Honey Whole Wheat Pita Bread

Honey Whole Wheat Pita

1 1/2 Cups Warm Water

1 Package Active Dry Yeast

1 1/2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (optional)

1/2 tsp Honey

3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

2 tsp Salt

All Purpose Flour for dusting

1. Pour water into the bowl of an electric stand mixer with dough hook attached. Add yeast, olive oil and honey. Allow yeast to bloom until it begins to foam, about 5 minutes. 
2. Add flour, then salt. Mix on medium speed for one minute. Turn the mixer down to low and mix for 2 minutes longer. Increase speed to medium and continue to mix 2 minutes longer. If at any point the dough wraps completely around the hook and is no longer kneading, turn off the machine, scrape the dough off the hook back into the bowl and return to mixing. 
3. Transfer dough to a clean work surface and knead by hand for one minute longer or until you have a round, smooth, elastic dough. 
4. Pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a medium sized bowl.  (I do not use an entire Tbsp here, I just poor a tsp or so into the bowl and make sure that the bowl is coated with oil...) Place dough into bowl and coat with the oil by turning over. Cover with a clean damp towel or plastic wrap and place in a moderately warm, draft-free place until doubled in volume, usually about 2 hours.
5. Position an up-side down 18 x 13 aluminum sheet pan or a baking stone on the middle rack in the oven.
6. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
7. Transfer the proofed dough to a clean work surface and knead it by hand until it is round, smooth and elastic, about one minute. Divide the dough into 16 pieces, (2 ounces each) and shape into balls. (I usually get 12 - 14 pieces and the calorie information at the bottom of the page is based on a yield of 14 pitas) Cover with a clean towel and allow to proof until expanded slightly in size, about 20 minutes.
8. Dust a clean work surface with all-purpose flour. Roll dough into 6-inch circles. You may stack them between parchment paper or clean towels. Carefully and quickly place them in the oven directly on the baking sheet or stone. You may bake 2 or 3 at a time. Cook pitas for 2 minutes or until puffed. (I find that baking two at a time on a baking stone for 2 minutes and 15 seconds works best) Remove with a metal spatula. Repeat with remaining dough. Serve hot or at room temperature. Once cooled, pitas may be stored in a re-sealable plastic storage bag for up to 2 days.
9. Alternatively, the dough may me made a day ahead. After the dough has been kneaded and put into the bowl with the olive oil, place it into the refrigerator to proof overnight. The next day, pull dough from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at least 2 hours before proceeding with the recipe.

Nutrition Information: 

Calories: 112, Carbs: 20, Fat: 2, Protein: 4

Serving Ideas:

These are really good served with hummus. 

I like to cut the pitas in half to create pockets, spread the hummus inside of the pita pockets, and then stuff the pockets with veggies (shredded lettuce, cabbage, spinach, and carrots) and a few pieces of grilled chicken (grill chicken and cut into small cubes or strips). Yum.