Greek Meatballs (Keftedakia) in the Air Fryer

After testing the homemade fries, I couldn’t resist trying keftedakia in the Ninja Crispi  so that I can have a complete menu. Meatballs are a great test because they can easily dry out in an oven—but the air fryer kept them juicy while giving a nice light crust outside.

Ingredients:

• 500 g ground veal (or veal + pork mix)
• 1 small onion, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 egg
• 2–3 tbsp breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• A little mint (fresh or dried)
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl (don’t overmix).
2. Shape into small meatballs.
3. Lightly brush or spray with olive oil.
4. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
5. Cook on Air Fry at 180°C (360°F) for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway.

Juicy, aromatic, and super easy.

Ninja Crispi (Air Fryer) – My First Experiment!

I finally tried the Ninja Crispi for the very first time, and of course, I had to start with something familiar: Greek meatballs (keftedakia) and homemade fries (click on the links for the details). 

I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would it get the fries crispy? Would the meatballs stay juicy? But I was curious, and this felt like the perfect test.

For a first experiment, it turned out surprisingly good. The fries became golden with just a tiny amount of oil, and the meatballs stayed soft inside while holding a nice crust outside. Not bad at all for my first air fryer adventure!

This definitely motivated me to try more Greek recipes in it. Maybe kolokythokeftedes or chicken souvlaki, so stay tuned!

Serving Idea: Serve your keftedakia and fries with a squeeze of lemon, a pinch of sea salt, and a bowl of tzatziki or fresh salad on the side. A simple, familiar Greek plate—made faster and lighter.

Cantucci (Italian Almond Cookies)

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves	🔪 Skill level
★★ Easy	1 hr	~30–35	Beginner–Intermediate

Crunchy, fragrant almond cookies from Tuscany, flavored with lemon zest and honey. Traditionally, they are enjoyed dipped in Vin Santo, a sweet Italian dessert wine, but they are also perfect with coffee or tea. These cookies store well in an airtight container for weeks.

Basil Pesto (Pesto alla Genovese)

A fragrant Italian sauce made with fresh basil, garlic, nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, grilled vegetables, or as a flavorful dip. You can freeze it in cubes for long-lasting freshness.

New York Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis

🌟 Difficulty	⏱️ Time	🍽️ Serves
★★★ Intermediate	2 hr + cooling & chilling	10-12

There are few desserts as iconic and indulgent as the New York cheesecake — dense, smooth, gently tangy, and with that perfect balance between richness and simplicity. I’ve wanted to try it for a while, and I finally did… with ingredients I had on hand. The result? A creamy, luxurious cake topped with a bright raspberry coulis that cuts through the richness beautifully. Crack or no crack — it was divine!

If you're intimidated by the idea of baking a cheesecake, don't be. Just follow the steps, give it time to cool properly, and you’ll be rewarded with something truly special.

Grow Your Own Greek Kitchen: What to Plant in Your Vegetable Garden

If you love cooking Greek food, why not bring a bit of Greece into your backyard or balcony? Many ingredients used in traditional recipes are easy to grow — and even a few pots on a terrace can give you fresh herbs, vegetables, and flavor right at your fingertips.

Here’s a guide to planting your own Greek-style vegetable garden, with a few extra touches for year-round cooking and a little fun for the seasons...

Greek Chicken Gyros in the Oven

No grill? No problem! This oven-baked chicken gyros recipe gives you all the flavor of classic Greek gyros without needing a rotisserie. I make it often with chicken breasts, a bold marinade, and a clever stacking trick using skewers.

Note: This version uses a slightly richer blend of spices than what you'd usually find in ready-made gyros (which often rely mostly on salt, oregano, and garlic) — but the result is way more flavorful!

Greek Veggie Keftedakia with Zucchini & Potato

These veggie keftedakia are soft, herby, and full of summery Greek flavor. Think of them as kolokythokeftedes, but shaped like little meatballs — easy to grab, crisp on the outside, tender inside... my, they are to die for :)

Made with zucchini, potatoes, fresh spring onions, dill, and parsley, they’re a tasty option for a light meal or mezé platter. I often make them for a bbq, with a bowl of tzatziki and a Greek salad (Horiatiki).

Authentic Italian Pizza Dough (Vivian’s Version)

This classic dough yields 5 medium pizzas (∅ 20 cm) or 3 larger ones. We always save one portion to make a Nutella pizza as dessert! 

With a pizza oven like the Ooni Fyra 12 shown in photo below (https://ooni.com/), you'll get bubbly, crispy crusts in 60–90 seconds—just like a true Italian pizzeria. These ovens reach 500 °C and are ideal for thin-crust pizza cooked fast and hot (no publicity, just own one). 

A simple no-cook recipe for sauce and some pizza ideas are included below. 

Note: Bread flour or ‘00’ flour is recommended because the higher protein content develops gluten better, resulting in a chewy, elastic crust that holds up well to toppings.

Kourambiedes (Greek Christmas Almond Cookies) UPDATED

Check my Kourambiedes (Greek Christmas Almond Cookies), that I have just updated. 

Stay tuned, as I am working on my first eBook with authentic greek recipes that I will release soon.

Do not forget to leave me your comments!

Vivian’s Pudding (Walnut Cake from Tyrnavos) UPDATED

Check my Vivian’s Pudding (Walnut Cake from Tyrnavos), that I have just updated. 

Stay tuned, as I am working on my first eBook with authentic greek recipes that I will release soon.

Do not forget to leave me your comments!

Want more authentic Greek recipes? 📘 Discover my eBook here!

Portokalopita (Greek Orange Phyllo Cake) UPDATED

Check my Portokalopita (Greek Orange Phyllo Cake), that I have just updated. 

Stay tuned, as I am working on my first eBook with authentic greek recipes that I will release soon.

Do not forget to leave me your comments!

Want more authentic Greek recipes? 📘 Discover my eBook here!

Greek Salad (Horiatiki)

A refreshing summery salad, Greek salad (Horiatiki) is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, featuring ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, briny olives, and hard feta cheese, all kissed by olive oil and charmed by oregano. Perfect as a single dish in a hot summer day.

Want more authentic Greek recipes? 📘 Discover my eBook here!