This super easy Greek pita bread recipe with just 2-ingredients is perfect for making gyros and sandwiches. With just flour and yogurt, you can make soft and fluffy pita in less than an hour without proofing.
The chewy texture and puffy center make this delicious homemade pita bread recipe a popular choice for Middle Eastern cuisine.
Contents
🌟 Why this recipe works
Homemade pita bread is far superior to any store-bought pita. Not only is it fresh, but you can control the ingredients that go into making it. This recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
The combination of self-raising flour and yogurt makes a delicious and light pita bread that doesn't require proofing. The type of flour used in this pita recipe is perfect for making quick and easy pita bread.
It's the perfect pita dough for beginners because you don't need a stand mixer or special equipment to make it. Just your hands to knead the soft dough and shape it.
The chewy texture and puffed center make it the perfect vessel for making homemade gyros with tasty meat, lettuce, tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce. Whether it is fried or baked, you'll love how delicious and easy making pita bread is.
The aroma of freshly baked pita smells amazing and reminds me of walking into a bakery on Monday morning! What's more is that you can add herbs and spices to add more flavor to the pita breads, and they store well so that you can enjoy them again and again.
Explore these delicious Greek soups that you can add to your recipes collection.
🍽 Key ingredients
There are only 2 key ingredients in this recipe, which you probably already have in your pantry, and to cook them, you'll need a cast iron skillet.
Flour - The best flour to use for this recipe is self-raising flour because it removes the need for extra leavening agents like active dry yeast and baking powder.
Greek yogurt - When choosing natural yogurt, choose one with low-fat content. The yogurt adds
Oil - You'll also need some extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil to fry the pita breads.
Substitutions
Flour
You can use all-purpose flour in place of the self-rising flour, but you will need to add 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt to the recipe. Alternatively, you can use whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
Yogurt
Sour cream or buttermilk are equal substitutes for yogurt in this recipe.
🔪 How to make
Pita bread is one of the easiest things you'll ever make, and the soft chewy texture will complement anything you stuff inside it, from gyros to pizza. Follow my step-by-step instructions below for the perfect pita every time.
Preparations
Step 1
Add the Greek yogurt to a large mixing bowl and gradually add the flour, mixing with a wooden spoon until a ball starts to form.
Step 2
Pour the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. It's OK if the dough sticks to the bowl. It will scrape off and form nicely when kneaded.
Step 3
Knead the dough on the floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth, then form into a ball.
Step 4
Clean the mixing bowl and place the dough ball into it covered with a towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rest in a warm place for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 5
Remove the dough from the bowl and cut it into 6 individual pieces. Roll the dough balls using a rolling pin on the work surface with the remaining flour.
Step 6
For the best results, roll the dough balls out as thin as possible as they will rise during cooking.
Cooking instructions
Step 7
Heat a large cast-iron skillet on medium heat with a spoonful of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, place the flattened dough (cooking one at a time) into the hot skillet.
Step 8
Watch the dough rise instantly as it cooks. Cook for 2 minutes on either side, then transfer the pita bread to a plate and cover with a towel to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Step 9
Serve the warm pita with your favorite dipping, and enjoy!
💭 Cooking tips
Oven-baked
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the flattened dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 8-10 minutes. Remove the baked pitas as soon as they start to puff out and color slightly.
Using the bread maker
If you have a bread machine with a dough hook attachment, it will mix and knead the dough perfectly. Keep an eye on the consistency to add more flour or yogurt as necessary. The dough should be soft and stretchy.
For the perfect puffy pita bread
For the best puffy pita bread, don't move them around during cooking. Allow them to cook on medium heat for 2 minutes without moving them to allow the heat to rise through the bread to puff properly before turning it over.
📖 Variations
This pita bread is a wonderful recipe for adding some herbs and spices to the mixture to give the bread more flavor. Here are a few variations to the base recipe.
Herbed pita bread
Give the pita dough a flavor boost by adding 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, basil, or thyme to the flour mixture. If you want to use fresh herbs, I recommend doubling the quantity.
Spiced pita bread
Add some spice to your pitas with a teaspoon of chili powder or smoked paprika. Red pepper flakes are also a good option. You could also use 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped red chili peppers for extra heat.
Garlic pita bread
One of my favorite ways to add flavor to bread recipes is to finely chop 3 or 4 garlic cloves and add them to the dough. The garlic flavor really comes through when they're being cooked.
Cheesy pita bread
Another great variation is to grate ¼ cup of parmesan cheese into the flour or mix 250g of cream cheese with the flour and use half the amount of yogurt for a delicious creamy texture pita.
🥗 What to serve with
Homemade pita bread is the perfect vessel for many flavorful dishes, from gyros, pizzas, sandwiches, and hummus. Here are some suggestions:
Homemade gyro recipe
This flavorsome gyro recipe is one of the easiest and best ways to enjoy a typical Greek meal. It's made with marinated lamb and beef baked in the oven on a skewer, then sliced thin and quickly fried in a hot skillet until crispy. Stuff the fresh pita with lettuce, tomato, tzatziki sauce, and thinly sliced gyro meat.
Pita bread pizza
Use the pitas as a base for your favorite pizza toppings. Once they are cooked, spread the pizza sauce (marinara italian sauce) over and top with cheese, sliced onions, and gyro meat. Place it on a pizza stone or baking stone and bake in the oven on high until the cheese becomes golden brown.
Hummus
Hummus is a great way to enjoy freshly made pitas. They are great for cutting into strips and dipping into some flavorsome hummus, and this lentil hummus recipe is so good and easy to make. It's an upgrade on the classic chickpea hummus, but with all the spices and flavors. Also, great to serve with Avgolemono Greek lemon chicken soup.
🙋 Frequently asked questions
Is pita bread healthier than bread?
No. Seen as both pita and normal bread are made with similar ingredients, they are equally calorific. In general, there are around 165 calories in pita bread, which is OK if you are stuffing them with healthy salad and meat.
Can I make gluten-free pita bread?
Yes, you can easily make gluten-free pita by using a gluten-free flour variant instead of self-raising flour. The dough may not puff up as it would with self-raising flour, but the flavor will still be the same.
Are naan and pita bread the same thing?
No, they are not. Naan is made with Maida flour, which is a type of white wheat flour, and pita is made with self-raising flour, which is wheat flour with baking powder. Naan is also leavened with yeast, which gives it a chewier texture, while pita can be made with or without yeast.
🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
This homemade pita bread recipe stores and reheats perfectly once cooled.
Fridge - Store any leftover pita in an airtight container or zip lock bag in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Room temperature - You can also store pita in the cupboard or bread bin for 3 days in a zip lock bag.
Freezer - Freeze the leftover pitas for up to 2 months in an airtight container with parchment paper between each pita.
Reheating - Pop the pita into a toaster or under the grill until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, place straight into a hot preheated oven for 5 to 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a microwave for 1 minute on medium-high power.
🍳 Related recipes
If you like this pita bread recipe, try my delicious bread recipes in your next meal.
If you like Greek cousine, you should try one of these fantastic greek recipes including my Greek pizza, Greek baklava that are perfect for any time of the day.
👪 Serving size
This pita bread recipe yields 6 pitas, with each one being around 6 to 7 inches in diameter, which is enough for 6 servings if used with the gyro recipe.
Pita is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you're making a gyro or pizza or simply dipping it in some hummus, homemade pitas are the perfect vessel for any number of flavorful dishes. And, with just two ingredients, it's easy to make at home. So, next time you're in the mood for some delicious pita bread, give this recipe a try!
📋 Recipe
Homemade Pita Bread (Easy 2 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 2 cups Self rising flour,
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, plain 2% or 0%
Instructions
Preparations
- Add the Greek yogurt to a large mixing bowl and gradually add the flour, mixing with a wooden spoon until a ball starts to form.
- Pour the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. It's OK if the dough sticks to the bowl. It will scrape off and form nicely when kneaded.
- Knead the dough on the floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes elastic and smooth, then form into a ball.
- Clean the mixing bowl and place the dough ball into it covered with a towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rest in a warm place for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and cut it into 6 individual pieces. Roll the dough balls using a rolling pin on the work surface with the remaining flour.
- For the best results, roll the dough balls out as thin as possible as they will rise during cooking.
Cooking instructions
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet on medium heat with a spoonful of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, place the flattened dough (cooking one at a time) into the hot skillet.
- Watch the dough rise instantly as it cooks. Cook for 2 minutes on either side, then transfer the pita bread to a plate and cover with a towel to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Serve the warm pita with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
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