One of the best ways to incorporate healthier foods into your diet is to make them yourself rather than buying the commercially made versions. Baking your own pita bread chips has several advantages over store-bought chips, starting with better taste. Any food that is made fresh is almost guaranteed to have superior flavor to packaged foods. Additionally, you can add a variety of flavorings to spice up your homemade pita chips. Best of all, you can make a small batch of baked pita chips just for you — or for two — when you’re craving a little something, or bake up a big batch for a crowd with a variety of dips and spreads.
Ingredients
No need to run all over town to find special ingredients to make baked pita bread chips. All you will need is a package of pita bread, some olive oil, and the seasonings of your choice. If you like them savory, try a little garlic, seasoned salt, tarragon or other herbs sprinkled on top before baking. For a sweet treat, substitute cinnamon and sugar for the herbs. More than likely, you already have everything you need in your pantry right now.
Fast and Easy
Preheat the oven to about 400 degrees, cut the bread into wedges with a sharp knife or pizza cutter, brush them with oil, place them in one layer on a baking sheet, season them up and throw them in the oven for about 10 minutes. What could be easier or faster? If your kids enjoy pita chips, take advantage of the extra pair of little hands and let them help sprinkle on the toppings. Make sure the pita bread is well oiled so that the chips won’t stick and the seasoning clings to the bread. Pita chip recipes generally suggest baking your chips in a hot oven for 7 to 15 minutes. Check them for crispness after the minimum time recommended in the recipe and keep a sharp eye on them to make sure they don’t burn.
Variety is the Spice of Life
For a lighter snack, slice the pita pockets in half so that you have two thinner round discs before brushing them with oil — or use an olive oil cooking spray — and then add your seasonings. If you prefer a heartier version, don’t slice them in half; cut the pita pockets into wedges without splitting them before baking. Or, try whole wheat or whole grain pita bread.
Watch Those Calories
If you’re watching your weight, baked pita chips can be a satisfying low calorie substitute for potato chips. Pita chips by themselves aren’t high in calories but if you’re using them as a delivery system for your favorite high-fat dip, you might be asking for trouble. While you’re scouring the web for ideas for seasoning up your chips, look for recipe modifications for your favorite dips. With the right seasonings, low-fat versions of sour cream or cream cheese can be just as scrumptious as the higher-fat varieties as a base for tasty dips. Look for tomato-based or vegetable dips to cut calories as well.
Related Video: How to Make Pita Chips with Brooke Burke – Let’s Cook with Modern Mom
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Further Reading:
All Recipes: Pita Chips
Food Network: Homemade Pita Chips
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