Chef John’s Pita Bread

Description

Unlike lots of other baked products which are better from a bakery, this is so far superior to the stuff you get at the grocery store, it’s not even close. And in addition to being delicious to eat, it’s also extremely easy to make!

Ingredients

  • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (90 to 100 degrees F/32 to 38 degrees C)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ¾ teaspoons salt
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour, or more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided

Instructions

  1. Place yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer and add 1 cup warm water and 1 cup flour. Whisk together
  2. then let sit until mixture bubbles and foams
  3. 15 to 20 minutes.
  4. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and salt into the yeast mixture
  5. followed by 1 3/4 cups flour. Mix at low speed
  6. using a dough hook attachment
  7. until dough is soft
  8. supple
  9. and slightly sticky. If dough sticks to the sides of the bowl
  10. add up to 1/4 cup more flour
  11. a little at a time.
  12. Knead dough with machine on low speed until slightly springy and still soft
  13. 5 to 6 minutes. Turn dough out onto a floured work surface and form into a ball.
  14. Wipe inside of bowl with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil. Turn dough around in bowl to cover with a thin film of oil; cover bowl with foil and let sit until dough has doubled in size
  15. about 2 hours.
  16. Remove dough from bowl and place onto a floured work surface. Lightly pat into a flat shape about 1-inch thick. Use a knife to cut dough into 8 equal pieces.
  17. Form each piece into a small round ball with a smooth top
  18. pulling dough from the sides and tucking the ends underneath the bottom.
  19. Cover dough balls with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.
  20. Transfer the dough balls to a lightly floured work surface and sprinkle the tops with flour. One at a time
  21. gently pat the dough with your fingers
  22. forming a flat
  23. round bread about 1/4-inch thick. Let the shaped dough rest for 5 minutes.
  24. Brush a cast iron skillet with remaining 3/4 teaspoon olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Lay dough into the hot skillet; cook until puffy and the bottom has brown spots and blisters
  25. about 3 minutes. Flip
  26. cook 2 more minutes
  27. and flip back onto original side to cook for about 30 more seconds. Pita bread will begin to puff up and fill with hot air. Stack cooked breads on a plate; when cool enough to handle
  28. slice breads in half and open the pocket inside for stuffing.

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 3 hrs 15 mins

Servings: 8

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