3 Creative Ways to Make Sfakian Pie: Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer

Name: Sfakian Pie
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 2 cups flour; 1/2 tsp salt; 3/4 cup lukewarm water; 1 lb Greek mizithra cheese, crumbled; 1/4 cup Greek honey; 1 tbsp cinnamon

Slow Cooker Sfakian Pie: Soft, Flavorful, and Effortless with Perfectly Moist Layers

To create a soft, flavorful Sfakian pie, layer the dough and filling in your slow cooker. Use the "Low" setting for 2-3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the pie to cook evenly without the need for constant attention. The slow cooker’s gentle heat ensures the pie's base stays moist while cooking through.

Instant Pot Sfakian Pie: Quick and Delicious with a Crispy Exterior and Tender Interior

Use the Instant Pot’s "Saute" function to briefly brown the dough and lock in flavor before adding your cheese and herbs. Once assembled, set the Instant Pot on "Steam" for 10 minutes for a perfectly cooked pie with a crisp exterior and soft interior—ideal for a quicker cooking time.

Air Fryer Sfakian Pie: Golden, Crispy, and Flaky with Minimal Effort

Shape your Sfakian pie into smaller individual portions and place them in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 7-10 minutes until golden and crisp. The air fryer’s circulation of hot air creates a flaky, perfectly crisp crust without the need for excess oil or a traditional oven.

Tips and Suggestions on Sfakian Pie

Dough consistency

Sfakian Pie is a traditional Greek dish made from a homemade dough filled with cheese and honey. The challenge with Sfakian Pie is achieving the ideal consistency of the dough. It should be pliable and easy to work with, but not too sticky or dry. Be sure to follow the recipe closely and adjust flour and water amounts as necessary.

Filling balance

Sfakian Pie has a balance of sweet and savory flavors, with a filling of cheese and drizzled honey. The challenge is in achieving the right balance of these flavors, where neither overpowers the other. Be sure to taste the filling as you make it and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Filling texture

Sfakian Pie filling should be different than a traditional pie and should have a more dense texture. Cheese should be grated into very fine pieces. Depending on the type of cheese you choose, you may need to combine it with other dairy products, such as yogurt and sour cream, to achieve the desired texture.

Cooking time

Sfakian Pie requires a longer cooking time than some other types of pie, due to the denser filling and thicker dough. The challenge is in finding the right balance of cooking time and heat intensity. Cooking too quickly or at too high a heat can brown the outside of the pie too much and leave the filling undercooked.

Serving suggestion

Sfakian Pie is often served as a sweet or savory main dish, depending on the filling. It pairs well with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of sea salt. The challenge in serving Sfakian Pie is finding the right balance of flavors between the pie and any accompaniments. Experimentation and tasting will help you find the perfect pairing for your Sfakian Pie.

Classic Sfakian Pie Recipe

                        Ingredients
                        2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup lukewarm water
1 lb Greek mizithra cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup Greek honey
1 tbsp cinnamon

                    

                        Instructions
                        In a large mixing bowl, add the flour and salt. Mix together.
Slowly pour in the water and knead the dough until it comes together and is smooth.
Form the dough into a ball and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Divide the dough into six equal pieces.
Roll each piece into a thin circle.
In a large saucepan, heat the crumbled mizithra cheese until melted.
Add a spoonful of the melted cheese onto one half of each circle, fold over, and press
                                the edges together to seal.
In a large skillet, cook the pies on both sides until lightly browned.
Serve hot drizzled with Greek honey and sprinkled with cinnamon.

                    

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 30 min

Cook Time 60 min

Total time 90 min

                        Nutrition Facts
                        Calories: 276
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 11 g
Protein: 8 g

                    

Regional Variations for Sfakian Pie

Lamb With Yogurt

This version is made with tender lamb marinated in Cretan spices, served with creamy yogurt for a rich and flavorful meal.

Sfakiano Lamb With Yogurt

Cretan Cheese Pie

This version is made with flaky pastry filled with creamy cheese, crunchy nuts, and drizzled with honey for a delightful dessert.

Sfakianopita | Cretan Cheese Pie With Nuts And Honey

Traditional Sfakian