Savory Greek Ladenia: The Best Homemade Pizza Recipe

Sizzling straight from the sun-drenched islands, this authentic Greek pizza (ladenia) delivers a mouthwatering slice of Mediterranean magic.

Generations of Greek home cooks have perfected this rustic flatbread that bursts with simple, robust flavors.

Tomatoes dance across a crisp, olive oil-soaked base, creating a symphony of tangy and herbal notes.

Traditionally prepared in wood-fired ovens on the Cycladic islands, (ladenia) captures the essence of Greek street food with its minimalist approach.

The dough stretches thin and golden, promising a crisp yet chewy texture that beckons you to take a bite.

Each slice tells a story of coastal winds, sun-ripened produce, and time-honored culinary traditions.

Dive into this delectable recipe and transport your taste buds to the azure shores of Greece.

Assemble Your Greek Pizza in Steps

• Yeast Awakening

Activate the yeast by mixing it with warm water and sugar, letting it bubble and come to life for about 5 minutes.

• Dough Creation

Blend flour, oil, and salt to form a soft, smooth mixture that feels silky and elastic.

• Pan Preparation

Generously coat an round baking pan with olive oil, creating a welcoming surface for the dough.

• Dough Stretching

Gently guide the dough across the pan, using fingertips to coax it toward the edges, creating a delicate foundation.

• Resting Period

Allow the dough to relax and rise, covered with a damp cloth, giving it time to develop flavor and texture.

• Topping Assembly

Combine fresh tomatoes, sliced onions, fragrant oregano, and a generous drizzle of olive oil, creating a vibrant Mediterranean medley.

• Flavor Layering

Sprinkle crumbled feta across the dough, then carefully spread the tomato mixture, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.

• Oven Magic

Bake in a hot oven until the base turns golden and crisp, and the top develops a beautiful rustic charm.

• Serving Delight

Remove from the oven, slice into tempting pieces, and savor the warm, aromatic flavors of this traditional Greek treasure.

Flavor Ideas to Change Up Your Ladenia

• Pizza Perfection Secrets
• Flour Power: Experiment with whole wheat or semolina flour for a heartier, nuttier dough texture that adds extra depth to your ladenia.
• Oil Infusion Magic: Try infusing your olive oil with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme before mixing into the dough for an incredible aromatic boost that elevates the entire dish.
• Tomato Trick: Choose ripe, in-season tomatoes from your local farmers market for the most vibrant and fresh flavor profile that truly captures authentic Greek essence.
• Topping Transformation: Get creative by adding crumbled kalamata olives, sliced bell peppers, or even some chopped fresh spinach to introduce personal flair while respecting traditional ingredients.
• Temperature Wisdom: Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area like near a sunny window or slightly warm oven to ensure perfect fermentation and a light, airy texture that makes Greek pizza irresistibly delicious.

How to Serve Greek Pizza in Style

• Mediterranean Mezze Platter: Create a vibrant side spread with hummus, tzatziki, kalamata olives, and fresh cucumber slices to complement the pizza's rich flavors.
• Refreshing Greek Salad Companion: Toss together crisp romaine, cherry tomatoes, red onions, and crumbled feta with a light lemon-oregano vinaigrette to balance the warm pizza.
• Wine Pairing Adventure: Select a crisp, light Greek white wine like Assyrtiko or a chilled rosé to enhance the tomato and feta notes, bringing out the authentic Mediterranean essence of the ladenia.
• Herb Garnish Finale: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or extra oregano over the pizza just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the dish's rustic charm.

Store Your Pizza Like a Pizzeria Pro

• Quick Leftover Magic: Slice cold ladenia into triangles and pack for a delightful lunch at work or school. Tastes incredible even when chilled, making it a perfect portable meal option.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store remaining pizza slices in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep in the coolest section of your refrigerator to maintain maximum flavor and texture integrity.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm slices in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispy edges and revive the pizza's original delicious character. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy crust.
• Freezing Potential: Wrap individual slices tightly in aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently in oven for best results.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30–40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes – 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 9

Greek Pizza (Ladenia) Ingredient Breakdown

• Instant Yeast: Magical rising agent that helps dough become light and airy, choose fresh and active yeast for best results.
• Castor Sugar: Helps activate yeast and adds subtle sweetness, ensures smooth fermentation process.
• Lukewarm Water: Creates perfect environment for yeast activation, use tepid water to prevent killing yeast.
• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient providing structure and texture, select high-quality unbleached flour.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and helps create soft, tender dough, choose cold-pressed variety.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances dough's sweetness, use fine-grain for even distribution.

• Tomatoes, Red Onion: Fresh vegetables that create vibrant, colorful base, select ripe, firm produce with intense color.
• Oregano: Classic Mediterranean herb bringing robust, earthy flavor, use freshly ground for most aromatic experience.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Drizzled generously to enhance moisture and flavor, select high-quality Greek or Italian olive oil.
• Kalamata Olives: Traditional Greek olive variety adding briny, rich taste, choose pitted and plump olives.
• Feta Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese providing authentic Greek character, select authentic Greek sheep's milk variety.

Tools That Make Greek Pizza a Breeze

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing and proofing dough ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and combining dough components.
• Round Baking Pan (11-inch): Crucial for shaping and baking the pizza.
• Damp Tea Towel: Helps dough rise by keeping moisture and warmth.
• Measuring Cups: Needed for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Mixing Bowl: For preparing tomato and topping mixture.
• Oven: Required for baking the ladenia to golden perfection.
• Cutting Tool: For slicing the pizza into serving pieces.

Authentic Greek Pizza

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• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes – 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Rustic Greek pizza ladenia showcases the simple elegance of Mediterranean cuisine. Crisp flatbread topped with ripe tomatoes, onions, and herbs offers you a delightful journey through traditional Greek flavors.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5 cups (410 g) all-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups lukewarm water
• 1 tbsps (15 ml) instant yeast
• 1 tsp castor (superfine) sugar
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.25 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil (plus more for greasing the pan)
• 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsps oregano, ground in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder
• 0.5 cup (120 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
• 0.75 cup (3.5 oz or 100 g) crumbled feta cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Whisk yeast, sugar, and warm water in a large mixing bowl, allowing the mixture to become frothy and develop for 5 minutes.
2. Dough Preparation: Blend flour, olive oil, and salt into the yeast mixture, kneading thoroughly to create a smooth, elastic dough. Adjust consistency as needed by adding flour or liquid.
3. Pan Preparation: Thoroughly coat an 11-inch circular baking pan with olive oil, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Dough Shaping: Transfer dough to the greased pan, using fingertips to gently spread and stretch the dough towards the pan’s edges, creating an even surface.
5. First Rise: Cover the dough with a damp kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm location for 30 minutes, allowing the dough to expand and develop flavor.
6. Topping Creation: Combine tomatoes, onions, oregano, olive oil, salt, and optional olives in a preparation bowl, carefully mixing to preserve the tomatoes’ texture and integrity.
7. Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F, ensuring complete and even heating.
8. Surface Preparation: Gently stretch the risen dough and create distinctive dimples across the surface using fingertips.
9. Cheese Layer: Evenly distribute crumbled feta cheese across the prepared dough surface.
10. Final Topping: Artfully arrange the prepared tomato mixture over the cheese-covered base, ensuring balanced distribution.
11. Baking Process: Place the ladenia in the preheated oven, baking for 30-40 minutes until the base turns golden-brown and the edges become crisp and slightly charred.
12. Serving: Remove from the oven, allow brief cooling, then slice into wedges. Serve and enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired flavors at warm or room temperature.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Carefully: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to perfectly bloom yeast without killing it, creating a frothy, alive mixture.
• Adjust Dough Consistency: Feel the dough’s texture while kneading; it should be smooth and elastic, not too sticky or dry – add flour or water in small increments.
• Proof in Warm Space: Select a draft-free area like a turned-off oven or near a warm appliance to help dough rise consistently and develop flavor.
• Handle Toppings Gently: Slice tomatoes and onions thinly to prevent excess moisture, ensuring a crisp crust and preventing sogginess during baking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30–40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg