Homemade Pita Bread

This is a great recipe for homemade pitas and is way easier than you might think!  I found the recipe from AllRecipes.

I used these to make Steak Gyros!  Enjoy!

I think it would also be great to add a little fresh or dried herbs to the dough mixture to customize these to the recipe you plan to use them for.  Or just add some garlic powder and Italian seasoning to enhance your daily packed lunch sandwich!

I like to double the recipe so that I have extras and these freeze great!  {I did double the recipe in the pictures.}

Ingredients:

-1 1/8 cups warm water

-1 tbsp vegetable or canola oil

-1 1/2 tsp sugar

-1 tsp salt

-3 cups flour {you could use 1 cup wheat flour and 2 cups white}

-1 1/2 tsp yeast

* You could also add any herbs you like!

Process:

1. Place all ingredients in bread machine pan in the order listed.  Set bread maker to the dough setting and allow the cycle to run through.

2. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, gently knead into a uniform ball.

3. Using a sharp knife or scraper to cut dough into pieces.  {I did a double batch and therefore 12 pieces}
4. Roll each piece into a smooth ball and roll out into a 6-7 inch circle.
5. Set rolled circles on a lightly floured counter top  cover with a clean kitchen towel.

6. Let pitas rise for about 30 minutes until slightly puffy {mine didn't puff too much}.
7. Preheat oven to 500 degrees, place a wire rack directly on the oven rack {I used my large cooling rack}.
8. Place 2-3 pitas on the wire rack and bake for 4-5 minutes until puffed and tops begin to brown.
9. Remove from oven and immediately place pitas in a sealed brown paper bag {or cover them with a damp kitchen towel, I think the paper bag is easier and more dependable}.

10. Repeat with remaining pitas.

11. Cooled pitas can be stored in a sealed plastic bag or container for several days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.

12. To use either cut pita in half or split the top edge to fill with  sandwich filling.

This time I used these for Steak Gyros.