Toasting Pita Bread In An Air Fryer: Quick And Easy?

Pita bread is a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine and is often used to scoop up dips or fill with grilled meat and veggies. It is typically baked in a clay oven at a high temperature of about 475 to 500°F. However, with the help of an air fryer, the cooking process is simplified and shortened, requiring minimal effort and offering consistent results. In this article, we will explore the topic of toasting pita bread in an air fryer, including recipes and tips for achieving the perfect pita chip.

How to make pita bread in an air fryer

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Whole wheat flour
• Sea salt
• Olive oil
• Lukewarm water
• Active dried yeast
• Sugar
• Za'atar (optional)

Method

• Activate the yeast by combining lukewarm water, active dry yeast, sugar, and a small amount of all-purpose flour. Mix thoroughly, then cover and let the mixture activate in a warm spot for 15 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sea salt, and the activated yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then add olive oil and combine.
• Continue kneading the dough by hand for a few minutes until it becomes less sticky. Transfer the dough to a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment and knead at medium-high speed for 5-8 minutes until smooth.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it back in the bowl. Drizzle olive oil in the bowl to prevent sticking, then cover and let the dough rise in a warm area for 1-2 hours.
• After the first proof, gently deflate the dough and determine the serving style and size of pita. For pita sandwiches, each dough ball should weigh 110-120 grams to make an 8-inch pita. For smaller pitas, use 90-100 grams of dough to make 5-6-inch pitas, perfect as a side dish or appetizer.
• Based on the desired size, divide the dough into portions and shape them into small balls. Cover and let them rest in a warm spot for another 15-20 minutes for the second proof.
• After the second proof, use a rolling pin or a tortilla press to roll out the pita dough to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5-8 minutes. Spray cooking spray in the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
• Place the raw pita dough in the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F. Cook each pita for 5-8 minutes, depending on the size, until they puff up and turn golden.
• Once cooked, use a kitchen knife to slice the larger pita bread in half to create a pocket for fillings. For smaller pitas, cut them into bite-sized triangles, perfect for dipping.

Tips

• Weigh the dough after the first proof to ensure consistent sizing and cooking time.
• Always preheat the air fryer for a better pita outcome.
• Use a tortilla press instead of a rolling pin for consistent size and thickness.
• Do not exceed the recommended proofing times to avoid over-proofing or under-proofing the dough.
• Ensure proper yeast activation by using lukewarm water with a temperature between 95-110°F.
• Store leftover pita bread in an airtight container or ziplock bags in the fridge for 2-3 days.

Serving Suggestions

Pita bread is a versatile dish that can be served in various ways:

• As a scoop for savory dips like hummus, baba ganoush, tzatziki, or Lebanese toum sauce.
• As a wrap for grilled meats, veggies, and tangy yogurt sauces, creating delicious pita sandwiches.
• As an edible utensil to hold meats and veggies on the go.

The best air fryer pita chips

Ingredients

• Pita bread (store-bought or homemade)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Seasonings of your choice (e.g. za'atar, rosemary, cinnamon sugar)

Method

• Cut the pita bread into wedges or triangles. You can use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the pita into equal-sized pieces, with thicker pitas cut into slightly smaller pieces.
• Drizzle or toss the pita pieces with olive oil and your chosen seasonings. You can also add the olive oil and seasonings to a bowl, mix them together, and then drizzle the mixture over the pita pieces.
• Place the pita pieces into the air fryer basket. It's okay if they overlap slightly, as this will help them stay in place while cooking.
• Air fry at 320-325°F for 6 minutes. Then, turn the chips over and continue cooking for another 5-8 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispness and golden brown colour. The total cooking time will depend on the thickness of the pita and your preferred level of crispness.
• For best results, check the chips regularly and remove any that are cooked to your liking before the others.
• If you are cooking a large batch, air fry the chips in smaller batches to ensure even cooking.
• Enjoy your homemade pita chips with your favourite dips, such as hummus, tzatziki, or baba ganoush. They also go well with salads and soups.

Tips

• Stale pita bread works great for this recipe, as does leftover pita pockets.
• Use a pizza cutter to cut the pita into pieces for a quick and easy solution.
• You can store leftover pita chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If they start to soften, refresh them in the air fryer at 250°F for 1-2 minutes.
• To make pita chips in the oven, preheat the oven to 375-425°F and bake the pita pieces for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

How to store pita chips

Storing your pita chips correctly will ensure they remain crunchy and delicious. Here are some tips on how to store them:

• Allow the pita chips to cool completely before storing. This is important as they will continue to crisp up as they cool.
• Store the pita chips in an airtight container or storage bag at room temperature.
• Consume the pita chips within 3-5 days for the best taste and texture.
• For longer-term storage, you can freeze the pita chips for up to one month.

How to make pita chips in the oven

Ingredients:

• Pita pockets (white or whole wheat)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Parsley (dried or fresh)

Optional Seasonings:

• Everything but the bagel seasoning
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Cumin
• Cinnamon

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Cut the pita pockets into equal triangles, just like you would slice a pizza. You should get 8 triangles from each pita.
• Mix the oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley in a bowl and drizzle half of this mixture over the pita triangles. Toss with your hands to coat the pita, then repeat with the remaining oil and herbs.
• Spread the pita triangles in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the oven for 8 minutes. For a softer chip, try 6 minutes, and for a crispier chip, go for 10 minutes. The pitas will crisp up a little after you take them out of the oven, so bear this in mind.
• Once the pita chips are completely cool, store them in an airtight container or storage bag at room temperature. They should last 3-5 days.

What to serve with pita bread

Pita bread is a popular Middle Eastern flatbread that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is made from wheat flour, yeast, water, and salt, and is characterised by the air pocket that forms in the middle when baked at high temperatures.

Dips

Pita bread is often used to scoop up dips. Here are some dips that you could serve with pita bread:

• Hummus
• Tzatziki
• Baba ganoush
• Toum (Lebanese garlic sauce)
• Greek yoghurt and cucumber sauce
• Hot artichoke dip with peperoncini

Salads

Pita bread goes well with salads. Here are some salad ideas to serve with pita bread:

• Chicken Caesar salad
• Tabbouleh
• Mediterranean hummus bowl
• Greek-style lamb salad

Grilled vegetables

Grilled vegetables are a common side dish to serve with pita bread. Try grilling some broccoli, bell peppers, and zucchini to serve with your pita bread.

Sandwiches and wraps

Pita bread can be used to make sandwiches and wraps. Here are some ideas for what to put in your pita bread:

• Chicken gyros with tzatziki sauce
• Crispy meat-stuffed pita (Arayes)
• Chicken Caesar salad wraps
• Falafel with cucumber-yoghurt sauce, lettuce, and tomatoes
• Homemade hummus
• Chicken shawarma salad
• Roasted eggplant sabich bowl
• Lamb meatballs with yoghurt-tahini sauce
• Halloumi with hummus or baba ghanoush
• Mushroom shawarma bowls
• Falafel-spiced tofu with whipped tahini
• Poached eggs with borani esfenaj (a Persian dip)
• Za'atar tofu pita wraps

Other dishes

• Grilled chicken skewers
• Lamb kabobs with tzatziki sauce
• Egg salad with green olives
• Middle Eastern beef with hummus
• Spicy avocado
• Chicken and avocado salad with lime and cilantro
• Greek peperoncini chicken salad
• Turkey pita sandwiches with cranberry salsa
• Tarragon chicken salad
• Chicken salad with basil
• Sun-dried tomato tapenade
• Spicy chicken salad with ginger and lemon
• Salmon salad with dill
• Black-eyed pea hummus
• White bean hummus
• Roasted tomato hummus
• Curried chicken salad

Frequently asked questions