How to Make Chewy, Tender Pita Bread (with Pockets Every Single Time)

flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: all-purpose flour

Whole wheat flour is more nutritious, while all-purpose flour is often less expensive.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is healthier, while vegetable oil is usually cheaper.

Weigh 14 and 2/3 ounces of king arthur bread flour and add it to a mixing bowl.

Add 2 and 1/4 teaspoons of instant yeast to the flour.

Prepare ice water by filling a container with ice and topping it off with water, then strain to get 10 and 1/2 ounces of ice water.

Add the ice water to the dry ingredients in the bowl.

Add 4 teaspoons of honey and 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil to the mixture.

Turn the mixer on low speed for about 1 to 2 minutes until all the flour absorbs the water.

Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to allow the flour to absorb the water and kick-start gluten development.

After 10 minutes, add 1 and 1/4 teaspoons of table salt to the mixture.

Turn the mixer to medium speed and mix for about 6 to 8 minutes until a dough ball forms and clears the sides of the bowl.

Spray the counter with oil and knead the dough for about 1 minute, shaping it into a ball.

Divide the dough into 8 pieces, weighing each to be about 3 and 3/8 ounces.

Lightly oil a bowl and place the dough balls inside, seam side down, and cover with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate the dough for about 16 to 24 hours to allow for slow fermentation.

After 24 hours, flour your workspace and take out the dough balls.

Coat each dough ball generously with flour, keeping the smooth side up.

Press each dough ball into a 5-inch round disc, then roll it into a 7-inch round, ensuring it doesn't stick to the counter.

Brush off any excess flour from both sides of the rolled dough.

Transfer the rolled dough onto a peel, keeping track of which side was up first.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and place a pizza stone in the lowest position.

Bake the pitas for about 1 to 3 minutes, watching for them to puff up like a balloon.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens