Homemade Pita Bread Greek Flatbread Recipes

THE EASIEST HOMEMADE PITA BREAD RECIPE!

Steps:

• To prepare this pitta bread recipe add in a mixer's bowl the yeast, sugar and water and blend to dissolve the yeast. Set aside for 5-10 minutes until yeast froths.
• Add the flour and salt and mix using the dough hook for 6-8 minutes. Alternatively you could mix the ingredients by hand.
• Depending on the flour used, the dough may need a little bit less or more flour than this pita bread recipe calls for. After mixing for a while the dough for your pita bread should become an elastic ball and a bit sticky.
• When ready, coat the dough with olive oil, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Let it sit in a warm place, for at least 20 minutes or until it doubles its size. This is an important step for this pita bread recipe. The first proof makes the pita bread fluffy and soft. If it is winter, turn the oven on for a minute or two, until it's a little warm, switch it off and then let the dough rise in it.
• Take the dough out of the bowl and gently deflate with your hands. Use just a tiny bit of flour to help you if it is too sticky. Split into 6 evenly sized balls around145g/ 5 oz. each.
• Let the pita bread balls rest for 15 minutes before shaping. This is the second proof and will allow your dough to relax and become easier to shape.
• To form the pita bread, you can either use a rolling pin, or stretch it with your hands, about 20cm in diameter. A rolling pin will make a crunchier pita, while hand stretching a softer, fluffier one. If the dough springs back, set it aside for a few minutes to rest and then continue rolling again.
• For a more traditional look on your pita bread, press the dough firmly with your fingertips forming dimples or use a fork to make some holes on top.
• , heat a non-sticking frying pan to medium heat and add just a little bit of olive oil and wipe off any excess. Bake each pita bread for about 3 minutes on each side, until slightly coloured and still soft. If your pan has a lid, place the lid on while baking them to keep the moisture in.
• use the steam method. Cut a piece of aluminium foil to the size of your pan. Generously sprinkle and spread some olive oil on it. Shape and place your pita on the foil. Pour a large glug of water in your plan over medium low heat - it should start steaming immediately! Place your pita immediately in it and cover with the lid. Let it steam for 12-15 minutes. Take it out, flip it over and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the foil.
• To give it more colour, when you flip your pita bread, push it lightly with a wooden spoon on the pan.

HOMEMADE PITA BREAD - GREEK FLATBREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl whisk together all of the ingredients except of flour.
• Start incorporating the flour into the mixture while mixing the dough with your hands.
• Depending on the strength of the flour you're using you may need to add a bit less or a bit more. Knead the dough for a minute or two until it feels very soft but without leaving fragments on your hands.
• Shape dough into a ball, cover with a tea towel and rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
• With a knife or dough cutter, divide the dough into 6 pieces.
• Shape each piece into a ball.
• Lightly flour your working surface, take the first dough ball and roll on all sides (flip it once) until you have a 19 cm / 7.4 inch round flatbread.
• Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Dip some paper towel into a bit of oil (I prefer olive oil) and lightly grease the bottom of the pan.
• Add the first flatbread and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side (don't let the pan get smoky hot remove from heat to cool if so). Flip the flatbread using a flat spatula.
• You may add flatbreads on top of each other creating a pile until you're finished making them. This way they won't air dry and stay more "elastic" if you're planning to use them as wraps.

GREEK PITA BREAD

Steps:

• Warm the water until it is about 37 degrees Celcius. Dissolve the yeast in the water. Add salt, sugar, and oil, and finally flour a little at a time. It is not certain that all the flour will be needed. The dough should be smooth and even, but should not be dry. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes.
• Let the dough rise for about 30 minutes.
• After rising, the dough is laid out on the table.
• Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. If you want to make the pitas a little bigger, you can just divide the dough into 6 parts.
• Roll out each piece of dough into a flatbread 2-3 mm thick.
• Let the pita bread rise for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the non-stick frying pan up to slightly higher than medium heat.
• Place one pita bread on the pan at a time, and bake it for about 3 minutes on one side.
• Turn the bread over and let it bake for 2-3 minutes on the other side until golden and baked through.
• Wrap the finished bread in a tea towel as they are baked. That way, they stay soft and warm until mealtime.