Greek Cheese and Flour Pie: crispy, soft, hearty, and severely cheesy. In all seriousness, it is the easiest and most delicious pie you can make with minimum time and effort. Promise.
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Why this recipe works
Pies are a beloved staple in Greek Mediterranean cuisine, varying widely in style and flavor. Among them, phyllo pies stand out with their delicate, flaky layers, encasing savory or sweet fillings.
On the other hand, flat pies, often called "lazy housewife pie," are simpler, with a single-layer crust that's easy to prepare yet equally delicious. This recipe is a flat pie and is so easy to make that even a young child would have a blast.
Let's find out below more reasons to make this amazing pie:
Simple ingredients: it requires basic pantry staples like cheese, flour, eggs, and herbs. You will probably find all the ingredients in your pantry right now.
Quick preparation: minimal prep time, perfect for busy days.
All-day meal: its rich, savory flavors and satisfying texture make this pie perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. Not to mention an amazing potluck and picnic treat.
Versatile: it can be customized with various cheeses and herbs.
Delicious flavor: it combines cheese's rich, savory taste and a satisfying, crisp crust.
Traditional appeal: it offers a taste of authentic Greek Mediterranean cuisine in a straightforward recipe.
Economical: budget-friendly and a great way to use up leftover ingredients.
The recipe's history
Not interested in Greek food history? No problem! Jump to Recipe
Greek pies, or "pites," have a rich culinary history dating back to ancient times. The first known Greek pies were called "placenta" and "plakous," which were variations of layered cheese and honey pies referenced in texts from ancient Greece.
These early pies were made using simple ingredients like barley dough, cheese, and honey, baked on hot stones. Over the centuries, these recipes evolved, incorporating phyllo dough during the Byzantine era and developing into the diverse array of pies enjoyed today.
These ancient origins highlight the deep-rooted tradition of pie-making in Greek culture, demonstrating how these culinary practices have been refined and cherished through the ages.
From the iconic spanakopita (spinach pie) to sweet galaktoboureko (custard pie) Greek pies showcase a blend of flavors and techniques passed down through generations.
Key ingredients
This recipe is an elaborated version of the Flat Flour Pie called alevropita. Keep the basic recipe and just add mint, green onions, and cream cheese. I am so glad I made it. It is so good.
See below the simplest of ingredients:
All-purpose flour, eggs, feta cheese, milk, cream cheese, kasseri cheese (or mozzarella, or provolone), butter or olive oil.
Finally, you will need spring onions, mint, and allspice.
Cheese and flour pie: the recipe
Mix dairy products, eggs, flour, mint, and green onions in a baking pan and place in the oven for about 40 minutes. See? In just half an hour (preparation and most of the baking time) your house smells heavenly.
If your windows are opened, your neighbors will surely look for the source of this divine smell, sniffing all around. Hurry up, people, close the windows! This Mediterranean Greek pie is yours and yours only.
Just kidding! Share, my friends! Give happiness, and make relationships by providing homemade, real food. When I make this pie, I give extra pieces to my son’s and husband’s lunch boxes to share with their friends and colleagues. I so love to hear all those nice comments and share the recipe, if asked!
Expert tips
This is a no-fail recipe BUT if you follow these tips, you will take it to another level. As always your ingredients should be fresh and of the best quality, you may find.
Feta cheese: I prefer a hard and extra spicy feta cheese because spicy feta cheese… well, it just spices things up, for sure. Don't go for feta crumbles. They are typically more processed, which can affect the texture and flavor. The crumbling process can lead to a drier, less creamy product.
The baking pan: I propose to use a thin rectangular or round baking pan because the heat is perfectly conducted and gives a crispier pie. I used a 14-inch (36 cm) round baking pan which is the ideal size for the number of ingredients mentioned.
No matter the pan, keep in mind that this is a flat pie and should be thin, meaning no more than 0.5 inch (1.5 cm) thick. That's how it will be cooked through and remain crispy at the edges and slightly soft in the middle.
Make sure that your oiled and/or buttered baking pan is super (extra) hot when you pour in the batter. It will give extra crispiness.
How to serve Greek cheese and four pie
All day long... Hot, cold or at room temperature!
Make it for breakfast, or dinner with a nice salad, snack, or lunch box, for your picnic, or road trip. It covers all the bases and it will never disappoint you.
I particularly enjoy it with a glass of cold white wine like Assyrtico.
How to store and freeze
Storage: Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess. Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze: Make sure the pie is fully cooled to room temperature.
Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil to protect it from freezer burn. Alternatively, place it in a heavy-duty freezer bag or an airtight food container.
Label the package with the date to keep track of storage time. Place the wrapped pie in the freezer. It can be stored for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating: For best results, thaw the pie overnight in the refrigerator.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pie on a baking sheet and cover it with parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent the top from over-browning. Heat for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the paper/foil in the last 5-10 minutes for a crispier crust.
I wouldn't recomment the microwave because it might be soggy.
More savory Greek pies
In Greek cuisine, the possibilities for pie ingredients are endless. If something is edible, it can go into a pie. That's why pies are a significant part of traditional Greek cooking. Discover more Greek savory pie recipes below.
- Savory Pumpkin Pie
- Honey Pancakes Stuffed with Cheese
- Greek Zucchini Pie (Kolokithopita)
- Greek Spinach Pie (Spanakopita)
- Hand Pies with Feta Cheese
- Greek Flat Flour Pie
If you make my recipe, you have to let me know! I absolutely love your feedback. This is a huge motivation for me and keeps 30daysofgreekfood’s kitchen alive. Bookmark this recipe and leave your rate and comment below, or take a photo with your Greek Cheese and Flour Pie and tag me on Instagram with #30daysofgreekfood and Facebook with @30daysofgreekfood.
Recipe
Greek Cheese and Flour Pie
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- 3 cups feta cheese, crumbled
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup kasseri cheese or provolone or mozzarella, shredded
- 3 eggs, whisked
- 3 spring onions, chopped
- ⅔ cup fresh mint, chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- Butter or olive oil, optional
- A pinch of salt
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 482°F (250°C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 14-inch round (36 cm) baking pan.*
- In a big bowl, add all the ingredients except for the flour. Sift the flour to avoid any lumps and stir it in the batter. It will be smooth and runny.
- Place the greased pan in the preheated oven and leave for a couple of minutes until it is hot enough. Carefully remove the baking pan from the oven and immediately pour in the batter.
- Top with butter or/and drizzle extra-virgin olive oil (optional).
- Reduce heat to 392°F (200°C). Place on the lower oven rack and bake for about 40-45 minutes. It is ready when the sides of the pie pull away from the pan and the surface is golden brown.
- Serve hot, cold, or at room temperature.
Watchers says
This trend in Greek diet continued in Roman and Ottoman times and changed only fairly recently when technological progress has made meat more available. Wine and olive oil have always been a central part of it and the spread of grapes and olive trees in the Mediterranean and further afield is correlated with Greek colonization.
Sylia says
Thank you for your comment!
Karen says
This is so easy and delicious! I cut it down by 1/3 and baked in a 9 x 13 inch glass pan - we LOVED it.
Sylia says
I am so thrilled you liked it! I would be grateful if you give your rate. Thank you for your kind comment.
Nancy Vallely says
Can u use filo dough?
Sylia says
Hello Nancy! Of course, you can. Layer 6 phyllo sheets at the bottom of your baking dish and make sure you brush them with olive oil. Pour the flour-cheese mixture into the baking dish over the phyllo. Turn in the overhanging edges to form a ring. You are good to go! Hope you like it!
xxx
Sylia
natasha says
my favourite pie
Sylia says
Thank you so much. You made my day! 🙂
Jane says
Loved it, easy to make and tastefull!
Sylia says
Dear Jane, thank you so much for making my recipe. I am honored and excited that you liked it.
xxx
Sylia
Esther S says
My grandmother emigrated from Ioannina at the turn of the 20th century and my parents generation was raised on something similar and I think you finally helped me make the connection. It was a very similar batter --those cheeses were not available so she used a fresh farmer cheese, a hard grated cheese -- and instead of being baked it was fried. It was on my family table until my aunt passed about 10 years ago..By chance would this resemble something else? I should point out that my family is Greek Jewish (I know a rarity)
Ioannina
Sylia says
Hello Esther! So glad you stopped by. I did research on Greek sites specializing in traditional Jewish-Greek cuisine but I wasn't lucky. Are you sure it was a fried no-phyllo pie? Maybe it was fried bread stuffed with cheeses? Maybe if you give me some more info I could try to replicate it. So pity delicious, traditional recipes to get lost in time.
xxx
Sylia