This simple recipe creates soft, fluffy whole wheat pita bread perfect for sandwiches or dipping. Made with just a few ingredients—whole wheat flour, yeast, water, salt, and olive oil—it’s a healthy, homemade alternative to store-bought pita.
Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and oil. Stir until the mixture forms a dough.
Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Shape the Pitas: Punch down the dough and divide it into 20 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and then flatten it into a 1/4-inch thick circle using a rolling pin.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat up.
Bake the Pitas: Place the rolled-out dough onto a baking sheet or directly on the preheated pizza stone. Bake for 5 minutes, or until the pita breads puff up and are lightly browned.
Cool: Remove the pita breads from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.