Traditional Greek Bread Recipes

Greek cuisine boasts a rich bread-making tradition, from ancient flatbreads to festive holiday loaves. Bread is central to Greek culture – whether it’s a simple village loaf served with every meal or a sweet, spiced bread prepared for special occasions. In this roundup, we explore over twenty types of Greek breads, both traditional classics and creative modern twists.

Your Guide to Greek Bread Classics and Modern Twists

Greek bread is more than a side. It is history on a plate, from simple village loaves to ornate holiday breads that carry family traditions. In this roundup you will find over twenty types of Greek bread: soft flatbreads, sesame-crusted breakfast rings, island-style tomato breads, and sweet celebratory loaves. Each entry links to a dependable, well-tested recipe and includes serving ideas, ingredient notes, and cultural context.

Use this guide to plan a Greek mezze night, bake a festive loaf for a holiday table, or try a modern spin with gluten-free pita or a spanakopita bread twist. If you are new to Greek breads, start with pita. Experienced bakers can dive into tsoureki, christopsomo, and barley rusks.

Pita Bread (Greek Flatbread)

Pita is the iconic Greek flatbread, soft and fluffy with a signature pocket inside. It’s a yeast-leavened round flatbread that puffs up when baked, creating an air pocket perfect for filling. Greeks serve pita alongside dips like tzatziki and hummus, or cut into wedges with grilled meats. This flatbread has ancient origins and remains a staple in Greece and the Mediterranean region, beloved for its versatility and chewy texture.

Beyond the dinner table, pita is most famous as the wrap for beloved street foods. In Athens and throughout Greece, souvlaki and gyro sandwiches are made by wrapping juicy grilled meat, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki in warm pita bread, often with a few fries tucked in. Pita bread is also used to scoop up savory dishes or rolled with fillings for quick snacks. It’s traditionally baked in hot ovens or on a griddle, which makes it puff and brown beautifully. For those avoiding gluten, there are even gluten-free pita bread recipes that recreate this classic’s soft, pocketed goodness.

Lagana (Clean Monday Flatbread)

Lagana is a traditional Greek flatbread especially baked for Clean Monday, the first day of Lent in the Greek Orthodox calendar. This flat, oval loaf is usually topped generously with sesame seeds and is distinctive for being an azyme (unleavened) bread in its classic form. Families bake or buy lagana only once a year for the Clean Monday feast, accompanying seafood and mezze in the Lenten spirit. The bread has a lightly crunchy crust and airy interior when fresh. It often contains olive oil, which keeps it moist despite the lack of eggs or dairy (since it’s traditionally vegan for Lent).

Lagana’s history dates back to ancient times, but it remains a beloved part of modern Greek culture during Lent. The recipe has simple ingredients – flour, water, yeast (modern versions often do use yeast), a pinch of sugar, and salt – allowing the rich sesame flavor to shine. Baking lagana fills the kitchen with a toasty aroma, and the resulting golden flatbread is delicious dipped in taramasalata (fish roe dip) or enjoyed plain.

Ladenia (Tomato & Onion Flatbread from Kimolos)

Ladenia is often called the “Greek pizza” – a rustic flatbread topped with olive oil, ripe tomatoes, and onions. Hailing from the small Cycladic island of Kimolos, ladenia is a purely vegan dish that showcases simple, high-quality ingredients. The bread base is similar to focaccia: a soft, olive oil-rich dough pressed into a pan. It’s then layered with slices of juicy tomato and slivers of onion, plus a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (in fact, its name comes from ladi, Greek for “oil”). As it bakes, the tomatoes roast and the onions caramelize slightly, infusing the bread with their sweet juices.

This old-fashioned island recipe has recently gained wider popularity as more people discover its charm. Ladenia is best enjoyed warm or at room temperature, often cut into squares as an appetizer or snack. It’s completely plant-based and was traditionally a Lenten or everyday food in Kimolos, making use of the island’s fresh produce.

Tsoureki (Greek Easter Sweet Bread)

Tsoureki is a mildly sweet, soft yeast bread traditionally made for Easter in Greece. Its most recognizable feature is the braided loaf adorned with red-dyed hard-boiled eggs nestled in the dough – a symbol of new life and the resurrection. Tsoureki’s rich dough is enriched with milk, butter, sugar, and eggs, and it’s perfumed with aromatic seasonings like mahlep (mahaleb) – a spice made from cherry pits – and often mastic resin or orange zest. The result is a golden, fluffy bread with a delicate sweetness and a beautiful fragrance. In Byzantine times, it was customary to bake ring-shaped Easter breads with a red egg in the middle, a tradition that continues with tsoureki today.

This braided Easter bread is similar to other celebration breads like brioche or challah, yet distinctly Greek in flavor. Families bake tsourekia during Holy Week, and they are broken and shared after the midnight Resurrection service on Easter. The bread’s braid symbolizes the Holy Trinity, and the red eggs signify the blood of Christ and rebirth.

Christopsomo (Greek Christmas Bread)

Christopsomo, which translates to “Christ’s bread,” is a rich holiday loaf baked in Greece on Christmas Eve. This round, sweet bread is deeply symbolic – it’s often decorated with a cross made of dough across the top and other ornate patterns (sometimes people form designs like flowers, animals, or family initials in dough). Christopsomo is usually flavored with warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, anise, and orange zest, and may include nuts or raisins. Before Christmas dinner, the head of the household traditionally makes the sign of the cross over the Christopsomo and slices it, offering a prayer for blessings in the coming year. In many regions, the bread is seen as a symbol of the family’s hopes for prosperity and health.

Baking Christopsomo is a labor of love – the dough is often kneaded by hand and allowed to rise slowly, filling the home with a sweet, spiced aroma. Once baked, it has a bronzed crust (often brushed with a bit of olive oil or syrup) and a soft, cake-like crumb. A whole walnut in its shell is sometimes pressed into the center of the loaf as part of the decoration, representing fertility or the nativity.

Vasilopita (New Year’s Lucky Bread)

Vasilopita is the Greek New Year’s bread (or sometimes cake) that hides a lucky coin. On New Year’s Day (St. Basil’s Day), families cut the vasilopita to bless the house and see who wins the coin baked inside – that person is said to have good luck for the year:contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}. Traditional vasilopita bread is often a round, slightly sweet loaf similar to brioche or tsoureki, scented with orange and sometimes mahlep. Another popular version is more like a dense pound cake. What both have in common is the ritual: before cutting, a cross is etched on the bottom of the loaf, the first slice is for Jesus or St. Basil, the second for the household, and then one slice for each family member in order of age.

Classic bread-style vasilopita is made with milk, eggs, butter, and flavored with citrus zest, while cake-style might include vanilla and brandy. The top is typically dusted with powdered sugar or decorated with blanched almonds spelling out the new year (for example, “2025”). It’s delightful to eat, but the excitement comes from the hunt for the coin (wrapped in foil before baking).

Lazarakia (Greek Lazarus Buns)

Lazarakia are small, sweet spice buns made to commemorate Lazarus Saturday (the day before Palm Sunday). These whimsical breads are shaped like little men wrapped in burial shrouds – essentially, each bun is shaped to resemble the figure of Saint Lazarus bound in grave clothes, often with whole cloves for eyes. According to tradition, Greek families bake Lazarakia to honor the miracle of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Unlike most celebratory breads, Lazarakia are vegan (Lenten), containing no eggs or dairy, since Lazarus Saturday falls during Lent. They are typically flavored with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and sometimes stuffed or garnished with raisins and nuts for sweetness.

Horiatiko Psomi (Village Bread)

Horiatiko psomi literally means “village bread” or “country bread.” This is the everyday rustic loaf that has nourished generations of Greeks. It’s a crusty, hearty bread usually made with a combination of wheat flour and often a bit of barley or semolina flour, which gives it a light golden tint and robust flavor. Traditional village bread is often sourdough-based or uses a small amount of yeast with a long rise. The dough might start with a prozymi (starter), sometimes even a chickpea starter in older times, yielding a loaf with excellent depth of flavor. After kneading, the round loaf is commonly baked in a wood-fired oven, which gives it a thick, crackling crust.

The texture of horiatiko psomi is perfect for dipping into olive oil or sauces – it’s chewy and substantial, with an open crumb. It’s the bread served at tavernas in villages, brought to the table in hearty slices to accompany salads, soups, and mains. It also keeps well; older slices are often dried to make rusks or used in recipes like panzanella or the Greek salad with rusks (dakos).

Koulouri Thessalonikis (Sesame Bread Rings)

If you walk the streets of Greece in the morning, especially in Thessaloniki or Athens, you’re likely to encounter vendors selling koulouri – golden sesame-crusted bread rings. Koulouri (plural koulouria) is a beloved Greek breakfast on-the-go: a circular bread a bit like a cross between a bagel and a pretzel (but without the boil or lye treatment). It has a lightly crispy exterior thanks to a generous coating of sesame seeds, and a soft, chewy inside. Thessaloniki is particularly famous for its koulouri, hence the name “Koulouri Thessalonikis.” These rings are not very thick – they’re usually skinny loops about 5–6 inches across. They have a mild flavor, slightly sweet and yeasty, which makes them perfect for munching plain or with a coffee.

The simplicity of koulouri is part of its charm: flour, water, yeast, a touch of sugar, and plenty of sesame seeds. Yet, when made right, it’s incredibly satisfying. Greeks often enjoy koulouri for breakfast or a mid-morning snack, and it’s common to see people nibbling on one on their way to work or school. Some modern variations include adding spices or topping with cheese, but the classic is simply sesame.

Kritsinia (Greek Sesame Breadsticks)

Kritsinia are crunchy Greek breadsticks, usually encrusted with sesame seeds or sometimes other seeds like sunflower, flax, or anise. Often sold in bakeries and supermarkets throughout Greece, kritsinia are a popular snack that can be enjoyed at any time of day. They are typically about finger-thickness and can be anywhere from 4 to 10 inches long. The texture is crispy – similar to Italian grissini but frequently a bit thicker and heartier. Some versions are made with whole wheat flour or include a bit of honey or olive oil for extra flavor. Because they contain no dairy or perishable ingredients, kritsinia keep well and are perfect as a portable nibble.

Stafidopsomo (Raisin Bread Rolls)

Stafidopsomo means “raisin bread” in Greek, and it’s a wholesome treat often enjoyed as a mid-morning snack or light breakfast. These are typically small, individual bread rolls or buns studded generously with raisins (stafides). Greek raisin bread is only mildly sweet – most of the sweetness comes from the raisins themselves and perhaps a touch of honey in the dough. Many recipes also include cinnamon, which pairs perfectly with the burst of sweetness from the raisins. The dough can be made with part whole wheat flour, making stafidopsomo a relatively healthy baked good – in fact, it’s common to find it in Greek schoolchildren’s snack boxes or being sold at bakery chains as a “healthy snack” option.

Tiropsomo (Feta Cheese Bread)

Tiropsomo is a savory Greek cheese bread that any cheese lover will adore. The name literally translates to “cheese bread” (tiri meaning cheese, psomi meaning bread). It’s essentially a rustic loaf or flatbread that’s enriched with chunks of feta cheese throughout the dough or sometimes filled with a feta mixture. As the bread bakes, the salty, creamy feta softens and infuses the bread with its flavor. You end up with pockets of melty cheese in each slice – it’s a bit like the Greek answer to a cheese-stuffed focaccia. Some recipes for tiropsomo incorporate Greek yogurt or olive oil in the dough for tenderness, and you’ll often find a hint of oregano or rosemary to complement the cheese.

Tiropsomo is commonly enjoyed as an appetizer or alongside meals – imagine dipping a piece into a hearty bowl of soup or serving it with olives and tomatoes as part of a light lunch. It’s best eaten warm when the feta is still soft. In Greek bakeries, you might also find individual tiropsoma rolls (similar concept to a cheese roll). This bread showcases the Greeks’ love affair with feta, incorporating it right into their baking.

Eliopsomo (Olive Bread)

Eliopsomo – literally “olive bread” – is a traditional Greek bread that combines two staples of Greek life: bread and olives. This fragrant loaf is usually a village-style bread dough kneaded with plenty of chopped olives (often Kalamata or black olives) and a good glug of olive oil. The olives add bursts of briny flavor throughout the soft crumb, and the olive oil makes the bread moist and tender. Many versions also include herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano, which pair beautifully with the olives. The aroma while baking an eliopsomo is incredible – like a Greek olive grove in your kitchen!

This bread is often made in rustic round loaves or sometimes as a focaccia-like flatbread. It’s wonderful on its own, simply sliced and eaten, or served with a little cheese. Eliopsomo also makes a mean sandwich (imagine it with some fresh tomato and feta, yum!). Because the olives provide saltiness, the bread itself doesn’t need much extra salt in the dough. Each bite gives you a chewy piece of bread with a slightly salty olive – a perfect balance.

Paximadi (Barley Rusks)

Paximadia are traditional Greek twice-baked breads or rusks – think of them as very hard, dry slices of bread that can be stored for long periods. They were a staple for Greek farmers and seafarers in the past because of their excellent shelf life. One of the most famous varieties is the Cretan barley rusk (called dakos when topped with tomato and feta, as in the well-known Cretan salad). These rusks are often made with barley or a mix of barley and wheat flours, which gives them a dense texture, high fiber content, and a distinctive nutty flavor. The dough is first baked into a loaf, then cut and baked again at a low temperature to fully dry out.

While paximadia are extremely hard if you bite them as-is, they soften delectably when moistened – often they’re briefly dipped in water or wine before eating, or topped with juicy chopped tomatoes and olive oil which rehydrate them just enough. The result is a satisfyingly chewy, wholesome base for toppings. They can be sweet as well (like cinnamon-orange flavored rusks), but the plain barley ones are most common.

Tiganopsomo (Fried Bread with Feta)

Tiganopsomo is a decadent Greek flatbread that’s pan-fried to golden perfection. In Greek, tiganopsomo means “frying pan bread,” and that’s exactly how it’s made – a simple bread dough, often with a bit of yogurt in it, is rolled out and typically filled or sprinkled with crumbled feta cheese, then folded and fried in olive oil until crisp and puffed. The result is a savory, flaky bread on the outside with warm, melty feta inside. It’s like a quicker, stovetop version of a cheese pie. This treat originates from northern Greece, but variations exist throughout the country (sometimes the dough is simply fried without filling and cheese is added on top after).

Spanakopita Bread Twist (Spinach & Feta Twist)

This modern creation combines two Greek favorites: spanakopita (the classic spinach and feta pie) and bread! The spanakopita bread twist is a beautiful loaf or ring of bread that is filled with a savory spinach, herb, and feta mixture, much like the filling of spanakopita. One popular version made famous by food bloggers involves a twisted, braided shape where layers of dough encase the green filling, showing off swirls of spinach when baked. It’s essentially a stuffed bread, but presented in a visually stunning way – often as a twisted wreath or pull-apart loaf that’s perfect for sharing. The bread part is usually a yeast dough enriched with olive oil, which gives it a soft texture and a nice flavor that complements the filling.

Gluten-Free Pita Bread (Modern Adaptation)

Traditional Greek pita is made with wheat flour, but for those who are gluten-intolerant or avoiding gluten, modern kitchens have developed gluten-free pita bread recipes so everyone can enjoy this staple. A gluten-free pita aims to replicate the soft, flexible texture of the original, often using a blend of flours like rice flour, tapioca or potato starch, and perhaps sorghum or corn flour. Xanthan gum or psyllium husk is typically added to mimic the elasticity that gluten would provide, helping the dough trap air and puff up. While gluten-free pitas might not always get a huge pocket, they can still be rolled or folded and are wonderful for wraps or serving with dips.

The process for making gluten-free pita is similar – you make a dough (it’s usually a bit stickier and softer than wheat dough), let it rise, then divide and cook on a hot skillet or oven stone. The reward is freshly puffed flatbreads that are safe for celiac or gluten-sensitive eaters but still taste delicious. Many people are pleasantly surprised at how well these alternatives turn out – soft and even slightly chewy, perfect for gyros or souvlaki fillings.

Loukoumades (Honey Syrup Dough Balls)

We’ll end on a sweet note: loukoumades, often described as Greek honey doughnuts. Though not a bread in the conventional sense, these fried dough puffs are a cherished part of Greek confectionery and were requested in our roundup. Loukoumades are small yeasted dough balls, fried until crisp and golden, then immediately soaked or drizzled in a warm honey syrup. They’re typically served piled on a platter, sticky with honey and often sprinkled with cinnamon and crushed walnuts or sesame seeds. The contrast of textures is divine – the outside is slightly crunchy, while the inside remains soft and airy. Some say loukoumades date back to ancient Greece (possibly given to Olympic winners as a prize), making them one of the oldest recorded pastries.

In Greece today, you might enjoy loukoumades at festivals, pastry shops, or zacharoplastia (sweet shops). They’re best eaten fresh and hot, when they practically melt in your mouth. Modern twists include toppings like chocolate sauce or ice cream, but the classic honey and cinnamon can’t be beat. Making loukoumades at home is quite straightforward: you prepare a loose dough, let it rise, then drop spoonfuls or pinched bits into hot oil. Once puffed and golden, you transfer them to syrup and watch them glisten.

From crusty village loaves to sweet festive breads, Greek baking offers something for every palate. This collection highlights how bread in Greece can be both daily nourishment and a centerpiece of celebration. Whether you’re baking a family recipe like tsoureki for the holidays or trying a trendy spanakopita twist loaf, you’re participating in a delicious heritage. With the recipes linked above, you can bring a taste of Greece into your own kitchen. Καλή όρεξη – good appetite and happy baking!

How to Build a Greek Bread Platter

• Base: a rustic loaf of horiatiko psomi or a pile of warm pita.
• Accents: olives, tomato wedges, cucumber, feta, capers, oregano.
• Spreads: tzatziki, melitzanosalata, taramasalata, hummus.
• Sweet corner: slices of tsoureki with honey and butter; a bowl of walnuts.

Greek Bread FAQs

What is the most popular Greek bread?

Pita bread is the most widely known Greek bread worldwide, thanks to gyros and souvlaki. At home in Greece, horiatiko psomi (village bread) is the everyday table bread.

Which Greek bread is best for dipping?

Warm pita and rustic horiatiko are ideal for olive oil, dips, and saucy stews. Paximadi is perfect once moistened and topped for dakos.

What is Greek sweet bread called?

Tsoureki is the classic sweet braided Greek bread, scented with mahlep and orange. During Christmas look for christopsomo, and at New Year’s vasilopita.

Can I make Greek bread without a stand mixer?

Yes. Most recipes here are hand-knead friendly. For enriched doughs like tsoureki, use short knead cycles with rests to develop gluten.

What flour is best for Greek bread?

All-purpose flour works for most loaves and flatbreads. For horiatiko add semolina for color and bite. For paximadi include barley flour for authenticity.