Arabic Pita Bread Recipe: Oven or Pan – Step by Step

Okay, here is a simple step-by-step recipe for Arabic pita bread that you can make in the oven or in a pan. The secret of pita is that it produces steam and puffs up when exposed to high heat, creating a hollow pocket inside.

Pita Bread Recipe
Ingredients:

350 g flour (all-purpose flour)
200 ml lukewarm water
10 g fresh yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
Preparation (step by step)
Preparing the dough:

In a small bowl, mix together the lukewarm water, sugar and yeast. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
In a larger bowl, mix together the flour and salt.
Pour the yeast water and oil into the flour and knead until you have a smooth, elastic dough. You can do this by hand or with a food processor.
Proving:
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Serving and shaping:
Divide the risen dough into 6-8 equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a round disc, approx. 15 cm in diameter and half a centimeter thick.
Baking (in the oven):
Preheat the oven to the highest possible temperature (usually 230-250 °C). Place a baking sheet or baking stone in the oven to heat it up.
Place the discs on the hot baking sheet and bake for 2-3 minutes, until they puff up.
Flip the breads and cook the other side for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden brown.
To fry (in a frying pan):

Heat a non-stick frying pan over high heat. Do not use oil.
Place the dough disc in the hot frying pan. Cook for 1 minute until bubbles appear on the surface.
Flip and cook for 1-2 minutes. The pita will puff up. If this happens, flip it over again and cook for another 30 seconds.
Once cooled, the pita will return to its original flat shape.
Fresh pita is best eaten warm, with hummus, falafel or any creamy dip. Enjoy!

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