Easily prepared and enjoyed with tea, coffee, or any dipping sauce, grissini can be nibbled on at any time and place. Grissini are excellent for a quick breakfast or a light snack that can be taken anywhere.

In Greek, grissini are called κριτσίνια (pronounced kritsinia).

In the islands of the Aegean Sea, they are a staple in every bakery, available in various combinations - with cheese, sesame, sweet with cinnamon… Combinations are diverse, yet the preparation remains the same.

Grissini are crispy and flavorful, with different textures and aromas that you can customize to your liking.
Below is the recipe we have tried ourselves.

Ingredients:

  • 500g of flour
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 3 tablespoons of baking powder (I used 2 packets)
  • 50ml of olive oil
  • 150 to 180ml of water
  • 50ml of cognac (or another alcoholic beverage)
  • 250g of sesame seeds
  • 200g of sunflower seeds

First, combine the dry ingredients separately, then add the liquid ingredients.
Combine the dry ingredients and mix. Then add oil, cognac, and water. Knead the dough, roll it in seeds, and shape as desired.

Baking

Bake in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for about 5 to 7 minutes or at 175 degrees Celsius for about 20 minutes, until the grissini turn golden brown and crispy.

Tips and Variations

You can add different spices, such as oregano or rosemary, for aromatic grissini. For a sweet version, omit the salt and add cinnamon and vanilla sugar. Grissini can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, remaining fresh and crispy.

Share your experience, recipes, and combinations in the comments.
Let’s enjoy!

We will add a bit of history as our special seasoning for these snacks

Grisini, known as grissini, originated in Italy in the 17th century. According to one of the most famous legends, grissini were created in 1679 in Turin by bakers who wanted to make a light and dry bread suitable for “fragile” stomachs, which eventually became popular and widely consumed.

Although grissini originally originated in Italy, they quickly became popular in other Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Spain, and Turkey, where they were perfected in various variations, with additions like sesame, olive oil, spices, or cheese.

In Greece, grissini (kritsinja) became very popular, especially on islands like Lesbos and Kos, as well as in Crete. In these islands, grissini are present in local bakeries and are often served with various types of cheeses, olives, or as a snack with beer and wine. Also, in Crete and Lesbos, grissini are made in various variations - with sesame, cheese, corn flour, cinnamon, and even in a sweet form. Our favorites are with cinnamon, so we recommend you try them.

In Greece, grissini are part of daily diet, not only in restaurants and taverns but also as a snack that people often enjoy at home or while traveling, due to their convenience and long shelf life.

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