Description
Peinirli are boat-shaped Greek pizzas filled with gooey cheese and savory toppings. With a crisp crust and fluffy interior, they’re rustic, satisfying, and easy to customize for a fun meal or snack.
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400–410 °F (200–205 °C). Prepare any toppings that need pre-cooking, such as sautéing mushrooms or crisping bacon.
- Divide pizza dough into 3–6 equal portions depending on desired size. Roll each portion on a lightly floured surface into an oval or elongated shape, slightly thicker at the edges.
- Spread cheese mixture (shredded + soft cheese if using) in the center of each oval, leaving a border. Add toppings over the cheese.
- Fold the long sides inward toward the center and pinch the two ends to create a boat shape with raised edges to hold the filling.
- Brush the edges with melted butter or olive oil. Optionally season with salt or herbs.
- Place boats on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven, cool slightly, and garnish with fresh herbs or cracked pepper. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use a mix of cheeses for optimal melt and flavor—mozzarella + cheddar + gruyère is a popular combo.
- Don’t overload the center or edges; leave space to avoid spills or collapsed sides.
- Add a raw egg halfway through baking if you’d like a traditional twist.
- Brush crust with garlic butter or olive oil for enhanced flavor.
- Pre-cook toppings like bacon or mushrooms to avoid soggy results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 peinirli (based on 6 boats)
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
