Traditional Fried Cheese Pies

Traditional Fried Cheese Pies

If you have visited Greece, you have probably had the chance to taste the traditional fried cheese pies, "Tyropitaria". This is an amazing recipe from the beautiful island of Evia and is a must when it comes to Greek cuisine, tradition and pies! Whether enjoyed as a snack, appetizer or part of a larger meal, these cheesy delights are a testament to the warmth and hospitality for which Greek culture is known. Let's make some "tyropitaria"...

DIFFICULTY LEVEL
Medium
FRYING TIME
Aprox. 6 - 8 min each
QUANTITY
10 large tyropitaria

Ingredients

For the dough:

  • 500 gr all - purpose flour
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 230 - 240 g lukewarm water

For the filling:

  • 400 g crumbled feta cheese (use a fork)
  • 100 g cream cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • Pepper
  • Chopped mint

  • Olive oil or seed oil for frying
  • Honey and sesame seeds for serving


How to

  1. In a bowl add the flour, the olive oil, the vinegar, the salt and the water and knead until the dough is soft and not sticky.
  2. Let the dough rest for about an hour.
  3. In a bowl add the crumbled feta cheese, the cream cheese, the eggs, the chopped mint and pepper and mix until incorporated.
  4. Cut the dough in 10 equal pieces.
  5. Dust your working surface and roll out each piece of dough until it's quite thin (not extremely thin).
  6. Add the filling. You can make round shape sheets and close them in half circle (press the ending with a spoon) or rectangle shape sheets, fold over like an envelope, stick the edges with water and roll out gently.
  7. In a deep pan, fry the pies over medium heat for about 3 - 4 min on each side until golden.
  8. Place them on paper towel. Before serving drizzle with honey and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Note from Greek jar:

We usually enjoy them when they are warm, but they are just as delicious when they are cold!