Pita Bread Making: A Hands-On Activity for Toddlers

You must give your toddler the best learning experience possible as they grow. Reading stories and playing with building blocks are fun, but kids crave new experiences. For most parents, letting their kids run around the kitchen is out of the picture. However, making pita bread with kids can be an exciting learning moment that teaches them the basics of cooking, responsibility, and motor skills. The result is delicious bread the whole family can enjoy.

Pita bread originated from the Middle East and has been a staple food for people in Greek and Mediterranean culture. What’s so special about this pocket flatbread is its semi-dry exterior with a chewy texture. It also boasts higher protein and fiber content than other grain products.

Although many mistake pita bread for naan bread and tortilla wrap, it is much easier to bake since you can make it with a regular oven at home. Don't forget to serve it with a creamy dip or a drool-worthy sandwich filling made with Lady’s Choice Real Mayonnaise!

Making Homemade Pita Bread

This Korean import mixes sweet and savory in a chunky snack. This hefty sandwich, commonly eaten at breakfast, contains fluffy scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, and unique egg drop sauce. Recreate the sauce at home by combining Lady's Choice Real Mayonnaise and condensed milk.

Classic PB&J sandwich

Pita bread ingredients

1.     2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
2.     ¼ cup of whole-wheat flour
3.     ½ teaspoon of sugar
4.     1 teaspoon of kosher salt
5.     2 teaspoons of active dry yeast

Cooking steps

1. In a large mixing bowl, add one cup of water with yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve. Then, add your whole-wheat flour and ¼ cup of all-purpose flour. You or your child can take turns whisking these ingredients together. Then, place the bowl uncovered in a warm area until the mixture is bubbling.
   
2. Add salt, olive oil, and almost all of the remaining all-purpose flour. Leave ½ cup for later use. With a wooden spoon, proceed to stir. Dust the mixture with a little reserved flour and knead the dough in the bowl for a minute, including any small bits of dry dough.
   
3. Transfer dough onto a work surface for you and your child to knead. Do this for two minutes until the dough is smooth.
   
4. Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes. Knead it again for two minutes. The dough should be soft and moist, so avoid adding too much-reserved flour. Don’t worry if your little one loves it. You can knead longer.
   
5. Clean the mixing bowl as your child is having fun and then place the dough back in the bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with cling wrap and a towel and put it in a warm place. Leave the dough alone until it doubles in size – around an hour.
   
6. Heat your oven to 250°C and place a heavy-duty baking sheet on a baking tray on the bottom shelf of the oven.
   
7. Take your dough and pour it out onto a lightly floured work surface. This is where you and your little one can have a bit more fun. Punch down the dough and fold repeatedly until the air is gone. Then, divide the dough into eight pieces of equal size.
   
8. Form each piece into a little ball and place dough balls on your work surface. Cover with a damp towel and leave for ten minutes.
   
9. Remove one ball (while keeping the others covered) and press it into a flat disk using a rolling pin. The ideal measurements would be a six-inch circle, to an eight-inch diameter, and ⅛-inch thick, while dusting with flour if necessary.
   
10. Lift the dough circle and place it quickly onto the hot baking sheet. After two minutes, the dough should puff nicely. Turn it over and bake for one minute or more. The pita should be pale with a couple of brown speckles.
    
11. Transfer pita bread into a napkin-lined basket and cover so the bread stays soft. Repeat until all balls are perfectly puffed.
    

Using these instructions, you and your toddler will have eight impeccable, six-inch pieces of bread for serving.

Taking It To the Next Level

Pair your homemade pita bread with a dip from hummus, or you can fill it with veggies and cheese. However, if you and your little one would like to take it up a notch, here are a few ways to make things more exciting.

Pita Pizza

You can get creative and continue spending time with your sous-chef by using your pita bread as the base of your pizza. All you need to do is brush a little olive oil on your pita before spreading the sauce and sprinkling the shredded mozzarella. Have some fun with it and add your child’s favorites on top! A pizza party is always welcome in every family home.

Fruity Peanut Butter Pita Sandwiches

This is a clever way to integrate healthy eating into making bread with kids. They’ll love these sandwiches just as much as they love making the pita. Peanut butter and fruit are a great pairing and will be a knockout with the young ones. Bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and apples are great with peanut butter and a dash of cinnamon. Adding chocolate bits wouldn’t hurt either. The children can choose their preferred fixings or mix and match for each pita pocket. Don’t be surprised if they request to make this again — it’s a guaranteed hit!

Flying Saucers (Pita Pocket Sandwiches)

If your toddler prefers something savory rather than sweet, try this suggestion. It’s easy to prep and requires a few ingredients including cooked ham, bologna, tomato, lettuce, Lady’s Choice Real Mayonnaise, and mustard. Of course, these contents can change depending on what’s available in the fridge. Kids can have fun with it and customize it freely.

It might be messy but sharing these moments of laughter and learning with your child at a young age is priceless. The act of pita bread making not only activates their senses but allows them to have a better understanding of and appreciation for food. For older kids, you may also try other recipes with a higher level of difficulty, such as Tuna Melt Pie and Kani Sushi!