Crispy Fried Cheese Pockets
Delightful golden fried pastries filled with a savory blend of melted cheeses, inspired by the traditional pitarakia of Milos.
- Prep25 min
- Cook15 min
- Total40 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Servings4
These little cheese pies, known as pitarakia, hail from the Cycladic island of Milos and are a true taste of Greek tradition. They feature a delicate, crispy fried exterior encasing a wonderfully gooey and flavorful cheese filling.
This recipe offers a straightforward method to recreate these beloved appetizers at home, perfect for sharing at gatherings or enjoying as a satisfying snack.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, olive oil, vinegar, and salt. Make a well in the center.
- Gradually add the lukewarm water to the flour mixture, mixing and kneading by hand until a soft, smooth dough forms. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour. Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rest for 20-30 minutes.
- While the dough rests, make the filling: Grate the cheeses and mix them together. Stir in the chopped fresh mint, if using.
- Roll out the rested dough on a lightly floured surface to about 0.2cm thickness. Use a round cutter (about 12 cm diameter) to cut out circles of dough.
- Place a spoonful of the cheese filling onto the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, pressing the edges firmly to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative finish.
- Heat a generous amount of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully fry the cheese pies, a few at a time, until golden brown on both sides. Turn them gently to ensure even cooking.
- Remove the fried pies using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve the pitarakia warm and enjoy their crispy texture and cheesy filling.
💡 Tips
- For a traditional Milos flavor, you can substitute some of the cheese with a hard, salty Greek cheese like graviera or kefalotyri.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying; if it's too cool, the pies will absorb too much oil and become greasy.
Inspired by a recipe from My Greek Dish