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Two slices of Banitsa one on top of the other on a dark glass plate. Two forks next to the plate. Round baking dish with Banitsa in it on the background. White napkin on the side next to the plate.
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Easy Banitsa recipe: Bulgarian cheese pie

Traditional Bulgarian Banitsa. Layers of phyllo dough and yogurt-feta filling. Baked to crispy golden brown with a fluffy interior.
Course Breakfast, savory, Snack
Cuisine Bulgarian
Keyword banitsa, Phyllo
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Milena M

Ingredients

  • 400 grams yogurt 1½ cups
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 400 grams feta cheese 2½ cups
  • 4 eggs
  • 100 grams butter 1/2 cup
  • 400 grams phyllo dough sheets

Instructions

  • Oil or use malted butter to brush the bottom and sides of a round baking dish. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, combine yogurt and baking soda. The yogurt will foam up from the reaction with the soda. Add crumbled feta and eggs. Mix. Set aside.
  • Melt butter or use vegetable oil. Spread the butter over one of the phyllo sheets using a pastry brush. Then flip the sheet over the one underneath and spread about 3-4 tablespoons of the yogurt-feta mixture. Roll both sheets from the wider side, creating a log. Place on the center of the baking dish, creating a snail shape. Repeat the same process with each layer, oil/butter, flip, spread filling, and roll both sheets. Continue the snail shape with each roll starting from the end of the previous one.
  • When done, brush the top with more butter/oil, and if you have any filling left, spread it on top.
  • Bake in a preheated oven at 350F (180C) for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown on top. Enjoy hot or cold.