"Ladenia" (pronounced la-the-nia) is best described as a Greek flatbread.
It's soft, fluffy and downright delicious!
You want to know more?
Let's dive right in.

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I want to continue where I left off recently and that means more heirloom tomatoes!
The dish I want to highlight today is soooo goood!
I've made it three times in the last few weeks and it has never survived beyond a few hours.
It's called "ladenia" and is almost "focaccia-esque" in its taste and appearance.
I hope that doesn't offend anyone (and I'm sure I'll be emailed about it) but it's basically a pizza/foccacia dough made with Greek extra virgin olive oil and topped with tomatoes, sliced onions and Greek oregano.
Ladenia is a specialty Greek flatbread which hails from the island of Kimolos.
It's topped with tomatoes, onions, Greek oregano and olive oil.
Related: See my Greek Yogurt Flatbread for further inspitation.
🥘 Ingredients
Making ladenia is a two-step process. There's the dough itself and the topping.
For the dough:
- 1 cup water, warm
- 7 g yeast, instant or dried (1 sachet is approx. 7 grams)
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 ¼ cups plain flour
For the topping:
- 2 ¼ cups tomatoes, sliced (heirloom variety optional)
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp oregano, Greek
The ladenia dough has olive oil in it, making it much easier to handle, in my opinion.
It rises perfectly and has a soft, almost fluffy texture.
Add some Greek oregano (go and seek it out I say....it's the best!) and you have an equation that equals delicious.
The aroma alone while cooking this Greek flatbread, will drive you insane!
🔪 Instructions
- To make the dough, combine the water and yeast - cover and allow it to activate-about 10 mins. Add the olive oil, salt and stir to combine.
- Begin by adding 2 cups of flour and mixing thoroughly and then slowly adding the last cup until you have an elastic, pliable dough. If you find it is still too sticky try adding a few tbsps of olive oil.
- Knead the dough for about 5-6 mins applying lot of elbow grease. Lay the dough on your pre-oiled baking dish and proceed to stretch it out ensuring it reaches the edges of your baking dish.
- Cover the dough in cling wrap and with a kitchen towel and leave it to rise in a warm place for about 45 mins-1 hour.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, combine your heirloom tomatoes, onions, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and spread this mix evenly over the dough.
- Top with generous amounts of Greek oregano and bake in pre heated 200 deg C oven for about 40-50 mins.
- Cut the ladenia into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.
But wait there's more:
📖 Variations
If you love this ladenia then I know you're going to love my other specialty bread.
- How about my no knead Kalamata olive bread made with spelt flour?
- If you feel like hopping around the Greek islands then try my melopita from Sifnos - a crustless Greek-style cheesecake made with honey.
📖 Recipe
Ladenia
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Conversions
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 cup water, warm
- 7 g yeast, instant or dried (1 sachet is approx. 7 grams)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 ¼ cups plain flour
For the topping:
- 2 ¼ cups tomatoes, sliced (heirloom variety optional)
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon oregano, Greek
Instructions
- To make the dough, combine the water and yeast - cover and allow it to activate-about 10 mins. Add the olive oil, salt and stir to combine.
- Begin by adding 2 cups of flour and mixing thoroughly and then slowly adding the last cup until you have an elastic, pliable dough. If you find it is still too sticky try adding a few tbsps of olive oil.
- Knead the dough for about 5-6 mins applying lot of elbow grease. Lay the dough on your pre-oiled baking dish and proceed to stretch it out ensuring it reaches the edges of your baking dish.
- Cover the dough in cling wrap and with a kitchen towel and leave it to rise in a warm place for about 45 mins-1 hour.
- Once the dough has doubled in size, combine your heirloom tomatoes, onions, olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and spread this mix evenly over the dough.
- Top with generous amounts of Greek oregano and bake in pre heated 200 deg C oven for about 40-50 mins.
- Cut up into pieces and serve warm or at room temperature.
Peter's Tips →
- I made mine in a rectangle baking dish as opposed to the traditional Greek “tapsi”. Mine measured 37cmL x 24cm W and it was 5cm deep.
- Please allow a deep baking dish to make the ladenia as it needs to rise.
Nutrition
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Souvlaki For the Soul
Kimberly says
My name is Kimberly. I am American. At 56 years old, the best 35 years were spent in Greece. I love Greece and so I dearly embrace my Greek Heritage ❤️🕊
I thank you for this recipe and I thank you for sharing your beautiful Greek soul🕊
Peter G says
Thank you Kimberly...I really appreciate your comment.
Melissa says
Hello, just wondering if you have to put dimples into the dough with your fingers before cooking, like you would do for a focaccia? It’s been years since I last made Ladenia and I have completely forgotten!
Peter G says
Yes - that's what I like to do. Thank you for asking.
Cece says
Highlight of our year when we have flavorful fresh local tomatoes. Never lasts a day.
Nicki says
Thank you for this recipe, it was delicious! Fluffy inside, gorgeous crust, lots of olive oil flavour, and the topping was fantastic. I'll definitely be making these again!
Peter G says
Wonderful to hear!