Learn how to make the best cheese bread (also called Georgian Khachapuri – ხაჭაპური) – step by step. Easy, cheese bread, with 3 types of cheese in a boat-like form with an egg in the middle – recipe that always steals the show.
Today we’re making a wonderfully easy, show-stopping recipe – Khachapuri (pronounced khach’a-p’uri) – the famous Georgian cheese bread that never fails to impress. Georgia actually has several regional versions of khachapuri, some open, some closed, each with its own twist. Some might look a bit fancier, but they all share the same irresistible combination of golden bread and melted cheese – especially when baked in a proper fire oven.
The version we’re making today is Adjarian khachapuri, native to the sun-soaked coast of the Black Sea – hence its beautiful boat-like shape. Traditionally, it’s made with a mix of local cheeses such as tangy Imeruli and stretchy Sulguni. Living on the opposite side of the Black Sea, I make do with what’s on hand – usually feta, ricotta, and mozzarella – and honestly, it turns out just as delicious every time.
If you like cheesy bread recipes be sure to check out my super simple Grissini Recipe (Mediterranean Cheese Breadsticks) or these Baked Cheese Bread Bites.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Dough
- White flour – I usually use type 00 Italian flour (like this one on Amazon), or all purpose
- Water – lukewarm water
- Fresh yeast, or instant dry yeast – personally prefer to work with fresh yeast (the one in cubes), it’s very easy to find in most European stores. However, instant active dry yeast works equally good.
- Pinch of sugar for activating fresh yeast, optional
- Pinch of salt
Filling
- Fresh ricotta cheese – or same amount of Cottage cheese
- Feta Cheese, crumbled – or same amount white cheese
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded – or substitute with shredded Cheddar cheese
- Eggs, medium size – free range, organic
How to make Georgian Khachapuri -step by step?
1st: Mix the 3 types of cheese in a bowl and set aside. Knead the dough and let rise. Divide in 4 equal parts and roll out each (should be thin, slightly longish).
2nd: Then, shape each part as a boat by rolling the dough inwards slightly. Fix the edges to one another to shape a boat.
3rd: Add cheese filling to each boat and bake until almost cooked (approx. 15 min. in my oven). Next, remove from oven and with fork make wholes in filling, then add one egg to each boat.
Bake for additional 5-10 min or until eggs are cooked. Serve warm.
Georgian Khachapuri – Easy Cheese Bread Recipe
Equipment
- 2 mixing bowls
- 1 baking tray and baking paper
Ingredients
Dough
- 420 g white flour, type 00 or all purpose
- 240 ml water
- 10 g fresh yeast, or 7g instant dry yeast
- pinch of sugar for activating fresh yeast optional
- pinch of salt
Filling
- 400 g ricotta cheese
- 100 g Feta Cheese, crumbled
- 200 g Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4 eggs, medium size
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine crumbled feta cheese, ricotta cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix well to combine and set aside in the fridge.
- Next, in a large mixing bowl combine all dough ingredients (if using dry yeast). Then (with kitchen robot) knead a soft, non-stick dough.
- Alternatively, if fresh yeast is used, add fresh yeast to a small bowl cover with 2-4 tbsp. lukewarm water , add pinch of sugar and let sit for a while until it gets bubbly. Then add to remaining ingredients and knead. Dough should be soft, not sticky, and elastic.
- Let dough rise on room temperature (23C-26C/ 73F-78F)until it doubles in size. Then, divide in 4 equal parts. Roll out a thin layer and fold the edges to shape a boat (see pics above or video).
- Then, add equal amounts of cheese filling to each boat and bake for about 15 min. in preheated oven (180C/360F).
- Bread should be almost cooked. Remove from oven and with fork make space in the filling of each boat for an egg. Add eggs and bake again (same temperature) until eggs are cooked.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Enjoy warm.
Nutrition
How to make the best Khachapuri – VIDEO
Recipe may contain affiliate links, please see full disclosure here.
this food is very delicious thank you for making this delicious recipe
thank you