Bake at home · Flatbread
Pita Bread on the Tawa
Soft round pita cooked in a skillet or tawa, with a simple dough and no special oven equipment.
Prep25 minutes
Cook16 minutes
Total1 hour 51 minutes
Yield8 pita breads
Ingredients
Volume measures are approximate; weighing flour gives the most consistent result.
- 400 g all-purpose flour (about 3 1/4 cups, spooned and levelled)
- 7 g instant yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 8 g sugar (about 2 teaspoons)
- 7 g fine salt (about 1 1/4 teaspoons)
- 250 ml lukewarm water (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon)
- 15 ml olive or neutral oil (1 tablespoon)
Ingredients for Pita Bread on the Tawa
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Method
- Stir flour, yeast, sugar and salt together in a bowl.
- Add water and oil; mix into a soft dough. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and rise for about 60 minutes, until puffy.
- Divide into 8 balls, cover and rest for 10 minutes. Roll each into a round about 3–4 mm thick.
- Heat a dry tawa or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook one round until bubbles form and the underside has light brown spots, about 45–60 seconds.
- Flip and cook for another 45–60 seconds. Flip once more briefly if needed to encourage puffing; do not press down on the bread.
- Stack cooked pita under a clean cloth to keep it soft while cooking the rest.
Helpful tips
- Roll to an even thickness so the bread cooks consistently and has a better chance of puffing.
- Keep uncooked rounds covered so they do not dry out while waiting for the pan.
Common mistakes
- Too low a pan temperature can dry the pita before it puffs. Heat the tawa well, but lower the flame if it scorches.
- Uneven rolling can leave thick centres and thin edges that cook at different speeds.
Frequently asked questions
Can pita puff on a tawa?
It can. Use an evenly rolled round and a properly heated pan. Not every pita will form a full pocket, but it will still be useful as flatbread.
Why did my pita not puff?
Common reasons include uneven thickness, a cool pan, or dry dough. Keep the dough soft and roll each piece evenly.
How do I keep tawa pita soft?
Stack cooked pita under a clean cloth while warm and store cooled breads in a sealed bag.