Our Greek cheese pie-tiropita recipe is so easy and delicious. It has few ingredients like phyllo sheets, Greek feta cheese, and graviera, and it is guaranteed to be a hit with your family and guests.

If you love our Greek Cheese Pie, you will also love this Spanakopita-Spinach PieZucchini and Potato Pie or Savory Greens Pie!

A plate with two pieces of cheese pie, some cloth napkins, plates and utensils in the back.

Why this recipe sings

  • Tiropita is the most popular savory pie in Greece.ย Every bakery in each neighborhood makes and sells freshly baked cheese pies and every home has a cheese pie recipe in the recipe album.
  • It is easy.ย This tiropita recipe uses already made phyllo pastry and good quality cheese. There is no need to make dough or any complicated pastry.
  • It is versatile. There are various recipes for a good Greek cheese pie. You can make it with the classic thin phyllo pastry or substitute for a puff pastry, have only feta and white Greek cheeses for the filling or a cup of bรฉchamel sauce mixed with delicious grated Cretan gruyรจre and kasseri cheeses. The truth is you can’t go wrong.

Our cheese pie method

  • This tiropita recipe is easy because it uses store-bought phyllo pastry and good-quality cheese. There is no need to make dough or any complicated pastry.
  • The buttered phyllo sheets get scrunched and added to the pan. After adding the cheese mixture, more scrunched buttered phyllo sheets follow. A cup of milk is poured over the pie, and the cheese pie is baked.
  • Why pour a cup of milk all over this cheese pie? The milk makes the cheese pie fluffier, as we call it in Greece, “ฮฑฯ†ฯฮฌฯ„ฮท-afrati-fluffy.”

What kind of cheese is the best for cheese pie

The success of a good Greek cheese pie is obviously on the good quality of cheeses used.

  • I use my beloved feta cheese, and it always has to be Greek. ย No Bulgarian or French feta for me. No low fat, no-fat or fake feta, please. Try and find the best feta you can get. In Greece, there are variations of feta cheese; some are saltier than others. The best feta for a good cheese pie is one with not much salt. I likeย MT Vikosย andย Dodoni feta. Both are mild and can be found in supermarkets within the United States.
  • I also use Gruyรจre cheese. If I get lucky and go to Astoria, I get the Greek version of Gruyรจre called Graviera. I love this sweet but slightly salty cheese and find it works really well in the cheese pie paired together with feta.
  • Another cheese I like to add is cream cheese. It adds creaminess to the filling, and its mild flavor blends well with all the other, more intense cheeses.

About the cheese

The secret to a great tiropita is the quality of the cheese used. It is not necessary to use Gruyรจre if it is not available. You can substitute with Gruyรจre or Compte cheese, etc. Whatever cheese you choose, make sure it is good quality and not a mass-market heavily processed cheese like some we find in supermarkets. Good quality doesn’t mean expensive. Many manufactures make cheese with simple good quality ingredients that don’t cost a fortune. All you have to do is read the labels and determine what you are using does not have extra unnecessary stuff.

A baking pan with cheese pie, a serving stencil and a plate with a piece of pie.

Here is what you need

A packet of phyllo pastry, fresh herbs, a bowl with eggs, sesame seeds, a bowl with feta, gruyere, cream cheese, butter, and a carton of milk.
  • Greek feta cheese like Vikos and Dodoni. Always get a block of cheese in brine.
  • Gruyรจre cheese. I love the sweet but slightly salty, nutty flavor.
  • Cream cheese. It adds creaminess to the filling.
  • Milk. The secret weapon right before baking.
  • Eggs.
  • Phyllo sheets. The thickness can vary. A package of phyllo No4 has about 12-14 sheets. Thicker No10 phyllo will have 6 or 8 sheets.
  • Butter. I always get salted butter, unless the recipe specifies otherwise.
  • Fresh herbs: Thyme leaves or sage, oregano, all are good.
  • Sesame seeds. For a little color and texture. You can use both blond or black or omit them altogether.

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

How to make a Greek cheese pie

Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.

Eggs,fetal and gruyere cheese in a bowl.

In a large bowl, mix well the cheeses, thyme leaves, eggs, salt, and pepper to taste.

A baking pan covered with buttered phyllo sheets for making Greek cheese pie.

Brush 2 sheets of phyllo with melted butter and spread them gently in the pan, one at a time. The phyllo I use is purposely larger than my baking pan, so the phyllo edges can hang outside the pan as I roll them in later. 

Take another 2 sheets and repeat the same process adding the phyllo so that the edges cover the rest of the pan. Make sure the phyllo edges are buttered as well. That way, they won’t get dry by the time you roll them in.

Divide the phyllo pack in half and set one half aside, covered with a damp towel, so it does not get dry. 

Brush one phyllo at a time with butter, crumple it and place in the pan. Repeat the process until all of the sheets of that half of the pack are done.

A baking pan being filled with phyllo sheets and cheese pie mixture.

Spread the cheese mix evenly in the pan. 

Setting two phyllo sheets aside, cover cheese mix with the remaining half of the package in the same process as before. Brush with butter, crumple, and add to the pan. Sometimes I like to go the opposite direction than previous, totally optional. 

Cover pie with the two buttered phyllo sheets. Gently bring all the phyllo edges into the pan, fold them, almost creating a “phyllo border.” Score gently with a sharp knife. Pour the milk evenly all over the pie. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

A baking pan with tiro pita-Greek cheese pie ready for the oven.

Wait 10 minutes for the milk to be fully absorbed. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake for 30 min or until cooked through, and the top is golden brown.

Enjoy!

A white baking pan with Greek cheese pie-tiropita.

Helpful tips to make the perfect cheese pie

  • The eggs I use for this pie are regular/average size. If you have large or extra large eggs use 3 instead of 4 in the mixture. If the mixture feels too runny add a little more feta cheese.
  • If fresh herbs like thyme are not available, use dried versions. Dried oregano, thyme, even Herbs de Provence will go well with this cheese pie.
  • Don’t add salt to the cheese mixture. Feta cheese and gruyere are already salty even if they are mild versions. Do a taste test if unsure and add salt sparingly.
  • Some cooks skip the milk and pour a cup of soda water over the pie before baking. The result is nice crispy phyllo and fluffy texture.
Two pieces of tiropita-Greek cheese pie on a plate .

Additional Q+A and tiropita tips

What are the best phyllo sheets?

There are many kinds of phyllo available in supermarkets. I like to use the largest size, about 14″ x 18″. Some of my go-to are Fantis and Fillo Factory. In Greek supermarkets you will find phyllo sheets with different thickness. The thicker ones are perfect for a more rustic results. Any kind of phyllo is fine to use for a tiropita. Here I give you directions for any thickness. It is most important to check the freshness of the phyllo. Read the package and see when it was made and when is the expiration date. After a couple of times coming home with a box of old, dry phyllo that breaks easily, I learned my lesson.

Can I use shelf-stable cheese for a cheese pie?

Please avoid using shelf-stable “cheese.” Anything that can be stored at room temperature for months on end in a plastic container has a concerning amount of additives, and most importantly it is not really cheese.

Can I freeze a Greek cheese pie?

Yes, you can. Store it in a freezer-friendly container and freeze for up to two months. Let the cheese pie reach room temperature, then warm it up in a 180ยฐC / 350ยฐF oven for 15 minutes or so.

How to enjoy a cheese pie

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A pan with baked Greek cheese pie with some pieces cut and a serving utensil.

Greek Cheese Pie – Tiropita

by Jenny | The Greek Foodie
With phyllo sheets, Greek feta cheese & gruyere, it is guaranteed to be a hit.
4.89 from 36 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main, Snack, Vegetarian
Cuisine Greek
Servings 16 pieces
Calories 336 kcal

Equipment

  • 11" x 8" baking pan

Ingredients
 
 

  • 0.6 lb Greek feta cheese I likeย Vikosย andย Dodoni.
  • 12 oz gruyere cheese grated.
  • 3.5 oz Philadelphia cheese About half of the classic package.
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 eggs, medium-average size If you have large eggs please use 3.
  • 1 box organic phyllo sheets
  • 1.5 sticks butter melted
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350* F.
  • Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Brush 2 sheets of phyllo with the melted butter and spread them gently in the pan, one at a time.
    The phyllo I use is purposely larger than my baking pan, so I can let the phyllo edges hang outside the pan as I will roll them over later.
    Take another 2 sheets and repeat the same process adding the phyllo so that the edges cover the rest of the pan.
    Make sure the phyllo edges are buttered as well. That way, they won't get dry by the time you roll them in.
  • In a large bowl, mix well the crumbled feta, grated cheeses, Philadelphia, thyme, the eggs, and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Divide the phyllo pack in half and set one half aside, covered with a damp towel, so it does not get dry.
    Brush one phyllo at a time with butter, crumple it and place in the pan. Repeat the process until all of the sheets of that half of the pack are done.
  • Spread the cheeses mix evenly in the pan.
    Setting two phyllo sheets aside cover with the remaining half of the package in the same process as before. Brush with butter, crumple, and add to the pan.ย 
  • Cover pie with the two buttered phyllo sheets.ย 
    Gently bring all the phyllo edges into the pan, fold them, almost creating a "phyllo border."
  • Score gently with a sharp knife.
  • Pour the milk evenly all over the pie. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes.
    Uncover and bake for 30 min or until cooked through, and the top is golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 13gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 484mgPotassium: 99mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 714IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 327mgIron: 1mg
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Easy Greek Cheese pie -Tiropita recipe

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