Easy Pita Bread Ideas + Over 40 Recipes for Pita Pockets

This page is full of pita bread ideas including how to store pita bread, how to keep it fresh, how to open pita pockets without tearing, tips for filling pita bread and much more.

You will also find links to some great recipes for delicious pita pocket sandwiches and wraps, pita pizzas and homemade pita chips.

Ideas for Storing Pita Bread

How to keep pita bread fresh?

The best way to keep homemade pita bread fresh, is to allow it to cool then cover tightly with plastic food wrap (or place into a plastic bag). The bread can be kept at room temperature overnight, then store it in the fridge for up to 4 days or it can be frozen.

Can you freeze homemade pita bread?

Yes, this homemade pita bread freezes very well. Once you’ve made the pitas, allow them to cool completely before freezing. I like to stack about 6 – 8 pitas together with a piece of baking paper in between, then wrap them tightly in plastic food wrap and freeze for up to four months.

When needed remove the frozen pita from the freezer. Remove the plastic wrap and lay the pita bread in a single layer on a wire cake rack to thaw.

Ideas For Heating Pita Bread

Should pita bread be heated?

The answer to this is yes and no. It really depends on what you want to make with it.

Pita bread can be eaten unheated like a sandwich bread, it can also be heated before filling. And depending on the type of filling you are using it can be toasted in a frying pan, under a grill or in a sandwich maker.

How do you heat up pita bread?

There are a number of ways to heat up pita bread before filling;

1. A pop-up toaster can be used if the pita bread is the right size for the toaster. I make my own pita bread to fit my pop-up toaster and as soon as they puff, they are hot and ready to use.

2. Pita bread can also be wrapped in aluminium foil and placed in a 180°C (350°F) oven for about 5 to 7 minutes or until heated.

3. A dry fry pan (skillet) on a medium heat can be used. Place the pita bread in the fry pan and heat until it is warm to touch, then flip and warm the other side. Be careful not to burn them.

4. A microwave oven can also be used. Microwave on high for about 10 seconds (the time can vary depending on your microwave), try not to overheat them in the microwave as they will dry out and become hard.

Can you put pita bread in the toaster?

Yes, you can put unfilled pita bread in a toaster to warm up and soften.

How do you open pita bread without tearing it?

I will let you in on a little secret. The way to open up pita bread without tearing, is to warm it!

I like to use a pop up toaster, but you can warm them in the oven or a dry frying pan. Warm the pita bread to the point where just starts to feel hot and soft.

Place the hot pita bread on a cake rack so, that it cools down enough for you to handle. Then use a sharp knife to carefully separate the layers.

How Do You Use Pita Bread?

There are quite a few things you could make with pita bread. You could stuff them or top them to make sandwiches and wraps, use the pita bread as a base for pizzas, or cut them up and make pita chips, crackers or croutons.

Sandwich Pita Bread Ideas

How do you cut a pita bread sandwich?

There are two ways that you can cut open a pita bread for sandwiches.

Tip: Before cutting the pita bread for sandwiches, warm the pita bread in toaster, dry frying pan or oven.

Making Pita Pocket Halves

Image showing pita bread cut into half. — Cut the pita bread down the middle for two easy to handle pieces - great for kids.

The homemade pita bread can be cut in half. Lay the bread flat on a chopping board, use a sharp knife to cut the bread right down the middle to create two halves. The pita halves are easier to fill and are great for when you have bulky fillings like meatballs.

Making A Single Pita Pocket

Image showing pita bread with a cut edge. — Make one large pita pocket sandwich by cutting of one end.

To make a single large pita pocket. Lay the homemade pita bread flat on a chopping board, position a sharp knife about 4 - 5 cm from the edge and cut through the bread. The opening should be large enough for you to fill the bread. This size is best for fillings that are cut small.

Tip: Don’t discard the piece you cut off, place it inside the pocket before adding the filling.

How do you fill a pita bread?

Chicken and salad pita sandwich. — Leftover cooked chicken mixed with salad vegetables makes a great filling for pita bread.

Pita Pocket (halves)

Hold a pita pocket half in one hand then use tongs (or spoon) to layer the filling into each pocket.

Single Pita Pocket (opening at one end)

The easiest way to fill pita bread, is cut the filling into small pieces then combine the filling and any sauce or dressing you are using into a small bowl and mix well. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.

Then hold the pita in one hand and use tongs to pick up small quantities of filling to stuff the bread.

Tip: Don’t make the filling too wet, as it can cause the pita bread to break and make it difficult to eat.

If you have another way to fill the pita bread, I would love to hear it! Let us know in the comments below.

12 Sandwich pita bread ideas

Pizza Pita Bread Ideas

Pita bread pizza with tomato and spinach. — Use leftovers for quick and easy mini pizzas.
The pizza above was made with leftover pasta sauce, spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes and cheese.

How to make pita bread pizza?

I love making pita pizzas with leftover pita bread and whatever I may have in my fridge or pantry. It’s a wonderful way to use up leftover food. And, you don’t need too much of these to make a good pita bread pizza.

Here’s what I do!

I usually start with a thin layer of sauce spread over the top. The sauce could be leftover homemade or store-bought pasta sauce, tomato sauce or some other sauce I have at the time.

Next, a light layer of protein or vegetables, this could be finely chopped cooked meats, canned tuna, cherry tomatoes, beans or whatever I think will go well on the pizza. Followed by a generous topping of grated cheese.

It’s then baked for about 10 minutes in a preheated 180°C (350°F) oven or until the cheese melts and just start to go a patchy golden brown.

If you don’t want to use leftovers, be inspired with the pizza pita bread ideas below.

12 Pizza Pita Bread Ideas

Pita Quesadillas

What is a quesadilla? A quesadilla is a Mexican toasted sandwich traditionally made with soft flour tortillas. The main ingredient for the sandwich is a stringy cheese call Oaxaca and can include other ingredients such as ham, refried beans or chorizo.

A quesadilla sandwich can be made by folding a single flour tortilla over the filling or, the filling can be placed between two flour tortillas, which is then toasted. However, a similar sandwich can be made with pita pocket bread.

Pita quesadilla with ham and cheese — Breakfast pita quesadilla made with ham, cheese, fried egg, red onion and baby spinach leaves.

Here's how to make a quesadilla with pita bread

Two whole pita breads (if they aren't two thick) can be used to make a sandwich. Simply layer your choice of filling evenly over the top of one bread the cover with the remaining pita.

Or cut the pita pocket into half along the outside edge using scissors, as shown in the picture below. Then evenly layer your choice of filling on to one half, then cover with the other. Place into a sandwich maker or a fry pan and cook on both sides until brown and heated through.

10 Quesadilla Pita Bread Ideas

Homemade Pita Chips

Homemade pita chips can be made from leftover pita bread or pita that maybe a little stale. Pita chips can be made with any flavour and can be enjoyed as a snack on their own. Or have them with dips or make pita nachos or serve with soup.

How To Make Pita Chips From Pita Bread?

Separate the pita pocket bread into half by cutting around the outside edge with scissors.

2. Stack the pita halves, use a sharp knife to cut the pita into triangles.

3. Separate the pita triangles, place in a single layer onto a baking tray lined with baking paper.

homemade pita bread cut into triangles to make pita chips

Then lightly coat each triangle with oil. The oil can either be sprayed on or applied with a pastry brush. The choice is yours if you want to oil both sides. I only apply the oil to one side.
After the oil is applied sprinkle on any flavouring you like or lightly sprinkle with salt.
Bake in a pre-heated 180°C (350°F) oven for about 15 – 20 minutes or until the chips are golden.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before serving.
Store in an airtight container or zip lock bag.

12 Flavor Ideas For Pita Chips

Well, I hope you enjoyed this page on pita bread ideas. If you have more pita bread ideas, share them in the comments below.

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Julia says

October 27, 2021 at 6:25 pm

Thanks! The recipes are very simple and affordable, it is absolutely impossible to spoil them!

Emma Davis says

May 06, 2021 at 2:53 am

Thanks for this collection of recipes. Delicious.