Discover how to make delicious and authentic Pita pastry at home. This versatile dish can be filled with your choice of cheese, pumpkin, or potatoes, making it perfect for any occasion. Learn step-by-step instructions, from preparing the dough to baking golden-brown Pita that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Ideal for breakfast, lunch, or a savory snack!

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

- 3 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 cup warm water

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1 tsp salt

- 1 tsp sugar

- 1 packet (7g) active dry yeast

For the Cheese Filling:

- 2 cups feta or ricotta cheese, crumbled

- 1/2 cup grated mozzarella (optional)

- 1 egg

- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

- Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pumpkin Filling:

- 2 cups pumpkin, peeled, boiled, and mashed

- 1 small onion, finely chopped

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

- Salt and pepper to taste

For the Potato Filling:

- 2 cups potatoes, peeled, boiled, and mashed

- 1 small onion, finely chopped

- 1 tbsp butter

- 1/4 cup milk

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough:

  - In a large bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

  - Add flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.

  - Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the Filling:

  - For cheese filling, mix all the ingredients in a bowl and season to taste.

  - For pumpkin filling, sauté the chopped onion in olive oil until soft. Mix in the mashed pumpkin, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

  - For potato filling, sauté the onion in butter until golden. Add mashed potatoes and milk, stirring until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble the Pita:

  - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

  - Divide the dough into equal portions. Roll each portion into a thin circle.

  - Place a spoonful of your desired filling in the center of the dough circle. Fold the edges over to seal, creating a semi-circular shape.

  - Place the filled Pita on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake:

  - Brush the tops of the Pita with olive oil or melted butter.

  - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Serve:

  - Enjoy your homemade Pita warm with a side of yogurt or salad!

Nutritional Values

All-Purpose Flour (3 cups)

 - Calories: Approximately 1,380

 - Carbohydrates: 288 g

 - Protein: 15 g

 - Fat: 3 g

 - Fiber: 8 g

Benefits:

 - Provides energy through carbohydrates.

 - Contains small amounts of protein and some B vitamins.

 - Acts as the base for the dough.

Warm Water (1 cup)

 - Calories: 0

 - Carbohydrates: 0 g

 - Protein: 0 g

 - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Essential for hydrating and activating the yeast.

 - Helps to mix and bind the dough ingredients.

Olive Oil (1 tbsp)

 - Calories: Approximately 120

 - Fat: 14 g (primarily monounsaturated)

 - Carbohydrates: 0 g

 - Protein: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Provides healthy fats that support heart health.

 - Adds flavor and tenderness to the dough.

Salt (1 tsp)

 - Calories: 0

 - Sodium: Approximately 2,300 mg per teaspoon

Benefits:

 - Enhances the flavor of the dough.

 - Helps to control yeast fermentation.

Sugar (1 tsp)

 - Calories: Approximately 16

 - Carbohydrates: 4 g

 - Protein: 0 g

 - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Feeds the yeast, helping it to rise.

 - Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough.

Active Dry Yeast (7g packet)

 - Calories: Approximately 21

 - Carbohydrates: 1 g

 - Protein: 3 g

 - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Helps the dough to rise by producing carbon dioxide.

 - Contributes to the dough's texture and volume.

Feta or Ricotta Cheese (2 cups, crumbled)

Feta Cheese: 

  - Calories: Approximately 300

  - Fat: 24 g

  - Protein: 12 g

  - Carbohydrates: 4 g

Ricotta Cheese:

  - Calories: Approximately 300

  - Fat: 24 g

  - Protein: 15 g

  - Carbohydrates: 6 g

Benefits:

 - Provides protein and calcium.

 - Adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor (feta) or mild flavor (ricotta).

Grated Mozzarella (1/2 cup, optional)

 - Calories: Approximately 170

 - Fat: 13 g

 - Protein: 12 g

 - Carbohydrates: 1 g

Benefits:

 - Adds a melty, gooey texture when baked.

 - Provides additional protein and calcium.

Egg (1)

 - Calories: Approximately 70

 - Fat: 5 g

 - Protein: 6 g

 - Carbohydrates: 1 g

Benefits:

 - Provides protein and essential nutrients like vitamin B12 and choline.

 - Helps bind the filling ingredients together.

Fresh Parsley (1/4 cup, chopped)

 - Calories: Approximately 6

 - Carbohydrates: 1 g

 - Protein: 0.6 g

 - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Rich in vitamins A, C, and K.

 - Adds a fresh, herbal flavor and enhances the dish's appearance.

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Salt:

  - Calories: 0

  - Sodium: Approximately 2,300 mg per teaspoon

Pepper:

  - Calories: Approximately 6 per teaspoon

  - Carbohydrates: 1 g

Benefits:

 - Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.

 - Pepper: Adds a bit of heat and complexity to the flavor.

Pumpkin (2 cups, peeled, boiled, and mashed)

 - Calories: Approximately 80

 - Carbohydrates: 20 g

 - Protein: 2 g

 - Fat: 0.5 g

 - Fiber: 6 g

Benefits:

 - High in vitamins A and C.

 - Rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber.

 - Adds a natural sweetness and creamy texture.

Small Onion (1, finely chopped)

 - Calories: Approximately 45

 - Carbohydrates: 11 g

 - Protein: 1 g

 - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Contains antioxidants that support immune health.

 - Adds flavor and aroma.

Olive Oil (1 tbsp)

 - Calories: Approximately 120

 - Fat: 14 g (primarily monounsaturated)

 - Carbohydrates: 0 g

 - Protein: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Provides healthy fats and enhances the flavor of the filling.

Ground Nutmeg (1/2 tsp)

 - Calories: Approximately 6

 - Carbohydrates: 1 g

 - Protein: 0.2 g

 - Fat: 0.3 g

Benefits:

 - Adds a warm, spicy flavor.

 - Contains antioxidants and may support digestive health.

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Salt: 

  - Calories: 0

  - Sodium: Approximately 2,300 mg per teaspoon

Pepper: 

  - Calories: Approximately 6 per teaspoon

  - Carbohydrates: 1 g

Benefits:

 - Salt: Enhances flavor.

 - Pepper: Adds a hint of spice and depth to the filling.

Potatoes (2 cups, peeled, boiled, and mashed)

 - Calories: Approximately 260

 - Carbohydrates: 60 g

 - Protein: 6 g

 - Fat: 0.5 g

 - Fiber: 4 g

Benefits:

 - Good source of vitamins C and B6, and potassium.

 - Provides a starchy, creamy base for the filling.

Small Onion (1, finely chopped)

 - Calories: Approximately 45

 - Carbohydrates: 11 g

 - Protein: 1 g

 - Fat: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Adds flavor and essential nutrients.

Butter (1 tbsp)

 - Calories: Approximately 100

 - Fat: 11 g

 - Protein: 0 g

 - Carbohydrates: 0 g

Benefits:

 - Adds richness and flavor to the potato filling.

Milk (1/4 cup)

 - Calories: Approximately 30

 - Fat: 1.5 g

 - Protein: 2 g

 - Carbohydrates: 2.5 g

Benefits:

 - Adds creaminess and provides calcium and protein.

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Salt:

  - Calories: 0

  - Sodium: Approximately 2,300 mg per teaspoon

Pepper:

  - Calories: Approximately 6 per teaspoon

  - Carbohydrates: 1 g

Benefits:

 - Salt: Enhances flavor.

 - Pepper: Adds a mild spice and complexity to the filling.