Banitsa with cheese is a beloved traditional Bulgarian pastry, known for its flaky texture and savory filling. This dish is made by layering sheets of filo dough with a rich, cheesy filling, often a combination of white cheese like feta or a Bulgarian cheese called sirene, along with eggs and yogurt. The layers of dough become golden and crispy when baked, creating a delicious contrast between the crunchy exterior and the creamy, flavorful filling inside.
Banitsa is a dish that has been enjoyed for centuries in Bulgaria and the surrounding Balkan region. It is typically served for breakfast or as a snack, although it’s often found at holiday meals or celebrations. The cheese filling provides a savory richness that pairs perfectly with the light, buttery filo dough, making each bite a satisfying experience. The addition of yogurt gives the filling a tangy depth, complementing the saltiness of the cheese.
While Banitsa with cheese is the most popular variation, there are other regional versions of banitsa that include different fillings such as spinach, pumpkin, or minced meat. However, the classic cheese-filled version remains a favorite for many, loved for its simplicity and comforting flavor. The dish is often served warm, fresh out of the oven, and is typically accompanied by a dollop of yogurt or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for added flavor.
Banitsa is versatile enough to be eaten on its own or paired with a variety of sides, such as a fresh salad, a bowl of soup, or even a cup of yogurt. Its flaky layers and savory filling make it a perfect choice for breakfast, brunch, or a light meal. And great snack option too.
Ingredients
- 500 g Filo pastry sheets Store-bought or homemade
- 400 g Bulgarian feta cheese Crumble the cheese
- 4 large Eggs Beaten
- 100 ml Sunflower oil For brushing the sheets
- 200 ml Yogurt Plain
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese with the beaten eggs and yogurt.
- Lightly grease a baking dish with sunflower oil.
- Lay one sheet of filo pastry in the dish, brush it with oil, then repeat the process with half of the remaining sheets.
- Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the layered pastry sheets.
- Cover the filling with the remaining filo sheets, brushing each with oil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
- Allow to cool slightly before cutting into squares and serving.
Nutrition
Wow, this looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it with some homemade yogurt!
Isn’t baklava the same thing? I dunno, it seems too similar. But still, my grandma would love this!
Nah, not my thing. Filo pastry is too flakey for me. I like my cheese in a sandwich, thank you.
I tried it but mine turned out soggy. What did I do wrong? 🤔
Sounds like you might have used too much yogurt or not baked it long enough! Try to check if it’s golden and crispy next time. 😊
Yum! I made it for my family and they enjoyed it! 🙌
Banitsa? What’s that? I thought this was a pie recipe. 🤷♀️ 3 stars for confusion!
Banitsa is actually a delicious Bulgarian dish! It’s like a savory pie filled with cheese. You should try it out; it’s really good!
I’ve never heard of it either, but it sounds confusing. Is it really worth the effort? 3 stars feels right for a mystery dish!
So easy, even my kids helped! 😄
I made it for a party and everyone loved it! Will make again!
That’s awesome! Banitsa is always a hit at gatherings! Did you use homemade filo or store-bought?
Never tried this dish before, but everyone loves cheese. How does it compare to lasagna?
Too many eggs for my taste. Maybe less eggs next time will be better.
I think the eggs are what make it fluffy! But everyone has their preferences, I guess.
Can you use other types of cheese? I don’t have feta.
Not sure about this…never heard of a dish like this, sounds weird!
Banitsa foreva! I love it! Makes me feel home sick!
Not bad, but mine turned out a bit soggy. Maybe I overdid the yogurt? Not sure.
Yum, I love cheese! This is my new go-to dish! 🧀
Really easy to make! Even my kids helped out with the layers.
N0t sure what went wrong, but it just didn’t taste right. Wrong cheese? Or was it the eggs? Idk.
Did you mean to put yogurt? I thought that was for dressing salads only??
This banitsa is the bomb! So easy and yum! That’s how you make a meal.
Is it really that easy? I’m skeptical about the filo pastry.
5 stars! Fantastic! Great flavor and easy to follow steps!
Great recipe but use less oil, it was too oily for me.
I used cottage cheese instead of feta, it was not that great. Should’ve followed the recipe.
This banitsa is exactly like my grandma used to make! So tasty! 😍
I didn’t have sunflowe oil, used olive oil and it was fine.
Too much oil for my taste. I might reduce it next time.
I totally get you! I prefer it with less oil too. It can be a bit greasy if overdone. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Banitsa is the best! My grandma used to make it every Sunday. Feels like home. Can’t believe I made it myself!
My grandma used to make this every Sunday! Brings back memories. ❤️
Filo pastry is so annoying to work with! Mine tore everywhere! 😩
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it! 😊
This banitsa is absolutely fantastic! I ran out of feta so used cheddar, still super yummy.
I believe the cheese must be more than just feta, it needs something extra. Any suggestions?
I tried this recipe, but my banitsa came out soggy. I think I brushed too much oil. What did I do wrong?
I don’t understand why people love these so much, it looks kinda dry?
Did you really call that Bulgarian? Real banitsa is way thicker and so much better! 😒
I tried it and the bottom got a lil soggy 😕. I think my baking dish was too deep, because the layers didn’t crisp. Flavor was good though, so I’ll adjust the pan next time.
Easy to make but tasted too eggy for me. I prefer more cheese and less egg.
I don’t know how it’s gonna taste, but it looks good! 😊
I don’t think you need yogurt. My grandma used to make it without yogurt, and it was perfect!
Not gonna lie, too much work for me. I used store-bought and still spent forever layering. Also 180°C seems low? Mine took closer to 55 minutes.
This is tasty, no doubt, but mine didn’t set like I expected. Maybe I needed to bake longer than 40 min? Also 100 ml sunflower oil felt like a lot at first, then it made sense.