Soft and Chewy Greek Pita Bread

Craving a taste of Greece without leaving your kitchen? Look no further than Homemade Greek Pita Bread! This versatile flatbread is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, and it's surprisingly easy to make. Pita bread is made with a simple dough of flour, water, yeast, and a touch of olive oil. After rising, the dough is rolled out into thin circles and cooked on a hot griddle or skillet until puffed and golden brown. The result is a soft, chewy bread with a slightly charred exterior.  Fill pita bread with your favorite ingredients, such as grilled chicken, hummus, tzatziki, and fresh vegetables, or serve with dips like hummus, tzatziki, or baba ghanoush.

What is Greek Pita Flatbread?

Greek pita flatbread is a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, known for its soft, chewy texture and slightly charred exterior. It's often used to scoop up hummus, falafel, and other delicious Middle Eastern dishes.

Pita bread is a flatbread made from a simple dough of flour, water, yeast, and olive oil. The dough is rolled out into thin circles and cooked on a hot griddle or skillet until it puffs up and becomes golden brown. The characteristic pocket that forms in the pita bread is often used to hold fillings.

While often associated with Greece, pita bread's origins can be traced back to the ancient Near East. Flatbreads similar to pita have been found in archaeological records dating back thousands of years.

Did you know? The name "pita" comes from the Greek word "πίτα," meaning "flatbread."

Tips

• For a chewy texture, use a combination of all-purpose flour and bread flour.
• To prevent the dough from drying out, cover it with a damp cloth while rising.
• To ensure even cooking, heat the griddle or skillet to a medium-high temperature before adding the pita bread.
• For a crispy exterior, cook the pita bread for an extra minute or two after it puffs up.
• For a flavorful twist, add a pinch of dried oregano or thyme to the dough.
• To make mini pita bread, divide the dough into smaller pieces and roll them out into smaller circles.
• For a fun variation, try adding a tablespoon of whole wheat flour to the dough for a heartier texture.

Greek Pita Vs. Regular Pita

Greek pita is thicker, softer, and typically without the signature pocket you find in regular pita. Regular pita, often used for stuffing with ingredients, has a thin, hollow interior created by high-heat baking. Greek pita is better suited for wraps or flatbread-style dishes, while regular pita works best as a pocket bread.

Can I Use a Different Type of Flour for This Recipe?

While all-purpose flour is commonly used, you can experiment with other flours like bread flour or whole wheat flour for a different texture and flavor.

How Long Should the Dough Rise?

The dough should rise until doubled in size, which usually takes about 1-2 hours in a warm place.

Why Won't My Pita Puff Up?

If the pita doesn’t puff up during cooking, it’s likely due to uneven heat or improper rolling of the dough. For pita to puff, the dough needs to be rolled out evenly, and the cooking surface must be very hot to create steam inside, which causes the bread to puff. If the pan isn’t hot enough or the dough is too thick, the steam can’t form properly, preventing the pita from puffing.

Can I Freeze Leftover Pita Bread?

Yes, you can freeze leftover pita bread for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer bag.

What Can I Serve with Pita Bread?

Pita bread is often served with Middle Eastern dips like hummus, tzatziki, and baba ghanoush. You can also fill it with grilled meat, vegetables, or cheese.

Is Pita Bread Gluten-Free?

Traditional pita bread is made with wheat flour and is therefore not gluten-free. However, you can find gluten-free pita bread options at many grocery stores.

More Types of Bread You Should Try!

Crunchy Zucchini Flatbread

Venezuelan Arepas

Turkish Bazlama

Moroccan Batbout

Turkish Balloon Bread

Cheese Stuffed Flatbread

Arabic Pita Bread

How to Store Greek Pita Bread

To store leftover pita bread, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

How To Make Greek Pita Bread

In a bowl, combine flour, dry yeast, water, extra virgin olive oil, and salt.

Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 3 hours).

Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces.

Roll each piece into a 20cm disc.

Heat a skillet or griddle over high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil and cook each pita disc for about 2 minutes per side or until puffed and golden brown.

Serve warm pita bread on a platter. Enjoy with your favorite dips, spreads, or fillings.