Best Way To Heat Pita Bread

Are you looking for the best way to heat pita bread? We use it often in our meals and for appetizers, let me share my favorite ways to heat pita to the perfect temperature for serving.

Maybe a dip to go with that pita bread? How about beetroot hummus? Chicken salad is also a tasty salad to enjoy with pita. But probably my very favorite way to serve pita is with chicken shawarma.

Pita is a famous Middle Eastern Bread that finds its way to our table often.

Let me share this step-by-step guide with easy ways of reheating. You choose your favorite!

Why heat your pita bread?

Sure, you can eat your pita bread cooled, but I promise it is so much better warm. Even if you have made the pitas on your own, like this pita recipe, if you have leftover pitas, you will still want to reheat them.

Trust me when I say that warm pitas are so much better than cold or even room-temperature pitas.

Whether the food you're serving the pita is hot or cold, it will still be better with a warmed pita.

There are many different ways to heat your pita and I will share them with you. You can choose which option will be best for you.

Oven method for heating pita

Start by brushing your pita with olive oil and sprinkle it with a touch of salt. Be sure not to use too much olive oil, just a quick brush. You can either bake them whole or cut them into triangles. It is up to you. I prefer heating them whole and cutting them just before eating.

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the pita on a baking sheet (use parchment paper for easy cleanup). It will take about 8-10 minutes to heat. Just check them occasionally.

If you want to make pita chips, cut them into rectangles, brush them with olive oil, increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees, and bake until they are crispy. A very hot oven will crisp them quickly.

Carefully remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Another method is to heat baking steel or pizza stone in the oven. Add the pitas on top of this to heat. This method will heat the pitas quickly, so keep an eye on them.

You can also place the pita directly on the oven rack for heating as well. I do this when I don't want to dirty a pan, just be sure if you brush with olive oil, brush it VERY LIGHTLY.

Microwave method for heating pita bread

This is the quickest reheating method there is. You can have a hot pita in under a minute.

Start again by brushing with a touch of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt.

Place the pita on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel or a slightly damp towel. Be sure it is only just lightly damp, otherwise, your bread will get soggy.

Microwave on high for 15-second intervals until it is as hot as you like it. The amount of time will depend on your microwave.

This method will produce a soft texture in your reheated pita.

You can serve the warm pita right away.

Electric griddle or skillet method for heating pita bread

This is my favorite method and one I use most often. It might take a few extra minutes compared to the microwave method, but I still prefer it.

Start with a quick brush with olive oil and a sprinkle of salt. Heat the electric griddle or pan over medium-high heat, then add the pita to it. I can fit 2-3 pitas in a single layer on my electric and if you are using a large skillet, you can fit 2 on there as well.

Heat for about 2 minutes per side, flip, and heat the other side.

If you are cooking many pita, store the heated ones on a plate wrapped in dish towels or several paper towels to keep them warm while you reheat the rest. They can also be held in a plastic bag, but I find the pitas get sweaty.

Toaster or toaster oven method for heating pita

This is probably the easiest way to heat your pita bread. This is an effective way to get a crispier pita quickly and with no stress or hands-on work.

You can pop your pita into a toaster or toaster oven for heating.

Just know this will make a crispier pita, so I reserve this method for when I am using the pita for dipping. This makes the pita easier to hold its shape and dip.

If you don't have the oversized toaster, simply cut the pita in half so it will fit.

Heating pita over an open flame

While heating pita on an electric griddle is my favorite method, heating over an open flame is a close second. Remember this only works with a gas stove.

With this method, DO NOT brush with olive oil. That will make such a mess and is really dangerous.

Turn on the flame of your gas cooktop. I keep it kind of low so it doesn't char the pitas too quickly.

Place the pita on the flame. With tongs, move it around gently until it is heated on one side, flip it over, and heat it on the other side. Keep an eye on it so the pita doesn't burn.

Remove it from the flame and serve the warm pita bread immediately.

Pita bread recipes

If you don't want to buy store-bought pita, but make it homemade instead, let me share a few awesome recipes.

Check out this recipe from My Greek Dish for an easy pita bread recipe. Yum!! It even has a great video tutorial, making it easy to follow along.

Are you looking for a whole-wheat pita bread recipe? This recipe from As Easy As Apple Pie for pita made with whole wheat flour looks like the perfect whole-grain pita recipe. These are puffy pita that will make delicious pita pocket sandwiches.

• Whole Grain Resources