Description
This Veggie Pita Bread Pizza recipe offers a quick and healthy twist on traditional pizza, using whole wheat pita as a convenient base topped with marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, and a variety of fresh vegetables. Perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner or a crispy snack, it combines vibrant flavors and textures baked to golden perfection in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pita and Sauce
- 4 whole wheat or white pita breads (or any preferred variety)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or dairy-free cheese if preferred)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Vegetables and Toppings
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup spinach or arugula (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Pita Bases: Place the pita breads on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides of each pita with olive oil to enhance crispiness and add flavor.
- Add the Sauce and Cheese: Evenly spread about 1-2 tablespoons of marinara sauce on each pita bread, leaving a small border around the edges. Then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce on each pita.
- Top with Veggies: Layer the sliced red onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, black olives if using, and spinach or arugula on top of the cheese for a colorful and nutritious topping.
- Season: Sprinkle the pizzas with dried oregano and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. Add salt and pepper to taste to balance the flavors.
- Bake the Pizzas: Place the pita pizzas in the preheated oven and bake for about 8-12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pita is golden brown and crispy on the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizzas from the oven and sprinkle fresh chopped basil and optional grated Parmesan cheese on top to add a fresh and savory finish.
- Slice and Serve: Slice the pita pizzas into wedges and serve hot for the best taste experience.
Notes
- You can substitute whole wheat pita with gluten-free pita to make this gluten-free.
- Use dairy-free cheese to make the pizza vegan or dairy-free friendly.
- Customize the vegetable toppings based on your preference or seasonal availability.
- Olive oil brushing helps achieve a crispier crust but can be omitted to reduce fat content.
- Leftover pita pizzas can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven for best texture.
