After researching this recipe, I decided to call it Oval Pizza Boats. This style of flatbread topped or filled with savory ingredients appears across several cuisines, so “pizza boats” captures the idea without favoring one tradition over another.
In Turkey this dish is known as pide, while in Greece it’s often called peinirli. They are essentially the same concept: an oval or boat-shaped flatbread filled or topped with your choice of ingredients.
To keep things simple and inclusive, I prefer to think of them as a type of pizza — a comforting, customizable pastry enjoyed around the world.
I’ve always been curious about food, culture, and tradition. Although I’m not Turkish, Greek, or Italian, many people asked about this recipe after I shared it in my Instagram Story last December for my sons’ birthday.
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I enjoy learning the history and regional variations of dishes. I watched videos by cooks from different countries and read about their methods so I could adapt the recipe respectfully for this blog.
Food traditions can be personal and meaningful, and I try to be mindful and respectful when sharing recipes that belong to a culture’s culinary heritage.
Oval Pizza Boats are quick and straightforward to make. Like traditional pizza, they work well for feeding a crowd: make a variety of toppings to suit vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Each boat is an individual portion, so guests can mix and match.
Our Favorite Finger Foods
What are your favorite toppings? I love them all, but ham and mushrooms is my longtime favorite combination.
Another twist I enjoy is creamy spinach with a sprinkle of feta instead of classic tomato-based toppings. Serve it alongside grilled chicken or enjoy it on its own — both are delicious.
The possibilities are endless, and these boats are forgiving and versatile, so you can experiment with different flavors.
Oval Pizza Boats
SIMILAR RECIPES:
Pepperoni and Burrata Pizza with Pesto
Toast Pizza Roll
Supreme Bread Pizza
If you make these Oval Pizza Boats, please tag me on social media. I’m most active on Instagram — use the handle @sandraseasycooking and the hashtag #sandraseasycooking. If your account is private, feel free to DM a photo.
Oval Pizza Boats
10 minutes
20 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 30 minutes
These Oval Pizza Boats are simple to prepare, versatile, and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 1 cup lukewarm whole milk
- 1 tbsp active dry yeast (or follow package instructions)
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
Topping used here:
- Onion
- Mixed peppers
- Precooked gyro meat (beef and lamb)
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
Dough
- Add lukewarm water, yeast, and sugar to a small bowl and allow the yeast to bloom.
- In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook (or a large mixing bowl if kneading by hand), combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
- When the yeast has bloomed, pour it over the flour and begin mixing while adding 1 cup of warm milk. Knead with the mixer for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth, soft, and slightly tacky. If working by hand, knead until you reach the same texture.
- Cover the dough and let it rise for about 1 hour, until it nearly doubles in size.
Topping
- I used precooked gyro meat (beef and lamb).
- Sauté the peppers and onions for a few minutes until softened, then add the meat and season with salt and pepper. If the meat is precooked, simply warm or defrost it and combine with the vegetables.
Note: You can use any filling or topping you prefer.
Preheat Oven
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Divide the risen dough into 10 pieces and shape each into a round ball. Keep unused pieces covered with a damp kitchen towel to prevent drying.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece into an oval large enough for your baking sheet. Place the rolled dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Add your chosen filling or toppings, leaving about 2 inches of space around the edges.
- Fold the sides toward the center and press firmly. Pinch and seal the ends to form a canoe shape. Stretch gently if needed to fit the baking sheet. (I prefer assembling the boats directly on the baking sheet to avoid transferring them.)
- Brush the edges with beaten egg and bake for 18–20 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
Notes
You can fill or top these boats with almost anything. Popular variations in my home include:
- Creamed spinach and feta cheese boats
- Minced meat and cheese
- Chicken fajita style with cooked chicken and peppers
Nutrition Information
Yield
5
Serving Size
1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 725
Total Fat 15g
Saturated Fat 6g
Trans Fat 0g
Unsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 63mg
Sodium 1377mg
Carbohydrates 112g
Fiber 5g
Sugar 7g
Protein 33g
This nutrition data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix. Nutrition information can vary and should be used as an estimate.
Did you make this recipe?
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