Vegan Pitta Bread

Written by McDonald, T.  |  Date 2nd of May 2022

Pitta bread is so good and very easy to make.  You can make white or brown pitta bread then cut it open and stuff it with any filling that you like.   You can make it with any kind of flour, but I find it is best with strong bread flour because it gives a better texture.  This recipe is for the wholemeal bread, if you want the white, just replace the strong wholemeal with strong white bread flour.

Notes

• Hydration is at 60%
• Flour 250 x 0.60 = 150ml of water
• Different grades of flour will need different amounts of water.  For instance, even at 60%, very strong bread flour will seem a little dry.  Nonetheless, don't worry, just keep kneading it in the bowl until it becomes more sticky. 
  

Makes 4 large pitta breads

Time - 1hr and 15 minutes. 

Ingredients 

• 1 tsp fast-action dried yeast
• 100g strong wholemeal bread flour
• 150g of plain white flour 
• 150ml of warm water
  
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 of caster sugar
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Herbs (optional)
  

Method 

Step 1

1. Measure out the flour and add the sugar, salt and yeast then use a balloon whisk to mix together.  

2. Add the olive oil and water.  

3. With a wooden spoon, mix together until you get a shaggy dough then use your hands to make a soft dough.

Step 2

1. Tip the dough onto a work surface. Knead for 5 mins until you have a soft, smooth and elastic dough.  

2. Once kneaded, return to the bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave to double in size, approximately 1 hour.

Step 3

1. Preheat the oven to 230C and put a large baking tray on the middle shelf of the oven. 

2. Divide the dough into four balls then flatten each into a disc with the palm of your hand. 

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll each disc into an oval, around 20 cm long, 15 cm wide and 3-5 mm thick.

Roll the dough out.

Step 4

1. Remove the hot tray from the oven and dust with flour then place your pittas directly onto it.  You may have to do this in batches if you made more than 4.  Usually, I only have room for 3. 

2. Return to the oven and bake for 3 mins, or until the pittas have puffed up and are a pale golden colour.  Watch that the edges don't go too dark.

3. Wrap the hot pitta in a clean tea towel after removing from the oven to keep it soft while the others cook. 

Use flour to stop the bread from sticking to the try

Results

Fabulous soft pitta bread.

 

I hope that you liked this blog and if you do try this recipe, please let me know how you got on and what it turned out like. You can leave a comment in the comments below.