Easy Sourdough Discard Pita Bread Recipe

Want an easy sourdough bread recipe? How about a delicious sourdough pita bread, perfect for when you’re on the go? Simply fill these delightful pockets with your favorite sauces, meats, or veggies. Check out the simple recipe below!

Table of Contents

• What is Sourdough Pita Bread?
  • Sourdough Starter vs Discard for Pita Bread
• Top Tips for the Best Sourdough Pita Bread
• Pita vs Flatbread: What’s the Difference?
• Easy Sourdough Discard Pita Bread Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • How to Store Sourdough Pita Bread?
• What to Serve with Sourdough Discard Pita?
• Sourdough Pita
• FAQs

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What is Sourdough Pita Bread?

Sourdough pita bread is a delicious twist on the traditional Middle Eastern bread.

Pita bread puffs up when baking, creating an air pocket in its center. This makes homemade pita bread an ideal candidate for filling.

The sourdough discard adds a delicious uniqueness to these pita breads, not to mention incredibly addicting.

Sourdough Starter vs Discard for Pita Bread

If you happen to bake lots of sourdough bread, then chances are you’re in possession of two types of starter: a fresh active starter, and a discarded starter.

A fresh sourdough starter is constantly bubbling, especially after feeding. This is mainly due to the natural yeasts and healthy bacteria that help leaven the bread.

The sourdough discard on the other hand is quite immobile, since it has ran out of fresh flour to feed on. It’s typically kept to add a sourdough flavored element to a variety of recipes.

Top Tips for the Best Sourdough Pita Bread

Generally, a pita bread will impart a neutral flavor. However with the addition of a sourdough discard, you’ll be able to detect a hint of sourness in your sourdough discard pita bread.

While this in itself is incredibly amazing, the taste of the pita bread is even better when paired with your favorite filling.

Here are some tips to achieve the perfect sourdough discard pita:

• It’s important that you cook your pita bread in a very hot oven. Preheat a pizza stone for 30 minutes before baking the pita, as this will help the pocket form.
• If your dough is too dry your pita will not form a pocket. Add a dusting of flour to the dough, till it becomes tacky.
• Let the dough rise for an extra hour. Then proceed to shape your dough, and allow it to rise again, 30 minutes before rolling.
• Roll the pita dough, till it’s super thin. The thinner the better!
• When you’re ready to bake your pita bread, ensure that there is lots of steam in your oven. Simply spray the top of your dough with water before placing it into your preheated oven.

Pita vs Flatbread: What’s the Difference?

A pita bread was made to be filled with a variety of ingredients, whilst a flatbread is used for dipping.

Apart from this, the main difference lies in the ingredients, while the cooking technique and shapes remains the same.

For a pita bread, most recipes will require salt, yeast, white or whole wheat flour, and water. Though a flatbread will require the same ingredients, it also requires the addition of yogurt, oil and butter.

(By the way, I have a sourdough flatbread recipe, too!)

Easy Sourdough Discard Pita Bread Recipe

This simple pita bread recipe, requires an unfed sourdough starter, cast iron skillet and commercial yeast for a quick same day sourdough recipe. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tsp active dry yeast or instant yeast
• ¾ cup unfed sourdough starter
• Olive oil

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk both flours and salt, then set this aside.
2. Place the warm water in a large bowl, then sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for five minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. Add sourdough discard and flour mixture to the water and mix thoroughly, until you have formed a shaggy dough.
4. Transfer the pita dough to a clean work surface, and knead for 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth.
5. Lightly grease a bowl with olive oil and place the kneaded dough into the bowl.
6. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and let the dough rise at room temperature until it doubles in size. This should take 2 hours.
7. Preheat the oven, as well as a pizza stone or baking sheet to 450F.
8. Transfer the proofed pita dough to a lightly floured work surface.
9. Divide the dough into 8 equal dough balls.
10. Use a rolling pin to shape the dough into circles.
11. Add the pitas to the preheated baking stone, and bake until the dough puffs up. This should take 3-4 minutes, so keep a close eye on your pitas!

How to Store Sourdough Pita Bread?

Any leftover sourdough pita bread is good enough to eat over the next 4 days. Simply store the pitas in an airtight container and store atop the kitchen counter at room temperature.

Additionally, you can opt to freeze the sourdough pitas for 2-3 months, and reheat in the oven before serving.

What to Serve with Sourdough Discard Pita?

Pita bread have a pocket for you to fill with your favorite ingredients. From meats to sauces, topped and finished with cheese, these little pockets of delight make the perfect evening meal.

Here are some ideas for you to try:

• Serve these sourdough pitas with a side of hummus, for a more traditional meal. You can use salt or paprika for additional flavors if you wish.
• Fill these pita pockets with your favorite fillings. Add roasted chicken breast, followed by red onions, and cheese. Pop these in the oven for 5 minutes, so that the cheese melts beautifully, before indulging in this divine baked pita bread.
• Sometimes pita breads are used as a dipping tool for spicy curries. Rip off a bite-sized piece of sourdough pita bread and dip into a sauce curry, allowing the pita to soak up all the gorgeous flavors, before taking a huge bite.

Sourdough Pita

These homemade pitas make a light, and flavorful evening dinner, try baking a batch of these sourdough discard pitas for you and your family to enjoy!

FAQs