How to Make Shawarma Bread/Pita Bread in a Pan and Oven

February 19, 2020 Odiraa

Shawarma Bread a.k.a (Naan Flat Bread /Pita bread) has never been easier than this.

Baking bread is always the same-mix, rise, shape, and bake with maybe a few twists and a turn along the way and shawarma bread is no exception.

When it comes to Shawarma, one important ingredient is the bread.

It is somehow baffling because this flatbread comes in many names.

You can call it a Naan bread, and Pita bread and some also call it Chapati.

Please Read: Chicken Shawarma: How to Make Nigerian Chicken Shawarma

Pita is a type of flatbread from the Mediterranean region.

What a Naan is to Indians is what Pita is to the Arabians.

This Pita bread is also often referred to as Arabic Bread, Syrian Bread or Greek Pita Bread.

Although the pita bread dough is similar to other flatbreads like pizza dough or a Naan dough, few ingredients and techniques are used while making the bread.

This is what gives it the unique puff (pocket) making it ideal for fillings, wraps or sandwiches.

Enough said, when making perfect Shawarma bread, all you need are 3 or 4 (if you add oil) basic ingredients, that I bet you already have in your kitchen.

You don’t have to be a cook, to make this bread; even if you haven’t baked bread before, you won’t have any problems making this flatbread.

You can make it in a Pan (stove-top) or an Oven.

Both methods are great, but with the pan, you get the distinctive brown spots of pita bread.

While in an oven you don’t get as much (except you are using an oven stone).

Here is a simple and basic recipe on how to make shawarma bread or flour tortilla in the comfort of your home without worrying about the chemical jargon in the shop-bought own.

Shawarma Bread Recipe

Some people make shawarma bread using yeast, while some don’t. But the basic ingredients stay the same – flour, salt, and butter.

Ingredients for both methods

1 ¾ cups plain flour + more for dusting
¼ cup vegetable shortening/butter/oil
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
½ cup of warm water
Directions
Firstly, combine all the ingredients in a bowl and knead well till a smooth ball form.
Then, allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes.
After that, cut dough into eight equal pieces.
Lastly, roll each piece out and cut a circle.

How to Make Nigerian Shawarma Bread on a Pan

If you want to make the Shawarma bread on a pan (on stove-top):

Firstly, heat up a nonstick pan until it’s very hot.
Then place the rolled dough on it.
Thirdly, when you begin to see bubbles, flip over to the other side and watch as the balloon takes shape…that’s the fun part of the whole process.
After that, the balloon will also form if you don’t flip over, but that will result in one side burning and turning black (which we don’t want, right?)
Lastly, deflate the balloon and place it on a tray lined with a damp kitchen towel, and repeat the process for the remaining dough.

Cooking Tip

To keep the bread fresh and soft after cooking, cover with a damp cloth.
To preserve the bread for later use, wrap in a Ziploc or poly bag. It will stay fresh at room temperature for 2-3 days.