8 Fun Ways to Eat Pita Bread (2024)

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Anita Schecter

8 Fun Ways to Eat Pita Bread (1)

Professional recipe developer, food photographer, and blogger with more than a decade of experience creating Middle Eastern recipes.

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Updated on 06/19/19

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8 Fun Ways to Eat Pita Bread (2)

Pita is the quintessential bread of Middle Eastern cuisine. It's a soft, lightly leavened bread that's similar to naan and flatbread. Pita, however, is baked at a higher temperature which causes the dough round to puff up and leave the well-known pocket. So, while naan and flatbreads are great for rolling, topping or dipping, only pita can be stuffed. We probably think of pita most often as a vehicle for falafel. The crispy balls are stuffed inside the pita pocket along with salad and then drizzled with tahini sauce. But pita is a delicious and versatile bread that can be used in lots of ways. Here then are some ideas for fun new ways to add creativity to your pita bread usage.

Toasted Pita Triangles

Toast pita bread in the oven or under a broiler. Cut into triangles with a knife or a pizza cutter, and serve with dips like hummus or baba ghannouj.

Use Pita as a Spoon

Pieces of pita can be used as a spoon for bean dishes like ful medammes, or for finely chopped salads like tabouleh. This is a fun way for kids to eat!

Pizza Pitas

Throw some sauce, cheese and your favorite pizza toppings on pita bread and bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted. This is similar to the English muffin pizzas.

Toasted Pita Bread

Toasted in the toaster or oven, pita bread can make a more filling alternative to regular toast. Spread jam, butter, hummus, or your favorite spread for a light breakfast or snack.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Pita

These are great for kids who don't like crusts. Spread the peanut butter and jelly inside the pocket. You can also microwave the sandwiches for 15-30 seconds for a warm sandwich.

Turn Your Salad Into a Sandwich

Pita bread has a pocket for a reason - to hold food! Fill a pita pocket with your favorite salad and veggies. You can also include strips of meat like steak, chicken or lamb. Tahini makes a great sauce for a pita pocket sandwich.

Pita Bread Hot Dogs

Instead of using traditional hot dog buns at your next cookout, wrap the hot dogs in small pita bread. Pita can also be wrapped around kofta, delicious food with ground beef and herbs.

Use Pita Instead of White Bread

Grilled cheese, sloppy joes, or submarine sandwiches are all tasty on pita bread. Wrap them or fill them, they make a very nice alternative to white bread.

8 Fun Ways to Eat Pita Bread (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat pita bread? ›

You can cut it into triangles, drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle them with sumac or za'atar and toast them in the oven, to dip in babaganoush or hummus or tzatziki. You can use it to make a wrap. You can even eat it just by itself, warm from the oven.

How is pita bread traditionally eaten? ›

In Mediterranean cuisine pitas are often stuffed with meat and vegetables or falafels and eaten like a sandwich. The pita is also used as a tool to scoop up and eat all types of classic Middle Eastern food, such as hummus and baba ghanouj.

Can you eat pita bread without toasting? ›

Delicious when served cold or toasted, the Soft Pittas can be enjoyed with a whole host of tasty flavour combinations. Versatile in nature, the Soft Pittas are tailored to suit any mealtime occasion, at home or on the go, ready for the mid-week madness or a mouth-watering lunch during a sunny weekend.

Is pita healthier then bread? ›

Pita bread is a light, delicate bread that is less dense, low-calorie, and has fewer carbohydrates than many other types of bread. When made with whole-grain wheat flour, it also contains more fiber and antioxidants than regular bread (especially white bread).

Should you heat pita bread before eating? ›

Granted, you might be wondering if you can get away with serving only room temperature or even cold pita bread with this delectable dish. While you're more than welcome to do so, it does compromise the quality of the gyro plate since a nice heated piece of bread is by far better than cold.

How do you fill pita bread? ›

Instead of cutting the bread directly in half, trim a 1 ½" opening from the top. Flip that trimmed piece over and tuck it into the bottom of the pocket before filling it with whatever you happened to be craving. You're basically giving your pita a kevlar vest.

What does "pita" mean in slang? ›

abbreviation for pain in the ass: used, for example on social media and in text messages, to refer to someone or something that is annoying: Deeply held beliefs are no excuse for being a PITA.

How to make pita puff up? ›

Working in batches, place the rolled-out pitas directly on the hot baking baking sheet (I was only able to fit 2 at a time). Bake for 2 minutes on one side, and then, using a pair of tongs, carefully turn pita over to bake for 1 minute on the other side. The pita will puff nicely and should be ready.

Should pita bread have a pocket? ›

The pita, of course! Traditional pita bread is a round bread with a pocket in the middle. Pita bread must be cooked in ovens that can get extremely hot (at least 700° F). The pocket in a pita is made by steam, which puffs up the dough during the baking process.

Do you cut pittas before or after toasting? ›

Grilling each side in a frying pan for a few seconds - this warms the pita up and also makes the outsides crispy while the inside stays soft and warm, allowing you to cut it easily since the outside is essentially "encapsulating" the rest of the pita, preventing it from breaking.

What are the disadvantages of pita bread? ›

The distinct downside of pita bread is the enormous content of sodium. The same serving size of 60 grams subjects your body to 322 milligrams of salt. Depending on what bread you eat, either white or whole wheat, you will get different nutritional values.

How to tell if pita bread is bad? ›

First, check for visual changes. If you see any spots of mold - they could be white, green or black - then it's time to say goodbye to your pita. Also watch out for changes in smell, if your pita bread has a sour or off smell, that's another sign that it's time to throw it out.

Can diabetics eat pita bread? ›

Here are some delicious and healthy breads to try: Joseph's Flax, Oat Bran, and Whole Wheat Pita Bread: You can't have an authentic Mediterranean-style meal without pita pockets.

Can you eat pita bread straight from the packet? ›

Straight from the packet, it's pretty miserable. It's chewy - not in a good way. It tastes of cardboard.

Do you eat pita bread plain? ›

This pita bread is so soft, fluffy, and flavorful that we honestly love to eat it plain! However, it's also fantastic with all sorts of fillings, spreads, and dips. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Fill it with crispy baked falafel, pickled red onions, tahini sauce, and fresh herbs.

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