Vegans have made a lifestyle choice to avoid eating or using animal products. Bread is a staple food in many people’s diets; some prefer pita bread. However, people opting to go vegan often ask: Is pita bread vegan?
Let’s look at the ingredients used in pita bread and what you must heed when choosing your flatbread.
Is Pita Bread Vegan?
Pita bread is a favorite in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Their round shape makes them great to serve as a wrap, and some pittas open into a pocket for serving various ingredients conveniently.
Depending on their country of origin, these flatbreads are also known as pita or pitta. Some pita breads are vegan, while others aren’t, depending on the recipe. The basic ingredients for making pita bread are flour, yeast, salt, and water. Therefore, if your favorite pita bread contains these ingredients, it’s vegan.
Creating the pockets in pita bread does not require any additional ingredients. These are baked at a higher temperature, allowing the steam to create the pocket as they bake.
However, when buying commercially made pita bread, you must read the ingredient list on the packaging. Some pita breads contain oils and emulsifiers. If they contain plant-based oils and emulsifiers, then it’s okay, but some of these may also come from animal sources.
Milk, eggs, and honey are sometimes included in pita bread. Treehugger provides the answer to why some bakers add these ingredients. They are added to enhance the texture and flavor of the flatbread but are not vegan.
When eating out, some menus will state if their pita bread is vegan on the menu. Suppose they don’t ask your server to provide the ingredients. Always ensure that food containing pita bread does not include other non-vegan ingredients like bacon, cheese, or dairy sauces.
Which Pita Bread Brands are Vegan?
You will know if your pita bread is vegan by checking the package for its ingredients or a displayed vegan label. The following flatbreads are all vegan:
- Joseph’s Original Pita Bread
- Manna Organics
- La Tortilla Factory
- Mission Corn Tortillas
- Papa Pita Greek Pita Flatbread
- Nature’s Own
- Rudi’s Organic
- Aldi
- Engine 2
- Thomas Bagel
- Trader Joe’s
- Whole Foods 365
Which Pita Breads are non-Vegan?
Some pita breads give away their non-vegan status by the ingredients included in their name. These include the following:
- Breadsmith Honey Wheat Pita
- Kronos Frozen Honey Wheat Deli Style Flat Pita
- Kangaroo Whole Wheat with Honey Pita Pockets
Others don’t provide the origin of their ingredients, especially sugar. Always check the packaging to ensure the additives to your pita bread agree with your vegan lifestyle:
- Sam’s Choice Greek Pita Whole Wheat (contains sugar of unknown origin)
- Sam’s Choice White Greek-Style Pita (contains cane sugar of unknown origin)
Is Pita Bread and Naan the Same?
Both are flatbreads, but traditionally naan bread contains dairy or egg to ensure a thicker dough. You can make a vegan version of naan by replacing the yogurt or egg with vegan substitutes.
Therefore both naan and pita bread have vegan and non-vegan versions.
Common Types of Pita Bread
Pita bread comes in several varieties, depending on the flour used.
The most common varieties include:
White Pita Bread – White flour creates pita bread with a light, fluffy texture. White pita bread is the most traditional and popular of all flatbreads.
Whole Wheat Pita Bread – Some people prefer the healthier alternative of whole pita bread made with whole wheat flour. This type of pita bread has more fiber and nutrients since the flour used still has the bran and wheat germ contained in the wheat kernel. The texture of whole wheat pita bread is a bit denser than white pita and has a nuttier flavor.
Multigrain Pita Bread – Different grains in this pita bread give it a more complex flavor and add extra nutritional value. Therefore, you can expect a multigrain pita bread to include wheat, oats, barley, flaxseeds, etc.
Gluten-Free Pita Bread – Gluten-free pita bread contains gluten-free flour like rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour. These pita breads may have a slightly different texture, but they are ideal for anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Tips for Choosing Vegan Pita Bread
When shopping for vegan pita bread, the following tips will help you make an informed decision:
· Check the ingredients list. Make sure all the ingredients are plant-based and of vegan origin.
· Choose a certified vegan label or product if available.
· Look out for honey, dairy, eggs, or animal fats in the ingredient list as these are not considered vegan.
· Consult your local bakery to ensure their flatbreads are 100% vegan.
By understanding what goes into making pita bread and being aware of its various types and possible non-vegan ingredients, you can decide which vegan dish to enjoy. If you’re still unsure, your best bet is to make your own delicious vegan flatbread at home!
Make Your Own Pita Bread
Making pita bread at home is effortless, and you can add some of your favorite seeds to give them an extra bite and fiber. Adding garlic and turmeric can make your pita breads more flavorsome. Add cinnamon, chopped currents, or orange zest if you prefer a sweeter pita bread.
Follow this easy recipe for pita bread from World of Vegan. If you make more pita bread than you can finish in one sitting, remember that these have no preservatives like those you buy in stores.
They will keep for two days in your bread box and for up to one month if you freeze them. Don’t refrigerate leftover pitas because they dry out.
Enjoying Pita Bread on a Vegan Diet
Like all bread, pita bread is a good source of carbohydrates. It also contains essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and magnesium. These thin flatbreads are lower in calories and fat than regular bread.
However, whether pita bread is healthier than other bread depends on the type of pita you prefer, how much you eat, and what foods you choose to accompany your flatbread.
Incorporate pita bread into your vegan diet by creating delicious sandwiches, wraps, salads, pita pizzas, and desserts.
You can also create pita chips from your stale pita. Cut the stale pita bread into strips or triangles, drizzle with oil and seasoning, and bake until crispy and golden. Serve the pita chips with dips like hummus, olive paste, guacamole, or baba ganoush.
Final Take
Is pita bread vegan? They mostly contain flour, yeast, salt, and water; some recipes may include olive oil. Therefore, pita bread using these ingredients is vegan. However, unless you’re baking the pita bread yourself, check for the components by reading the packaging to ensure it contains no animal-derived products. Once you have chosen your favorite little pockets of bread, enjoy them as edible storage for a range of your favorite ingredients or turn them into a simple sandwich or wrap.
FAQs
Is Pita Bread Vegan?
Yes, many types of pita bread are vegan as they contain only plant-based ingredients such as flour, yeast, salt, and water. However, checking the packaging for animal-derived ingredients is recommended before purchasing the product.
Which Pita Breads Are Non-Vegan?
Some pita breads give away their non-vegan status by the ingredients included in their name. Examples include Breadsmith Honey Wheat Pita, Kronos Frozen Honey Wheat Deli Style Flat Pita, or Kangaroo Whole Wheat with Honey Pita Pockets. Additionally, some brands may use sugar of unknown origin, which should be checked through the packaging.
Is Naan Bread Vegan?
Naan bread is not traditionally vegan as it contains dairy or eggs in its dough. However, you can make a vegan version of naan by replacing the yogurt or egg with vegan substitutes.
Image Courtesy: DepositPhotos
