How To Store Pita Bread (To Maximize Shelf Life)

The best way to store pita bread to maximize shelf life is to keep it in a room-temperature, dry space. If it is prepackaged pita bread, ensure the package is resealed properly. If stored correctly, pita bread usually lasts 5-7 days. 

The way you store your pita bread can have a significant impact on its shelf life. So, make sure to read on until the end if you want to learn how to keep your delicious pita fresher for longer.

How To Store Pita Bread?

Like all bread, pita bread loses quality quickly, so it’s best to use it as soon as possible. However, this isn’t always realistic, and sometimes you’ll have to store your pita bread if you aren’t able to eat it all right away. 

Unopened, prepackaged pita bread usually lasts until the expiration date you see on the package. If you open the package, you’ll only have a couple of days to use the bread before it starts going stale. 

To store pita bread, you have two options: you can store it at room temperature, or you can refrigerate it. However, it’s better to store it at room temperature because pita bread in the refrigerator tends to dry out quicker.    

I recommend keeping your pita bread in a bread box or paper bag at room temperature. The bread box and the paper bag both allow some airflow to get to the bread, which is helpful when the bread needs to get rid of moisture (and excess moisture causes mold growth) but can also make the pita dry out. 

Another option is to refrigerate your pita bread.

Do You Have To Refrigerate Pita Bread?

You don’t have to refrigerate pita bread. Refrigerating pita bread causes it to dry out quicker. If you decide to refrigerate your pita bread, you should keep it tightly sealed in a freezer bag. 

Many people keep bread in the refrigerator to prevent mold growth. However, refrigeration isn’t good for bread because the starch recrystallizes more quickly in cold temperatures, which causes the bread to become hard and stale. This is not the case at freezing temperatures, though, as freezing causes the recrystallization process to slow down.  

You can keep pita bread in a refrigerator if you’d like, though. Just keep in mind that it’ll only last three or four days. I recommend keeping the bread in a tightly sealed freezer bag, such as these freezer storage bags from Amazon. The gallon size of these bags is perfect for pita bread, and I like that the bags make a clicking sound when they are completely sealed, so you don’t accidentally leave them open.

To store pita bread in the refrigerator, place it inside the freezer bags, squeeze out any excess air, and then place the bags in your refrigerator for two or three days. 

How Do You Keep Pita Bread Soft?

To keep pita bread soft, ensure that you store it in a tightly sealed bag and avoid putting it in the refrigerator. You can also make pita bread softer by reheating it in the oven with some water. 

The best way to keep pita bread soft is to store it properly, which means using a high-quality bag with a tight seal and avoiding putting the pita in the refrigerator altogether, as the refrigerator hastens the recrystallization process. 

You can also make pita bread softer during the reheating process. Many people reheat pita bread over an open flame, which is an effective and efficient method. Still, this occasionally results in crispy edges that aren’t exactly the soft, pillowy texture you’re after. If your priority is softness, I recommend reheating pita bread in the oven. 

To do this, follow these steps: 

1. Sprinkle the pita with water and wrap it in aluminum foil. 
2. Place a baking tray with some water in it on the bottom rack in your oven. The water in this tray creates steam as it heats up, which rises to the bread and helps moisturize and soften it.
3. Place the aluminum-wrapped pita on a tray on the top rack.
4. Leave the pita bread in the oven for approximately five minutes, with the oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). 

How To Properly Use a Bread Box

Bread boxes are a great way to keep your pita bread as fresh as possible. To use a bread box, place the pita in the box without wrapping it in anything first, including a bag. It should just be the pita in the box.

Your box won’t be airtight, but you shouldn’t need to worry about this. Most boxes have holes or vents, or they’re made with breathable material that allows air to come in and out of the box. Keeping your bread in a box also helps ensure that it is kept at room temperature instead of being exposed to the chill of air conditioning.  

Recommended Bread Boxes for Storing Pita Bread 

If you’re a pita-lover without a bread box, it’s time to fix that! Bread boxes are the most effective way to keep your pita (and other kinds of bread) fresh for longer. 

Some recommended bread boxes for storing pita bread include the Klee Bamboo Wood Bread Box, the Creative Co-Op White Bread box, and the Oggi Stainless Steel bread Box.

My first recommendation is this bamboo wood breadbox from Amazon. I love the elegant look of this box and how it sits flat against the wall, and it is large enough to store multiple loaves of bread and additional baked goods. Furthermore, bamboo has better moisture absorption qualities than other materials, so this is a great choice for a high-quality bread box.

The lid on this box is a roll-top, which slides smoothly for the most part but can get sticky in more humid climates. The box comes fully assembled, so you don’t have to worry about putting it together before you start using it.  

For a different, more rustic look, I suggest this brand. The design of this box is perfect for a farmhouse-inspired kitchen because the white paint is distressed, which gives it a worn-in look. If you’re planning on storing lots of bread, this is a great option because it is larger and deeper than other boxes on the market. 

This box is made with high-quality aluminum that is durable and rust-resistant. The material is also extremely easy to clean; you only need to wash it by hand occasionally.  

I recommend this brand for a metal option. The steel is sleek and clean, so it elevates the look of any kitchen countertop. I also like that the plexiglass lid lets you see what’s inside without taking the lid off. Finally, if you’re worried about your bread box damaging the surface of your kitchen counter, this is a great choice for you because of the protective feet on the bottom. 

This box may look small, but it can accommodate multiple loaves of bread and additional baked goods, so you don’t have to worry about your pita bread taking up all the space inside.

Related How To Store Naan (To Keep It Soft And Fresh).

Alternative Bread Storage Options: Can I Use Bags?

You can use bags as an alternative bread storage option. However, you should always try to use paper bags, not plastic ones, as these encourage moisture, which can lead to mold growth. Your typical lunch bags should work well for the purpose. 

If you’re planning on eating your pita bread within a couple of days, you can keep it in a bag. However, you should always use paper bags, not plastic. Plastic bags keep air from getting to the bread, which prevents it from drying out too quickly. However, it encourages moisture, which is when mold starts to grow. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather have a pita that’s a little drier than a moldy pita! 

I recommend using these paper lunch bags. These bags are FDA-compliant, biodegradable, and recyclable, and I like the square bottom because it allows the bag to stand on its own. They’re also a great size for pita bread.

Does Pita Bread Freeze Well? 

Pita bread does freeze well, and freezing the bread allows you to keep it longer without it growing mold or drying out. You can freeze pita bread for up to three months. 

If you have a lot of pita bread that you can’t use immediately, I highly recommend freezing it. Keeping your pita bread in the freezer extends its life without risking it growing mold or drying out too quickly. 

Pita bread kept in a freezer for more than three months doesn’t necessarily go bad, but it will be staler than if you’d used it sooner. However, depending on what you pair the pita with, you may or may not notice. 

I don’t recommend eating pita bread that’s been in a freezer for longer than a year. At that point, the bread will likely be extremely dry and taste terrible, and even your best stuffing won’t be able to save it. 

How Do You Freeze Pita Bread? 

To freeze pita bread, place it in a freezer bag, squeeze out any excess air, then tightly seal the bag and wrap aluminum foil around it. Add a label with the date, so you know how long the bread’s been in the freezer. 

Freezing pita bread is easy, which is why I recommend it for anyone who wants to keep pita bread for longer than a week. All you need to do is place the bread in a freezer bag, such as the Hefty bags I recommended above, squeeze out any extra air from the bag, and seal tightly. 

I suggest wrapping the aluminum foil around the bag to prevent freezer burn. The aluminum foil gives your bread an extra layer of protection against the harsh freezer air. 

To thaw the bread, all you need to do is take it out of the freezer and let it sit at room temperature. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can also try reheating the bread in the oven or microwave or placing it in a hot pan. These methods cause the edges to harden, though, so if you’re craving a completely soft pita, I suggest giving the bread time to thaw at room temperature without the help of heat. Thawing shouldn’t take more than an hour. 

If you choose to use the oven, microwave, or pan, I suggest slightly wetting your bread beforehand with a spray bottle. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you should dampen your hands and give the bread a quick rub-down. The extra water helps prevent the bread from drying out during the reheating process. 

Whole-grain pita bread doesn’t freeze as well as refined pita bread. Therefore, if you prefer the nutritional benefits of eating whole grain, I suggest only buying as much pita as you can eat in a week and skipping the freezer. 

Here’s another tip: don’t place anything on top of the pita bread while it’s in the freezer. Not only does pressure from something on top of it harm the bread’s shape, but it also causes the bread to harden faster.  

How To Store Pita Bread Dough?

Pita bread dough freezes better than the bread itself, so another great option (if you’re making homemade pita) is to make the dough in bulk and freeze it, and only take out enough dough to make the amount of bread you need. 

To store pita bread dough, all you need to do is wrap the dough in plastic wrap and then place it in the refrigerator. If you wrap the dough tightly, it will last in the freezer for up to a year. After that, any bread you bake with the dough won’t taste as good. 

I like this common plastic food wrap. This wrap has an airtight seal and moisture block technology, so your dough will stay good for longer. Additionally, the wrap is stretchy enough to accommodate various volumes.  

Final Thoughts 

Pita bread is so delicious that you may always want to have some ready at home. However, it can grow mold or dry out quickly, so it is important to store it properly. You can keep pita bread in a dry, room-temperature place in a bread box, paper bag, or refrigerator in a freezer bag. Alternatively, you can also freeze it for up to a year.

For more, don’t miss 10 Ways To Prolong The Shelf Life Of Cookies.