When Kel and I moved to the boonies, one of the items I didn’t even think about missing was whole wheat pita bread. But miss it I did. In D.C., there were two Whole Foods within walking distance of my office and several good bakeries nearby, so getting whole wheat pitas was never a problem. By contrast, the stores where I now shop offer bland, hard, refined pitas that have that unidentifiable commercial bread taste. I wasn’t having any of that, so I went in search of recipes.
Pita bread – though one of the easiest breads to make (I now know) – was a mystery to me. How on earth was I going to get that pocket in there? Turns out the magic happens in the oven. Without you even asking. It’s very cool to watch the flat rounds of dough puff up. The jumping off recipe for this came from Epicurious. I upped the whole wheat flour, omitted the olive oil and added flaxseeds (cuz they look great) and dried thyme for that nice warm, summery flavor they impart.
Whole Wheat Pita Bread
Makes 8
1 tsp. agave nectar
1 1/2 cups warm water (105–115°F)
2 cups bread flour or high-gluten flour, plus additional for kneading
1 cup whole-wheat flour
2 tbsp. flaxseeds, optional
1 tsp. dried thyme, optional
1 tsp. salt


Turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead, working in just enough additional flour to keep dough from sticking, until dough is smooth and elastic, 8 to 10 minutes. Form dough into a ball and put in an lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise in draft-free place at warm room temperature until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Set oven rack in lower third of oven and remove other racks. Preheat oven to 500°F.

I was thinking about whole wheat pitta bread just yesterday. Yours look absolutely fantastic, and must have been a great source of joy when they puffed up and came out looking so professional. What did you have them with?
We’ve already eaten this whole batch – let’s see, we stuffed them w/ tofu salad (recipe forthcoming), ate them with hummus and carrot dip, had them alongside some soup…guess it’s time to make another batch!
:O they’re so fluffy!
I know – they kinda went crazy!
The kids are going to love making these with me. Thank you…again.
Turn the oven light on and let them watch them rise in the oven. I’m 45 and I get a kick out of seeing the pitas puff up !
I’m with you- nothing beats freshly made pita bread. These looks awesome! And so easy! Thank you for this.
Thank you!
I have gotten quite lazy and haven’t made yeast bread in a long time. This looks like a great way to get back into bread making.
Where is the love button? WordPress needs one!
Thank you for this beautiful recipe, my friend.
Veggiewitch ♥
Thank you, luv! You are SO right! Where IS the love button?! hehe
These look so good! I’ve really been wanting to learn how to make pita bread. Between this and the recipe for naan that was posted on Bacon is Not an Herb a little while back, I’m feeling inspired to do some more bread baking!
Amazing job, those look wonderful
Woah you made pita bread? That is super cool
Thanks! They taste super cool, too!
I bake a lot but have never made this. Always get the shop bought dry ones, these look delicious!!
Thanks! Give them a try sometime – very easy and worth the time.
I’ve thought about attempting to make pita’s recently. This makes me really want to try. Thanks for the recipe. I’ll have to leave out the flax because my husband can’t have seeds.
These look beautiful! Yay for fresh pita’s!
Totally don’t need the flaxseeds. I hope you try them! It’s tough to go back to store bought after eating them.
These look incredible! Store bought never sounded so unappealing…I am truly impressed by these…amazing!
Thanks, my friend!
Wow! What an inspiring recipe and post! I adore pita more than anything, especially dunked in some delicious homemade hummus! My favorite way to have homemade pita is via the grill!
Oooh – that sounds yummy! I have a tiny little hibachi (sp??) grill, but I bet it would do the job. Sounds like such a good, summery thing to do.
Oh wow these look amazing! Can’t wait to try – thank you
Thanks!
Homemade beats store bought hands down, plus where you live seems like paradise. Those nature photos you took were breathtaking.
Thank you! Most days we feel very lucky to live where we do.
So good I reblogged it: http://meizac.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/homemade-pita-bread-success/
You are a doll!!
Made it today, and it was a hit! I love your recipes girlfriend! I replaced the flax seed and thyme with a touch of dried basil and oregano (because I didn’t have any thyme or flax seed). I made a bruschetta topping to go on it.
You made ‘em?! Awesome!! Bruschetta topping sounds perrrrrfect!
Yeah, super easy and super yummy. I’m making more today (my family already ate everything I made yesterday). I bought flaxseed and thyme last night, so I’m going to try that this time.
Made my day! Thanks, girl!
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