Traditional Greek Pitta Bread

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier while vegetable oil is more affordable.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories, while water is a cost-effective alternative.

yeast

🥗Healthier: sourdough starter

💰Cheaper: baking powder

Sourdough starter adds flavor, while baking powder is a quick substitute.

Place yeast into a bowl and add 1 cup very warm water and 1 tbs sugar. Whisk together and let stand for 15-20 minutes for the mixture to rise and make a loose sponge.

Pour 1 1/2 tbs virgin olive oil and salt into the sponge. Add 1 3/4 cup flour. Mix by hand until the dough is soft, supple, and slightly sticky. If the dough sticks to the sides of the bowl, add up to 1/4 cup more flour, a little at a time.

Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and form it into a ball.

Wipe the inside of the bowl with 1/4 tsp olive oil. Turn the dough around in the bowl to cover with a thin film of oil. Cover the bowl with foil and let sit until the dough has doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Remove the dough from the bowl and place it onto a floured work surface. Lightly pat into a flat shape about 1 inch thick. Use a knife to cut the dough into 8 pieces.

Form each piece into a small round ball with a smooth top, pulling dough from the sides and tucking the ends underneath the bottom.

Cover the dough balls with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes.

Sprinkle a small amount of flour on a work surface and on top of a dough ball. Gently pat the dough ball flat with your fingers, forming a flat, round bread about 1/4 inch thick. Let the dough round rest for 5-8 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough balls.

Brush a cast-iron skillet with the remaining 3/4 tsp olive oil and place over medium-high heat. Lay pita bread into the hot skillet and cook until the bread begins to puff up and the bottom has brown spots and blisters, about 2-3 minutes. Flip, cook for 2 more minutes, and flip back onto the original side to cook for about 30 more seconds.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens