Gluten-Free Pita Bread Recipe
Have you ever tried pita bread or Arabic bread? Today’s bread recipe is very easy and doesn’t even require an oven.
It’s a flatbread with no crumb, very light, and perfect to enjoy with hummus, msajan, or mutabal, or to fill with your favorite ingredients like beef kebab or the original chicken kebab.
Pita bread is a type of soft bread originating from the Near East that is often baked on the walls of ovens. It can be made with a crumb or hollow, making it easy to fill with whatever ingredients you like.
It’s a perfect accompaniment to all kinds of meals and dinners. It can be served as part of breakfast along with jam and butter, and is also widely used with Lebanese creams, to serve kebabs or falafel.
While pita bread recipes usually call for an oven, today we’re going to see how to cook it directly in a pan for a faster process, while preserving all the flavor and nutrients. No one will notice the difference!
Table of Contents
Pita Bread (Arabic Bread)
Pita bread (Arabic bread) belongs to the flatbread family, just like naan. When baked, these breads puff up, creating a pocket inside. You can:
- Fill them with your favorite ingredients
- Open and toast them
- Make pita chips
- Use them as a spoon for foods like hummus
The inner pocket forms because the bread is cooked at a very high temperature. This heat shock creates steam in the dough, causing it to puff up.
How to Cook It:
To cook pita bread (Arabic bread):
- Preheat the oven to 250°C / 480°F or the highest temperature possible.
- Preheat a pizza stone, cast iron skillet, or griddle inside the oven.
- Place the rolled-out dough on the hot surface.
- Bake for 2 minutes until it puffs up like a balloon.
- Remove immediately while it’s pale and soft.
Do not leave it too long, or it will turn into a crispy balloon.
The Dough:
The dough for pita bread (Arabic bread) is very easy to make:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Knead by hand or with a mixer using a dough hook.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place.
During this process, the yeast feeds on the flour and produces carbon dioxide, which makes the bread rise.
After the first rise:
- Divide the dough into small portions.
- Shape them into balls.
- Let them rise a second time.
- Stretch the dough to about 2mm thickness before cooking.
Keeping the dough covered and warm is important. A damp kitchen towel, plastic wrap, or a bowl with a lid works well.
Letting the dough rise in the oven with the light on but turned off provides enough warmth.
The Best Pita Bread (Arabic Bread)
This bread may be small, but it’s small but mighty. Dipped in a little olive oil and salt, it becomes almost addictive—light as a thin cloud.
When I tested this recipe, I toasted the bread slightly, cut it into triangles, and served it with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt. It was a TOTAL SUCCESS.
Everyone kept eating, and I had to make more. All the effort put into the main course was forgotten—all they wanted was more bread!
How to Make Pita Bread (Arabic Bread)?
Recipe Details
- Dish: Breakfast, Tea Time, Bread, Snack
- Keywords: side dish, Arabic bread, pita bread, pitta bread
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Servings: 16 loaves (15 cm diameter)
- Author: Lorena Salinas of Cravings Journal
Ingredients Table
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 370 g |
| Salt | 7 g |
| Instant dry yeast | 9 g |
| White sugar | ½ tsp |
| Olive oil | 15 g |
| Warm water | 250 ml |
Step-by-Step – Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and knead for 20 minutes by hand or 10 minutes with a stand mixer at medium speed. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky.
- Let the dough rise for 1 hour, covered, in a warm place.
- Weigh the dough and divide it into 16 equal portions.
- Shape each portion into buns by folding the edges inward and sealing them.
- Place on a tray, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Roll each ball to about 2mm thickness.
- Preheat the oven to 250°C / 480°F with a pizza stone, skillet, or baking sheet inside.
- Bake the loaves for 2 minutes until puffed.
- Remove and repeat with the remaining dough.
Video Guide 📽️😃
You can freeze the bread for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Tips for a Delicious Pita Bread
- Bake on a hot baking stone for best puffing results.
- Bake for 4 minutes if using a slightly lower temperature.
- Place cooked loaves between two kitchen towels to prevent drying.
Nutritional Facts (Approximate, per 1 pita bread)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 165 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Fat | 3 g |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 220 mg |
FAQs
Can I make pita bread without an oven?
Yes, pita bread can be cooked directly in a pan while still achieving great flavor and texture.
Why didn’t my pita bread puff up?
This usually happens if the surface wasn’t hot enough or the dough wasn’t rolled thin enough.
Can pita bread be stored?
Yes, you can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight bag or container.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, whole wheat flour can be substituted, but it will slightly change the texture and flavor.
Conclusion
Pita bread (Arabic bread) is a simple, light, and versatile flatbread that fits perfectly into any meal.
Whether dipped in olive oil, filled with kebabs, or served alongside hummus, it delivers flavor without heaviness.
With minimal ingredients and a quick cooking time, this recipe proves that great bread doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you try it, it’s hard to stop making—and eating—it.
