Kataifi Tyropita

When I was in Greece this summer, I filmed this recipe for Kataifi Tyropita in my kitchen. It’s a Greek crispy cheese pie with honey drizzle that is very popular in our area. This summer I ordered it a lot at restaurants. I’ve never made it home before, which was one of the reasons I wanted to film my first try. I think it’s always important to remind you that I’m always learning recipes and I’ll probably never master every Greek dish because there are so many. But I will try! 

This recipe has all the classic elements of a Greek dessert. It begins with Kataifi, which is a shredded phyllo dough, that’s drizzled with lots of melted butter so it crisps up in the oven. The filling is a mixture of soft cheese, which are seasoned nicely with a pinch of warm spices. Even though I didn’t have nutmeg in Greece, I wrote it into the recipe for you! 

The filling is rolled into small bundles and placed in a baking dish before being placed in the oven. Once it’s out it is cooled to room temperature before being drizzled with a warm honey glaze. I will say, when these came out of the oven we were thrilled. They tasted exactly like the ones we’ve enjoyed in local restaurants.

We’ll continue to order then when we are in Greece, but now I can make the Kataifi Tyropita at home, too! 

Kataifi Tyropita  

This is a delicious, traditional Greek dessert. I loved filming this for you in Greece! 

Ingredients 

For the cheese filling: 

• 300g (10.5 oz) feta cheese, crumbled 

• 150g (5 oz) ricotta cheese (or anthotyro) 

• 1 egg, lightly beaten 

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 

• Pinch of nutmeg (optional) 

For the kataifi: 

• 250g (8.8 oz) kataifi pastry (shredded phyllo) 

• 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted 

• Optional: Mix butter with 2 tbsp olive oil for extra flavor 

For topping: 

• 2–3 tbsp white or black sesame seeds (or a mix) 

• 3–4 tbsp Greek honey, warmed for drizzling 

Instructions:  

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

2. Gently loosen the kataifi dough with your fingers, untangling and fluffing and strands and cover it with a slightly damp towel to keep it from drying out.  

3. To make the cheese filling, combine the feta and ricotta cheese in a bowl. Use a fork or whisk to beat in the egg, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix until well combined! 

4. Assemble the dessert by taking a small handful of Kataifi and spreading it out into a strip and drizzle it with melted butter.  

5. Place a scoop of the cheese filling on one end of the kataifi and roll it up tightly. Place it in a round or rectangular baking dish with the ends facing down. Drizzle more melted butter on top. 

6. Once all of the rolls have been made place in the oven for about 45 minutes until golden brown and baked through. 

7. Allow them to cool to room temperature and then drizzle with them with warm honey and sprinkle the tops with sesame seeds. 

Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT.. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekascollective.com or call 203.658.8659.