Easy Garlic Pita Bread from Scratch

This Garlic Pita Bread is easy to make from scratch, requires only a few ingredients, and guarantees fresh, soft, puffy pita.

The simple yeast dough comes together in one hour and bubbles up perfectly while cooking to golden-brown. Then a melted butter, garlic, and parsley mixture is spread generously over each pita making them irresistible.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO I NEED TO MAKE GARLIC PITA BREAD?

• All-purpose flour – can be substituted for an equal amount of all-purpose gluten-free flour (check out this article about the best gluten-free flour options for baking)
• Salt – I use iodized salt.
• Active dry yeast – ensure your yeast is not expired.
• Milk – can be substituted for water to make DF or Vegan.
• Warm water – activates the yeast.
• Olive oil – helps bind the dough.
• Butter – used for topping, can be subbed for olive oil or vegan butter.
• Garlic – minced garlic is mixed in with the melted butter.
• Fresh parsley – can be substituted for 2 tsp dried herbs.

HOW TO MAKE GARLIC PITA BREAD

Step 1 – Mix the dry ingredients

Combine flour, salt, and yeast in a large mixing bowl and whisk together well.

Step 2 – Add wet ingredients

Add warm milk and warm water to bowl with dry ingredients, stirring until you create a shaggy-mass. The dough should be sticky and not quite formed together.

Step 3 – Form the dough

Add olive oil and knead the dough together using your hands, ensuring all stray bits come together.

Step 4 – Rest dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and then lay a kitchen towel over. Let the dough rest and rise for 1 hour.

Step 5 – Roll out dough

Dust a clean work surface with flour and place dough down. Using your hands, work it out into a flat circle.

Cut dough into 6 equal pieces. Working with 1 piece at a time, roll each piece into a ball.

Using a floured rolling pin, roll out one ball into a circle that’s about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with remaining 5 dough balls.

Step 6 – Cook pita bread

There are two options for cooking the pita bread, stove top or baked in the oven.

STOVE TOP – Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and spread a small amount of olive oil.

Place pita down and cook until bubbles form, about 30 seconds. Flip over and cook for 1-2 minutes or until bubbles on bottom side are golden-brown. Flip over again and cook 1-2 minutes more until both sides are toasted evenly.

OVEN BAKE – Heat oven to 475 F and place a large sheet pan on the center rack.

Place rolled out pita directly on the baking sheet and cook for 2 minutes. Flip pita over and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Work in batches, typically 2 fit at a time.

TIP: Cover baked pitas with a clean kitchen towel while cooking the rest.

Step 8 – Make garlic butter mixture

Melt butter in microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds. Mince garlic and fresh parsley then add to the melted butter.

Spread mixture evenly over each cooked pita to create fragrant garlic pita bread and enjoy!

WHAT TO SERVE WITH?

Pita Bread is so versatile which is probably while you’ll find some on every Greek’s dinner table.

Since there are so many ways to enjoy pita, I rounded up a few of my favorites:

Dinner – Make a batch to go with my chicken souvlaki and create your own pita-gyro. Or use as a ‘pizza’ or ‘flatbread’ crust.  

Lunch – Make a wrap by using whatever protein you have on hand and add hummus or tzatziki.

Snack – Cut the pita into triangles and bake at 400 F until they become crisp pita-chips and pair with your favorite dip.

STORING AND FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS

Storing Garlic Pita Bread – store cooked pita in an airtight bag for up to 3 days. You can warm them up in the toaster, microwave, or over the stove top.

Freezing Garlic Pita Bread – let the pita cool completely before storing in an airtight ziplock. Place parchment paper in between each pita and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat the pita by placing in an oven at 350 F, thawing is not necessary.

RECIPE FAQ’S

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Pair this pita bread with my Greek Meatballs recipe for a complete dinner!
• Learn how to make my YiaYia’s Traditional Moussaka recipe!
• Make my Mini Baked Potatoes appetizer for your next party!

RECIPE VIDEO

Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!