Homemade Baked Pita Chips: The Ultimate Crispy, Flavorful Snack
Transform your leftover pita bread into irresistibly crispy Homemade Baked Pita Chips with just four core ingredients: pita bread, olive oil, garlic, and sea salt. These delectable chips are incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal effort and time, and pair perfectly with a creamy hummus or any dip you love. Say goodbye to store-bought versions and hello to a fresh, customizable snack that’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Here at A Cedar Spoon, our mission is to provide you with delicious, easy-to-follow recipes for meals and snacks that can be effortlessly made from scratch. We believe that wholesome food doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Instead, it should be an enjoyable part of your routine, offering tasty rewards you can savor throughout the week.
Imagine your ideal Sunday: a day of rest and preparation. In my kitchen, this often means a vibrant hub of activity. You might find a batch of homemade granola baking, filling the air with warm, comforting aromas. The food processor might be whirring away, whipping up a fresh batch of creamy peanut butter or silky smooth hummus. And, of course, a rich, healthy tomato sauce simmering on the stove, destined for pasta dishes and my freezer to enjoy later. This kind of mindful preparation sets the tone for a week of healthy and delicious eating.
Among our weekly staples, pita bread holds a special place. We are fortunate to have a wonderful local Middle Eastern store nearby that supplies all the authentic ingredients for my Lebanese recipes, including shelves upon shelves of freshly baked pita bread. This tradition runs deep for me. As a little girl, I remember accompanying my Grandpa to his favorite Lebanese store to pick up fresh pita. Continuing this cherished tradition brings back a flood of wonderful memories and a profound connection to my heritage every time I step through their doors.
When it comes to pita bread, people often fall into two distinct camps: those who prefer thin pita and those who prefer thick. Both varieties are excellent for crafting sandwiches, wraps, or simply dipping into your favorite spread. However, for making delicious homemade hummus and, more importantly, these perfectly crispy Homemade Baked Pita Chips, I almost always lean towards the thinner pita bread. Its delicate texture crisps up beautifully, offering that satisfying crunch we all crave in a chip.
One valuable lesson I’ve learned about fresh pita bread is its shelf life. If you don’t plan on consuming it within the first few days of purchase, it’s best to either freeze it or turn it into pita chips. Fresh pita tends to harden quickly, making it less ideal for soft wraps but absolutely perfect for baking into golden, crunchy chips. This recipe is an ingenious way to prevent food waste while creating a fantastic snack.
Why Make Your Own Baked Pita Chips?
While store-bought pita chips are readily available, making your own offers a multitude of benefits that elevate the snacking experience:
Control Over Ingredients and Flavor
The primary advantage of homemade pita chips is the complete control you have over the ingredients. You dictate the quality of olive oil, the freshness of the garlic, and the amount of sea salt. This means you can adjust the seasoning to your exact preference. Love extra salty chips? Go for it! Prefer a subtle hint of garlic? You can achieve that too. This level of customization is simply not possible with pre-packaged options.
Cost-Effective and Waste Reduction
Making pita chips at home is significantly more economical than buying them. A few rounds of pita bread, especially if you catch them on sale or have some nearing their ‘best by’ date, can be transformed into a generous batch of chips for a fraction of the cost. It’s an excellent strategy for reducing food waste and making the most of your pantry staples.
The Freshness Factor
There’s an undeniable difference in taste and texture when something is made fresh. Homemade pita chips come out of your oven warm, fragrant, and with a crispness that store-bought versions can rarely match. The aroma of toasted pita, garlic, and olive oil is intoxicating and promises a superior snacking experience.
The Star Ingredients: What You’ll Need
This recipe shines in its simplicity, relying on just a handful of quality ingredients to deliver maximum flavor and crunch. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these baked pita chips so special:
Pita Bread: The Foundation
As mentioned, thin pita bread is generally preferred for its ability to crisp up quickly and evenly. However, thicker pita can also work; you might just need to adjust baking time slightly to ensure it’s fully crispy without burning. Fresh pita works best, but slightly firm pita that’s a few days old is also perfect for this application. You’ll cut each round into 8 triangles, giving you plenty of dippers.
Olive Oil: For Crispiness and Flavor
Olive oil is crucial for both flavor and achieving that desirable golden-brown crisp. A good quality extra virgin olive oil will impart a rich, slightly fruity note that complements the other seasonings beautifully. It also helps the garlic and salt adhere to the pita, ensuring every chip is coated evenly.
Garlic and Sea Salt: The Essential Seasoning Duo
Fresh minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic kick that is quintessential to savory pita chips. Don’t skimp on this! Sea salt, with its coarse texture and clean flavor, is ideal for seasoning. Remember, you can adjust the amount to suit your taste – a little goes a long way, but some prefer a more robust salty punch.
Get Creative with Additional Spices
While garlic and sea salt are the core, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for experimentation. Consider adding a dash of black pepper (as in the recipe), a sprinkle of dried oregano, a pinch of za’atar for a Middle Eastern flair, or a touch of smoked paprika for depth. Chili flakes can add a subtle heat if you enjoy a spicy kick. The possibilities are endless!
Step-by-Step Guide: Baking Perfect Pita Chips
Creating these golden, crunchy delights is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for flawless results every time:
Preparing Your Pita Bread
- Preheat your oven: Get your oven to the recommended temperature before you start. This ensures even cooking from the moment the chips go in.
- Cut with precision: Using a sharp knife or even kitchen shears, cut each large pita bread round into 8 uniform triangles. Aim for consistent sizes to ensure they all crisp up at the same rate. Spreading them in a single layer on baking sheets is key for even baking, so use two sheets if necessary. If your baking sheets aren’t non-stick, a light spray of cooking oil will prevent sticking.
Seasoning for Success
- Combine the flavors: In a small bowl, whisk together your olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt, and a dash of pepper (or any other spices you choose to add).
- Brush evenly: Using a pastry brush, lightly coat both sides of each pita triangle with the olive oil mixture. Ensure every piece gets a good amount of seasoning for maximum flavor. This step is crucial for achieving that beautiful golden-brown color and irresistible crunch.
Baking to Golden Perfection
- Bake and flip: Place the seasoned pita triangles in the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. This ensures both sides get equally toasted and crispy.
- Watch carefully: Ovens can vary, so keep a close eye on your pita chips, especially as they approach the 10-minute mark. You’re looking for a light golden-brown color. Over-baking can lead to a burnt taste, so remove them promptly once they reach your desired crispness.
- Cool and serve: Once baked, remove the pita chips from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets. They will continue to crisp up as they cool. You can leave them whole or break them into smaller, irregular pieces for a more rustic feel.
Serving Suggestions: Beyond Just Hummus
While these baked pita chips are a match made in heaven for hummus, their versatility extends far beyond that classic pairing. They make an excellent on-the-go snack for both kids and adults, providing a satisfying crunch and savory flavor. Here are some more ideas:
Classic Dips and Spreads
- Hummus varieties: Beyond traditional hummus, try them with spicy hummus, roasted red pepper hummus, or even a sweet potato hummus.
- Other Mediterranean favorites: They are fantastic with baba ghanoush, tzatziki, or a creamy feta dip.
- Classic cream cheese dips: Spinach artichoke dip, onion dip, or a simple garlic herb cream cheese spread.
Creative Pairings and Uses
- Summer dips: Explore a range of refreshing summer dips like a white bean and sun-dried tomato dip, avocado dip, or a fresh salsa.
- Soups and salads: Crumble them over creamy tomato soup or sprinkle them on top of a fresh garden salad for an extra layer of texture instead of croutons.
- Cheese boards: Arrange them on a cheese board alongside various cheeses, olives, and fresh fruit for an elegant appetizer.
- Snack on their own: Honestly, these chips are so flavorful, they are perfectly delicious eaten by themselves as a quick, satisfying snack.
Storage and Reinvigoration Tips
These homemade pita chips will last wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three weeks. However, in my house, they rarely last that long! If, by some miracle, they start to lose a little of their crunch over time, don’t worry. You can easily revive them by popping them back into a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until they regain their crispiness. Just be sure to let them cool completely before serving.
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below! Subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on
Facebook,
Instagram, or
Pinterest for the latest.
Homemade Baked Pita Chips
Saved
Pin
Ingredients
- 4 large pita bread rounds, cut into 8 triangles {total of 32 pita triangles}
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt {more or less depending on your desire for salty pita chips}
- Dash of pepper
Instructions
-
Preaheat the oven to 375 degrees.
-
While the oven is preheating cut the pita into triangles and arrange in a single layer on two large non-stick baking sheets {if you don’t have non-stick I suggest spaying a quick nonstick spray on your cookie sheet so they don’t stick}.
-
In a small mixing bowl combine the olive oil, garlic, sea salt and one grind of a pepper mill.
-
Using a brush coat each side of the pita triangles with the olive oil mixture.
-
Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until a light golden brown color {make sure to watch them so they don’t burn}, flipping the pita triangles over half way through cooking.
-
Let the pita chips cool, break the pita chips to your liking or leave them whole and serve with hummus or your favorite dip. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Notes
- Everyone’s oven varies when cooking so be sure to check your pita chips as you approach the 10 minute mark to make sure they don’t burn.[br]You can store these in an airtight container for
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.