda says
August 16, 2018 at 6:41 amMarisa, these pita breads are GORGEOUS! I love snacking on pita, but have only had the store-bought kind. What a treat to make them at home and be able to enjoy them, warm, freshly-baked! I’m not sure why I always thought they’d be quite complicated to make, but your tutorial really breaks it down nicely and makes it sound easily do-able. Can’t wait to try my hand at them!
Lisa says
August 15, 2018 at 9:05 amI’ve never made my own pitas before, but I’ve tasted the difference between the store-bought – dry-as-a-bone pita from my grocery and the light, fluffy, still-warm pitas from my local Greek restaurant. There’s no comparison. Your recipe sounds very user-friendly and those pitas look simply outstanding. I like to dip mine in hummus and chopped olives – can’t wait to make this recipe!
Annemarie says
August 15, 2018 at 8:43 amMy daughter recently made homemade pita bread at a cooking camp, and we were talking about making it at home this week. Your recipe looks perfect!
Kelly Anthony says
August 15, 2018 at 7:20 amThose are heavenly homemade pillows indeed! They look fantastic!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
August 14, 2018 at 8:12 pmThese look perfect! Making pitas is a bit daunting to me, but your recipe makes it look like something I could attempt! Thank you!
Sarah says
August 14, 2018 at 5:28 pmI saw an episode of the Great British Bakeoff where they had to make these, and it looked complicated! Your recipe seems easier. I love love love fresh pita bread, and these look so fluffy and delicious. I want one now!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
August 14, 2018 at 12:21 pmI’ve never made pitas before, but would certainly love to try after seeing your recipe!! Nothing like homemade and these certainly do look like pillows 😉
Marisa Franca says
August 14, 2018 at 1:00 pmHi, Dawn! Homemade tastes so much better.
Shobee says
August 13, 2018 at 8:34 pmWow, Marisa. Your instruction made me want to make my own Pita really soon. I am actually excited not to buy Pita anymore..
Marisa Franca says
August 14, 2018 at 1:02 pmYou’ll love the homemade, Shobee, and they are super simple.
Kristy Bernardo says
August 13, 2018 at 6:09 pmPita bread is such a versatile staple in our house. I will definitely have to try my hand at homemade!
Marisa Franca says
August 14, 2018 at 1:02 pmYou’ll love the homemade version, Kristy.
Molly Kumar says
March 4, 2018 at 9:26 pmWoW, look at those fluffy Pita!!! I looove Mediterranean food and make them at home too however, it’s been ages since I made one. I’ll try your recipe soon.
Marisa Franca says
March 5, 2018 at 6:24 amHi, Molly!! Hope you have a chance to make pitas — caveat though, your family will demand you make them all the time.
Kristina says
March 4, 2018 at 8:41 pmBuonissime! I’ve never made homemade pitas but these look amazing. And you’re right, they definitely look like “heavenly pillows.” Almost too pretty to eat (almost).
Marisa Franca says
March 5, 2018 at 6:23 amGrazie, Kristina! I know, we admire them briefly and then chow down. xoxo
Monica | Nourish & Fete says
March 4, 2018 at 3:53 pmI love to make homemade pitas, but never knew the trick about covering the baked ones with a damp towel to keep them from hardening – I can’t wait to try that with the next batch I make! Agreed that once you go homemade with pitas, you never go back. All the store-bought ones taste like cardboard to me now!
Marisa Franca says
March 5, 2018 at 6:25 amHi, Monica!! Yep, the trick is keeping them moist the minute they come out of the oven. And you’re right, store-bought just don’t taste as good.
Jennifer says
March 4, 2018 at 3:29 pmThere’s just nothing quite like homemade bread! I love how the whole house ends up with the delightful aroma. I’ve never tried baking pita bread before but this recipe looks SO simple and the bread is so puffy! Pita pillows indeed!!
Marisa Franca says
March 5, 2018 at 6:27 amHi, Jennifer! You can save on scented fresheners and candles — just bake bread. 😁 Have a wonderful day!
Neriz @ food and journeys says
March 4, 2018 at 3:03 pmIt’s been years since I had pita bread — maybe because I’ve never seen them these good. 🙂 At home, my go-to bread is piadina/piada.
I have to try your recipe though! It’s about time I alternate piadina with something else. 😉
Thanks!
Marisa Franca says
March 4, 2018 at 3:10 pmYou’ll have to make some, Neriz! They are so easy to make and delicious, to boot.
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
March 4, 2018 at 2:45 amI never realized pitas were so easy to make! You’re right, I’m definitely never going to settle for store-bought now! I can’t wait to give these a try.
Marisa Franca says
March 4, 2018 at 7:15 amHi, Claire! We love making them — they are so easy and our family enjoys them.
Anne Murphy says
March 1, 2018 at 4:03 pmOh, I haven’t made pita bread in ages! Mine never puffed that beautifully, though it still tasted terrific! Now I have to find or figure out a gluten free version – there must be one.
Marisa Franca says
March 1, 2018 at 5:21 pmHi, Anne! The recipe will guarantee you’ll get the pillows. Just follow the directions and should you have any problems just let me know.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
March 1, 2018 at 1:34 pmI have never made pita bread. But looking at your recipe makes me see how easy it is! I want my own homemade pita bread pillows (lovely name by the way). And I can’t believe you go through 50 pounds of flour! Yikes!! These pita pillows look so delicious and fun that I am going to make them, hopefully this weekend.
Marisa Franca says
March 1, 2018 at 5:22 pmElaine, you’ve got to try it. It’s really not difficult and the results are fantastic. xoxo
Kushi says
March 1, 2018 at 8:06 amThese look so perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Marisa Franca says
March 1, 2018 at 5:23 pmYou’re welcome! I hope you give them a try.
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
February 28, 2018 at 8:06 pmThese literally look like perfect pitas! There are so many possibilities with what you could use this recipe for! I love it!
Kiki Johnson says
February 28, 2018 at 2:30 pmYou Pitas puffed up beautifully! I have tried to make them myself before but mine never look that perfect! I will have to try your recipe!
Marisa Franca says
February 28, 2018 at 4:14 pmHi, Kiki! It’s a super easy recipe — you’ll love it.
Patti @Patty Cake's Pantry says
February 28, 2018 at 10:38 amI haven’t made homemade Pita Bread in ages, and I don’t remember mine being quite so fluffy. They really look like pillows. Now, I need to decide what to fill them with. Did you really go through 100 pounds of flour in a year? That’s a lot of baking.
Marisa Franca says
February 28, 2018 at 2:03 pmHi Patti! We go through more than that. It all depends on how much we’re giving to our kids and grandkids. We love to bake!!
Jovina Coughlin says
August 14, 2016 at 8:56 amYour kitchen sounds like mine. I have not made homemade pita, though and I am eager to make your recipe. Looks fantastic.
Marisa Franca says
August 14, 2016 at 9:39 amHi, Jovina! I’m updating some of my older posts that didn’t have SEO keywords attached to them. Yes, our kitchen is a hubbub of activity. We are making pitas today and a bread called Pane Bianco. The bread has cheese and roasted tomatoes in it. We have to do something indoors — it’s been raining so much. How are you holding up?
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
July 22, 2016 at 9:30 amThere’s nothing like homemade bread. I don’t even know how I started liking pitas, when all I had was the store-bought ones! Homemade pitas are soooo much better.
Marisa Franca says
July 23, 2016 at 8:44 amOh, I agree! Hubby and I are like an assembly line when we make them. We have 3 kids, their spouses, and 4 grandsons. They all love our homemade bread and the house smells so good. 🙂
munira says
September 28, 2014 at 2:48 amTks for sharing this receipe …hv always wanted to make pitas at home ..cant wait to try em…
Marisa Franca says
September 28, 2014 at 6:03 amI know you won’t be disappointed. When we make them we make several batches at a time. Our kids and grandkids love them so we are always making them, freezing them, and then taking the pitas to them when we visit.
Sheila says
March 22, 2014 at 11:30 amWill other flours work, such as whole wheat?
Marisa Franca says
March 22, 2014 at 3:02 pmTry starting with a third whole wheat and see how it raises. When we do use wheat we like to use the King Arthur white wheat. You’ll love the recipe and once you get going it’s almost like an assembly line. 🙂
Susie says
February 8, 2014 at 11:14 pmCan’t wait to try this recipe! Thanks, for sharing!
Marisa Franca says
February 9, 2014 at 5:36 amThey really are good. We share with the family and they go through them in no time 🙂