Recipes › Bread & Pizza › Pita Pizza Recipe

Pita Pizza Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

Pita Pizza Recipe is a quick, versatile Italian-inspired main course that transforms soft pita bread into a crispy-bottomed canvas for traditional pizza toppings. This modern take on classic pizza delivers authentic flavors in minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Each pita becomes an individual-sized pizza with a tender interior and golden, lightly charred edges.

Ingredients

• 4 pita breads (200g total)
• 120ml tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
• 100g fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces
• 40g Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 15ml extra virgin olive oil
• 8-10 fresh basil leaves
• 120g roasted red peppers from a jar, cut into strips
• 80g sliced mushrooms
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 5ml dried oregano
• 2.5ml salt
• 1.25ml freshly ground black pepper
• 30g fresh arugula (optional, for topping after cooking)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a small bowl, combine tomato passata with minced garlic, 10ml olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well blended.

3. Place the four pita breads on the prepared baking sheet, arranging them so they do not overlap.

4. Divide the tomato sauce evenly among the pita breads, spreading it gently with the back of a spoon to cover each pita, leaving a 1cm border around the edges.

5. Distribute the roasted red peppers, sliced mushrooms, and red onion evenly across all four pitas.

6. Tear mozzarella pieces and distribute them evenly over each pita, then sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top.

7. Drizzle the remaining 5ml olive oil lightly across the top of each pita pizza.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pita edges are lightly golden and crispy.

9. Remove from the oven and immediately tear fresh basil leaves and scatter over the hot pizzas. Add fresh arugula on top if desired. Let cool for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Substitutions

• Replace mozzarella with vegan cheese for a dairy-free version
• Substitute roasted red peppers with fresh spinach or sun-dried tomatoes
• Use whole wheat pita bread for added fiber and nutrition
• Replace mushrooms with grilled zucchini or caramelized onions

Tips

• Toast the pita breads for 2-3 minutes alone before adding toppings if you prefer extra crispiness on the bottom
• Don't overload the pitas with toppings; keep them to a moderate layer so the pita crisps properly rather than steaming
• For a more authentic Italian touch, use San Marzano tomatoes crushed by hand instead of passata
• Prepare all toppings before assembly to keep cooking time minimal and ensure even baking

While pita pizza is a modern fusion creation rather than a traditional Italian dish, it draws inspiration from Italian pizza-making traditions and the Mediterranean practice of using flatbreads as edible plates. The concept respects Italian principles of quality ingredients and simple preparation, adapting them to contemporary convenience.

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