Soft Homemade Skillet Flatbread (Mini Pita Bread) Recipe
Soft Homemade Skillet Flatbread, also known as Mini Pita Bread, is an easy-to-make, fluffy bread cooked on the stovetop. This recipe yields tender, golden flatbreads perfect for sandwiches, dips, or enjoyed with butter and honey. Made with simple ingredients and no special equipment, it’s an ideal quick bread for homemade meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 small flatbreads
- Category: Bread
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon instant yeast
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Other
- Extra flour for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Add the warm water and olive oil, then mix until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic in texture, which helps develop the gluten for a tender bread.
- Let it Rise: Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the kneaded dough inside. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Bread: Once risen, punch down the dough gently to release air. Divide it into small, equal-sized balls. Flatten each ball into round discs approximately 1 cm thick, shaping the flatbreads to a uniform size for even cooking.
- Rest Again: Arrange the discs on a tray and cover them. Let the flattened dough rest for 15 to 20 minutes; this relaxes the gluten and improves the texture of the bread.
- Cook the Flatbread: Heat a dry pan or skillet over medium heat. Without adding oil, cook each bread on one side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and slightly puffed, then flip and cook the other side similarly. The bread should develop a light crust while remaining soft inside.
- Serve: Serve the flatbread warm. It pairs wonderfully with cheese, butter, honey, or can be used as a sandwich base. For best softness, keep the cooked breads covered with a clean towel until serving.
Notes
- Use warm water (about 105°F to 110°F) to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Kneading time is crucial for gluten development; do not rush this step for best texture.
- Cooking over medium heat ensures the bread cooks evenly without burning.
- Keep the breads covered after cooking to maintain softness and prevent drying out.
- You can store leftover flatbreads in an airtight container and reheat on a skillet or microwave.
