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Pita

Pita!

Based on the recipe by MiddleEats. A simple yeasted pita that uses the broiler and a screaming-hot cast-iron pan to create the characteristic pocket puff.

ItemAmount
flour240g
wheat flour60g
sugar13g
sea salt8g (1 tsp)
yeast7g
ItemAmount
milk85g / ml
water85g / ml
oil20g / ml
optionalyogurt, vinegar
Items
fork
dough scraper
large bowl for mixing
cast iron pan or griddle
scale or measuring spoons/cups
stove
  1. Mix all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl.

  2. Mix water and milk and warm to 100°F (38°C).

  3. Add oil to the warm milk and pour into the dry ingredients.

  4. Mix with a fork to loosely incorporate the two. This is the autolyze phase — just mix until no dry flour remains and let sit covered for about 15 minutes.

  5. After 15 minutes, the flour should be hydrated enough that folding is slightly easier. Use a bench scraper to clear out any dry clumps from the bowl and fold them into the dough. Using a fold-and-press method, agitate the dough for a few minutes until it becomes a little smooth. Let the dough sit covered for 30–60 minutes.

  6. Place a cast-iron pan or pizza stone in the oven, then turn the oven on and set the temperature to 500°F (260°C). The pan needs to be extremely hot before baking.

  7. Split the dough into 6 portions, aiming for roughly 80g balls — slightly under or over is fine. Roll them into smooth balls and set aside.

  8. Lightly flour a rolling pin and work surface and roll each ball into a circle. You can roll the remaining portions while the oven continues to heat.

  9. Once the oven reaches temperature, turn it off and switch on the broiler. The broiler heat combined with the residual oven heat will evenly cook the pita.

  10. Carefully and quickly place a dough round onto the hot pan and close the oven. The extremely hot environment should already begin puffing up the pita. Cooking should take no more than a few minutes.

  11. Carefully remove the pita from the oven using a spatula and let rest for 1–2 minutes before cutting in. If the pita puffed up, be aware there will be steam trapped inside — open with care and enjoy.