Mini Pita Bread Pizza

Here is my go-to pita bread pizza recipe, with crispy pita as the base, tangy pizza sauce, melted cheese, and whatever toppings you have hanging around in your fridge.

This pita bread pizza is a weeknight lifesaver in our house when I need dinner on the table fast. The kids love making their own personal pizzas, and I love that it takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Plus, cleanup is so much easier than regular pizza night!

What Kind of Pita Bread Should I Use?

For pita bread pizza, you’ll want to grab either regular or whole wheat pita bread from the bakery section – both work great as your pizza base. Look for pitas that are about 6 inches in diameter and not too thick, as thinner ones will get nicely crispy in the oven without becoming too chewy. If your pitas seem a bit soft or fresh, you can lightly toast them for a minute or two before adding toppings to help prevent them from getting soggy. Pocket pitas work just fine, but you can also use the flat pita rounds if that’s what you have on hand.

Options for Substitutions

This simple pita pizza is super forgiving when it comes to swaps – here’s what you can change up:

• Pita bread: If you can’t find pita bread, naan, flatbread, or even English muffins work great as your pizza base. Just adjust cooking time since thicker breads might need a few extra minutes.
• Tomato sauce: Pizza sauce, marinara, or even pesto make good alternatives. You can also mash up canned tomatoes with a bit of salt and Italian seasoning if that’s what you have on hand.
• Fresh mozzarella: Regular shredded mozzarella works perfectly fine here. You could also try goat cheese, feta, or ricotta for a different flavor profile.
• Fresh basil: Dried basil works in a pinch – just use about 1/4 cup instead. Fresh oregano, parsley, or even spinach leaves can add that fresh green element too.
• Lettuce: Arugula, spinach, or mixed greens all work well here. You can also skip the greens entirely and add more tomatoes or other toppings you prefer.
• Fresh tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or even roasted red peppers can replace the fresh tomatoes. Just make sure to pat them dry so your pizza doesn’t get soggy.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake people make with pita bread pizza is not pre-toasting the pita for 2-3 minutes before adding toppings, which leads to a soggy base that can’t support your ingredients.

Another common error is overloading the pita with sauce – since pita bread is thin, too much tomato sauce will make it mushy, so stick to a light, even layer using about 1-2 tablespoons per pita.

Don’t add fresh lettuce and basil before baking, as these greens will wilt and become bitter in the oven – instead, add them as fresh toppings right after the pizza comes out while it’s still warm.

Finally, tear your mozzarella into small pieces rather than slicing it thick, which helps it melt evenly and prevents the cheese from sliding off your crispy pita base.

What to Serve With Pita Bread Pizza?

Pita bread pizza is perfect as a light lunch or dinner, and I love serving it with a simple side salad to round out the meal. A mixed greens salad with cucumber, red onion, and a light vinaigrette pairs really well with the fresh flavors of the basil and tomatoes on the pizza. You could also go with some roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers, or even a bowl of soup if you want something more filling. For a fun appetizer spread, these pita pizzas work great alongside hummus, olives, and some fresh vegetables for dipping.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: Leftover pita bread pizzas can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Just keep in mind that the lettuce will wilt a bit, so you might want to remove any fresh greens before storing and add them back when you’re ready to eat.

Freeze: You can freeze these pizzas for up to 1 month, but I’d recommend doing it before adding the lettuce and fresh basil. Wrap each pizza individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover pita pizzas, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 5-8 minutes until the cheese melts again. You can also use a toaster oven if you’re just heating one or two. Add fresh lettuce and basil after heating for the best taste and texture.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	5-7 minutes
Total Time	15-22 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 990-1150
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 30-38 g
• Carbohydrates: 140-160 g

Ingredients

For the pita base:

• 6 oz tomato sauce (I use Muir Glen for rich flavor)
• 4 pita bread

For the toppings:

• 6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced thin for even melting)
• 2 small tomatoes (cut into 1/4-inch slices)
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil (freshly chopped for best aroma)
• 1 cup shredded lettuce

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C).

This will ensure it’s hot and ready to melt the cheese and crisp up the pita when you’re ready to bake.

Step 2: Prepare the Toppings

• 2 small tomatoes
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese

Slice the two small tomatoes and shred the fresh mozzarella cheese if not already prepared.

Chop the fresh basil if it’s not pre-chopped.

I like to cut the tomatoes into thin slices so they evenly cover the pita.

Step 3: Assemble the Pita Pizzas

• 4 pieces pita bread
• 6 oz tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• sliced tomatoes from Step 2
• chopped fresh basil from Step 2
• fresh mozzarella cheese from Step 2

Place the pita breads on a baking sheet lined with foil.

Evenly spread the tomato sauce onto each pita bread.

Top each with the shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes from Step 2, chopped basil from Step 2, and shredded mozzarella cheese from Step 2.

Make sure the toppings are well distributed for a delicious bite in every piece.

Step 4: Bake the Pitas

Place the assembled pita pizzas into the preheated oven.

Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

I like to keep an eye on them toward the end to make sure the pitas stay soft and the cheese gets perfectly gooey.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the pita pizzas from the oven and let them cool for a minute or two.

Slice, serve, and enjoy your easy and fresh pita pizzas!