How to Make Pita Pizza

If you’re craving homemade pizza but don’t have the time to make an entire dough recipe from scratch, make these individual Pita Pizzas instead.

Top them with your favorite tomato sauce, torn fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, and a sprinkle of flaky salt. The beauty of this recipe is that it’s easy enough to customize each pita based on your family’s preferences without a whole lot of work. It’s also a great recipe for little ones to help out with, too.

Grab a package of pita pockets from the grocery store to keep on hand whenever a craving for pizza strikes. If you’re feeling really ambitious, though, you can even make your own pita bread from scratch. 

Pita Pizza Ingredients 

This Pita Pizza recipe is inspired by a classic Margherita pizza, which features the colors of the Italian flag in the form of a few readily accessible ingredients. 

• Pita bread: Either Greek-style pitas (no pocket) or Middle Eastern-style pitas (which often have a pocket) are fine for this recipe. You can use store-bought pita bread or make your own. You can also start with a batch of these yeast-free yogurt flatbreads. 
• Extra virgin olive oil: Brushing the pitas with a high-quality olive oil such ensures that the pitas get golden brown and crispy. I like Koroneiki, an Organic Greek EVOO. 
• Tomato sauce: Follow Suzy’s Easy Homemade Spaghetti Sauce recipe or just use your favorite store-bought jar to spread over the pita bread.
• Fresh mozzarella: Torn fresh mozzarella cheese melts up beautifully in the oven and has a milkier, creamier flavor than the aged version, but feel free to use either one.
• Flaky Salt: A sprinkle of flaky salt over the top of each pita brings out the flavors of the other ingredients and adds just a little bit of texture. You can omit this if you’re on a low-sodium diet.
• Fresh Basil brightens up each pita with color and a fresh herbal note.

How to Make Pita Pizza

Pita pizzas come together in a snap, making them easy enough to cook dinner on a busy weeknight. I like to cook them directly on a preheated pizza stone to ensure a pita pizza with a crisp crust, but you can also just preheat a baking sheet for a similar result. Here’s how to make them, step-by-step:

• Prepare the oven. Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a pizza stone or large sheet tray on a rack adjusted to the top position while the oven preheats.
• Add the toppings. Brush each pita with about 1 teaspoon olive oil. Spread about 2 tablespoons of marinara sauce evenly over the top of each pita, leaving about a 1/2-inch border. Top each pita with about 1 ounce fresh mozzarella. Lightly sprinkle each pita with flaky salt, if using.
• Bake and serve. Use a heat-safe spatula to transfer the pitas directly onto the preheated pizza stone or sheet tray. Bake until the cheese has melted and the pitas are crispy, 6 to 7 minutes. Let cool briefly, top with fresh basil, slice, and serve.

Make It Your Own

Just like ordering from your favorite pizza shop, there are so many ways that you can top these pita pizzas. Here are a few suggestions, but feel free to get creative with in-season produce and other pantry staples that you love too. 

• Smoky Sausage and Squash Pita Pizzas: Top each pita with thinly sliced smoked mozzarella, crumbled cooked turkey sausage, diced roasted butternut squash, and a drizzle of hot honey for the ultimate fall bite.
• Vegetarian Greek Pita Pizzas: Instead of the usual tomato sauce, spread an olive tapenade evenly over each pita, then top with finely chopped roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, pickled red onions, and crumbled feta cheese.
• Tie Dye Pita Pizza: This popular pizza style features marinara sauce and mozzarella with a generous swirl of basil pesto for a colorful twist on a classic Margherita. 

What to Serve With Pita Pizzas

If you’re making pita pizzas for dinner, serve them alongside plenty of crisp veggies for a complete meal. We love this easy Grilled Asparagus with Lemon and Garlic during grilling season or a classic Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons anytime of year. Another no-qualms side? This Big Easy Italian Salad that everyone will love.