Name: Easy Peinirli – Greek Pizza Boats
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade); 2 tablespoons butter (melted, for brushing); 1 1/2 cups shredded melting cheese (such as kasseri, mozzarella, gruyère, or cheddar); 2–3 tablespoons cream cheese or soft cheese (optional, for creaminess); 1/2 cup toppings of choice (e.g. cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, onions); 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing or brushing crust); Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Optional: chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano) for garnish

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The cheesy center melts delightfully in the boat shape, creating a satisfying contrast of textures.
Very versatile: you can go classic with cheese, or load up with bacon, mushrooms, vegetables or anything you like.
Great for sharing or for letting everyone make their own version.
It can be made relatively quickly, especially if you use pre‑made dough, yet still feels homemade and special.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

pizza dough (homemade or store‑bought)
butter (for richness and brushing crust)
cheese(s) for melting (such as kasseri, mozzarella, gruyère, cheddar, or a mix)
cream cheese or soft cheese (optional, to add creaminess)
toppings (choices may include bacon, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, green pepper, onions, etc.)
olive oil (for sautéing toppings or brushing crust)
salt & freshly ground black pepper
fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano), optional

Directions

Preheat the oven & prepare toppings
Preheat your oven to about 200‑205 °C (≈400‑410 °F). If using toppings that benefit from a little saute (mushrooms, peppers, bacon), cook them lightly first so they aren’t raw in the final bake.
Roll out the dough
Divide the dough into portions (for example 3‑6 boats depending on size). On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into an oval or elongated circle—thin in the middle, a little thicker at the edges.
Add cheese & fillings
In each dough oval, spread your melting cheese(s). If using cream or soft cheese, mix it with the grated harder cheese. Add the pre‑cooked toppings (bacon, mushrooms, peppers…) over the cheese layer.
Shape the boat
Fold the long sides inward toward the center, pinching ends so that the dough forms a “boat” shape with raised edges. The edge helps contain the cheese and toppings and gives the distinct look.
Brush and finish
Brush the raised dough edges (crust) with melted butter (or brush with olive oil) for a golden, rich crust. Season with a little salt or herbs if desired.
Bake
Place on a baking sheet (parchment‑lined if possible). Bake for about 15‑20 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbling. If using larger or thicker boats, cooking time might be a bit longer.
Serve & enjoy
Remove from oven, allow to cool a couple of minutes so filling isn’t too molten, then serve hot. Garnish with herbs or cracked pepper if you like.

Servings and timing

Servings: About 3‑6 boats‑‑depending on how many you make and how large each is; can serve about 4‑6 people if each has one.
Prep time: ~15‑20 minutes (rolling, prepping and partly cooking toppings)
Bake time: ~15‑20 minutes
Total time: ~35‑45 minutes

Variations

Use different cheeses: kasseri is traditional in many Greek versions; mix mozzarella + cheddar + gruyère for melt + flavor.
Make vegetarian versions: mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, roasted vegetables.
Add an egg: crack a raw egg on top partway through baking so it sets.
Add spicy kick: chili flakes, spicy sausage or pepperoni.
Use flavored crusts: brush edges with garlic butter or sprinkle with za’atar or oregano.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Once cooled, wrap in foil or place in airtight container in refrigerator. Good for 2‑3 days.
Freezing: You can freeze baked boats—wrap well. Also possible to freeze unbaked shapes and bake later.
Reheating: Oven works best to crisp crust and re‑melt cheese; reheat at about 180‑200 °C until warm. Microwaving makes it soft but can work if in a rush.

FAQs

What cheese works best in peinirli?

Soft, meltable cheeses like mozzarella, kasseri, gruyère are excellent. Mixing in a bit of cream cheese or soft cheese adds creaminess. Using only very firm cheeses will reduce the gooey texture.

Do I need to pre‑cook the toppings like mushrooms or bacon?

Yes for many toppings. Mushrooms release water, bacon needs crisping. Pre‑cooking helps avoid soggy peinirli and ensures all flavors cook through.

Can I use frozen or store bought dough?

Absolutely. Store bought or frozen pizza dough saves time. Just make sure it’s thawed and rested before shaping, and that you adjust bake time as needed.

How thick should the dough be?

Roll it out to medium thin—thin enough to bake through and crisp somewhat, but not so thin it tears or can’t hold filling. Edges should be a bit thicker so they puff up and hold shape.

Why do the edges sometimes collapse or filling leaks out?

Make sure you pinch and seal the ends well. Also don’t overload with filling near the edges; leave enough dough margin. Baking on a rimmed tray or with parchment helps.

Can I make peinirli with no meat?

Yes, vegetarian versions are very common. Mushrooms, roasted peppers, spinach, olives etc work beautifully.

Is peinirli traditionally sauced with tomato sauce?

In many traditional recipes, there is no tomato sauce. It’s often cheese‑centric. However, modern or fusion versions sometimes add tomato or tomato‑based toppings. It depends on preference.

Can I make these boats ahead of time?

You can prepare the dough ahead and refrigerate. Also shape them and keep them ready (covered) and bake when needed. Freezing unbaked boats is an option too.

What should I serve with peinirli?

A Greek salad (tomato, cucumber, olives, feta), tzatziki, lemony roasted potatoes, or a simple soup complement peinirli nicely. A side of pickled vegetables adds contrast.

Conclusion

Easy Peinirli – Greek Pizza Boats are a fun, delicious, and adaptable recipe that gives you all the joy of pizza in a more rustic, cheesy package. Whether you keep things simple or load up with toppings, these boats are sure to please. A great recipe to make for family meals, parties, or when you want something comforting and satisfying.