Nothing beats the taste of warm, puffy, freshly baked Lebanese pita bread. This flavorful recipe is so easy, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for store-bought pita.
Lebanese Pita Bread Recipe
Prep time:
Ingredients
1 ¼ cup warm water (100-110°F) 285 milliliters
1 Tablespoon instant dry yeast 10 grams
½ teaspoon white granulated sugar 2 grams, optional
1 cup whole wheat flour 150 grams
1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour 250 grams, plus more for dusting
2 Tablespoons olive oil 23 milliliters, plus more for greasing
1 teaspoon salt 7 grams
Instructions
1. Mix the dough: Pour the lukewarm water, yeast and sugar (optional) into the mixing bowl of a stand mixer. Stir. Add the whole wheat, all-purpose flour, salt and olive oil to the activated yeast mixture. Using a dough hook attachment, mix on low speed for about 3 minutes. Raise the speed to medium and mix – about 3-5 minutes. The dough is done when it is smooth and elastic.
2. First proof: Using a dough scraper or your hands, scrape away the dough from the sides of the mixing bowl to form a smooth ball (seam side down). Drizzle a little olive oil on top and cover the entire surface of the dough ball including the bottom with oil. Cover the bowl with a damp towel or silicone cover and place it in a warm spot. Let the dough rise until it doubles in size – about 1- 1 ½ hours.
3. Preheat the oven: Place a pizza stone/pizza steel/invested cast iron skillet/griddle on the middle rack. Preheat the oven to 500°F. Once the oven reaches 500°F continue to heat for 30 minutes.
4. Make the pita dough balls: Divide the dough into 8 even pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. Tuck in any seams underneath the ball. Place on a baking tray with enough space for the dough to double. Brush all exposed sides with a little olive oil. Cover with a wet towel, and rest for 15 minutes.
5. Roll out the dough balls: Cut some parchment into 8 7 inch x 7 inch squares. Place a dough ball onto the parchment square. Using a flour-dusted rolling pin, toll each dough ball into a 7 inch diameter circle. Each dough circle should be about a ¼ inch thick and will just fit the parchment square. Cover the dough circle with a wet towel. Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
6. Bake the pita bread:
Oven: Place 2 dough circles on the pizza stone towards the back of the oven. Bake until puffed – about 2 minutes. There is no need to flip the pita. Close the oven door and wait for 1-2 minutes for the oven to heat up again. Repeat with the remaining dough. Note: The pita will not puff up if the oven temperature drops.
Stovetop: Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly brush with olive oil. Add a rolled-out pita. Once bubbles begin to form, (about 30-40 seconds) flip the pita. The pita should fully puff up in about a minute. Flip once more and cook for even browning – about 2 minutes. Cool the pita on a wire rack and cover with a towel.
For detailed instructions see
Special thanks,
@tareqhabibphotography
@serenaekramkhan
www.bensound.com
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