Description
Alevropita is a traditional Greek thin-batter feta pie characterized by its crispy golden crust and rich, tangy feta filling. This savory pie combines a light batter with crumbled Greek feta cheese, baked to perfection for a delightful appetizer or light meal.
Ingredients
Batter:
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, divided
- 1 1/2 cups (355 milliliters) milk
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) water
Filling and Toppings:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) Greek feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
- Greek extra-virgin olive oil for greasing pan and drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Grease a 15-inch (38-centimeter) round pan with butter and drizzle with a little olive oil to prevent sticking and add flavor. Place the pan in the oven for about 3 minutes until it’s hot and the olive oil is sizzling but not smoking.
- Mix Batter: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt, then add 1 whole egg and the milk, stirring to form a thick, smooth batter.
- Pour First Batter Layer and Add Feta: Pour approximately two-thirds of the batter into the heated pan, spreading it evenly over the entire bottom. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over this layer.
- Prepare and Add Second Batter Layer: Mix the remaining egg with the water and then stir this into the remaining one-third batter. Pour this mixture evenly over the feta layer; it won’t completely cover the cheese, leaving some visible.
- Add Butter and Olive Oil: Dot the top of the pie with small pieces of butter and drizzle additional olive oil evenly over the surface to enhance browning and flavor.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pan on the lower rack of the preheated oven. Bake for about 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking, until the pie is golden and has pulled away from the sides of the pan.
- Serve: Enjoy the Alevropita hot for a crisp texture or at room temperature for a softer bite.
Notes
- The pan must be hot before pouring the batter to achieve a crispy bottom crust.
- Use authentic Greek feta for the best flavor and texture.
- If you prefer a more uniformly covered cheese, you can spread more of the second batter mixture, but some feta peeking through is traditional.
- This pie can be served as a snack, appetizer, or light meal.
- Butter and olive oil contribute to the rich taste and golden color of the pie.