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A stack of round, golden Pita Bread sits on a wooden tray next to a striped cloth and a small ceramic bowl.

Pita Bread

Mandy Applegate
This homemade Pita Bread is one of those recipes that feels special but is surprisingly simple to pull off. You get soft, fluffy rounds that are way better than anything from the store, and they work for everything from busy weeknight dinners to summer potlucks or game day spreads. The best part is you can make them ahead, freeze extras, and just reheat when you need them. It’s the kind of versatile recipe that always earns a spot in your regular rotation.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Rising time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
Servings 12
Calories 185 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ¾ cup warm water
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar divided, plus 1 teaspoon
  • 3 ¾ cups bread flour plus more for dusting
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for greasing
  • ¾ cup Greek yogurt

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir gently, then let it sit for 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy.
    ¾ cup warm water, 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Add the bread flour, salt, remaining 1 tablespoon sugar, olive oil, and Greek yogurt to the yeast mixture. Stir until the dough comes together.
    3 ¾ cups bread flour, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, ¾ cup Greek yogurt
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 7–10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a clean bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Punch down the risen dough and turn it onto a clean surface. Divide into 12 equal pieces and roll each into a ball. Using a rolling pin, flatten each ball into a circle about ¼–½ inch thick. Arrange them on the baking sheets, leaving space between each.
  • Bake one sheet at a time until the pitas puff up and turn lightly golden on top. Begin checking at 5 minutes — they typically take about 8 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning.
  • Transfer baked pitas to a wire rack. Serve warm or store for later use.

Video

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="Vynm4W1I" upload-date="2025-09-11T11:00:40+00:00" name="How to Make Homemade Pita Bread" description="Soft homemade pita bread perfect for wraps, dips, and gyros." player-type="default" override-embed="default"]

Notes

  • Check the yeast first: Make sure you use lukewarm water, not cold or hot. If the yeast doesn’t foam after 5 minutes, start over with fresh yeast. You can also use instant yeast instead, which activates quickly and can shorten the rise time.
  • Mix wet to dry: Always add the flour after the yeast mixture has activated, so the rise isn’t slowed down. If you add it too early, the dough won’t rise well, and you’ll end up with less lift in your bread.
  • Season with the right salt: Using kosher salt instead of table salt gives a cleaner, less sharp flavor in the dough, and it dissolves more evenly during mixing. I like keeping this salt grinder on hand, so I can easily control the amount when seasoning.
  • Experiment with flour swaps: Bread flour gives chew, all-purpose flour makes them softer, and adding some whole wheat flour brings extra flavor and nutrition. Think of it like pizza dough; the flour you choose changes the bite and texture.
  • Knead until smooth: Keep working the dough until it’s elastic and springs back slightly when poked. This builds structure, which is key to a perfect pita puff.
  • Try a stand mixer: Use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook on medium speed to knead the dough faster. It saves effort and gives you a very consistent gluten structure, though hand-kneading lets you feel the dough better.
  • Let the dough rise fully: Don’t rush this step; wait until its size is doubled for a softer, airier texture, which will be worth it.
  • Preheat the oven completely: You need high heat for pita bread, so make sure the oven and baking sheets are fully hot before the dough goes in. That’s what makes the steam kick in and creates the pocket inside.

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 6gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 297mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.002mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 0.4mg
Keyword Pita Bread
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