Banitsa is a beloved Bulgarian baked pastry, often eaten at breakfast and celebrations. Layers or spirals of fine filo enclose a filling of salty Bulgarian white brined cheese (sirene), eggs and yogurt. This home version uses purchased filo pastry so the focus stays on its delicate crisp crust and soft savory center.
Banitsa is a beloved Bulgarian baked pastry, often eaten at breakfast and celebrations. Layers or spirals of fine filo enclose a filling of salty Bulgarian white brined cheese (sirene), eggs and yogurt.
- Prep
- 25 minutes
- Cook
- 35–45 minutes
- Serves
- 8 slices
- Cuisine
- Bulgarian
- Course
- Breakfast or savory pastry
The recipe
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Ingredients
Quantities change with servings; cooking times stay the same.
Equipment
- 28–30 cm baking pan, pastry brush, mixing bowl, oven, digital scale and thermometer. paid link
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Method
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Preheat and prepare. Heat oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a 28–30 cm baking pan; cover unused filo sheets with a lightly damp clean cloth to prevent drying.
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Make the cheese filling. Whisk eggs and yogurt together, stir in crumbled sirene and optional baking soda, and season lightly with pepper. Do not add salt until tasting because sirene is already salty.
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Assemble the layers. Lay one filo sheet in the pan, brush thinly with melted butter, and add another sheet. Scatter a little filling; repeat the layering and filling until all ingredients are used, finishing with pastry lightly brushed with butter.
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Score carefully. Tuck any overhanging pastry into the pan and score the top gently into eight portions without cutting to the base.
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Bake. Bake 35–45 minutes until the pastry is evenly golden and the egg-and-cheese center is fully set and reaches at least 75°C.
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Rest and serve. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with plain yogurt.
Chef’s notes
- Keep filo covered while assembling or it becomes brittle and cracks.
- A thin, even coating of butter gives a crisp crust without making the layers greasy.
- Sirene is a salted brined cheese; adjust seasoning to the brand.
Substitutions and Variations
- Feta can replace sirene when needed, though its acidity and texture may differ.
- A spiral banitsa can be formed by rolling filled filo into long coils and arranging them in the pan.
- Plain full-fat yogurt produces a more rounded filling than sweetened or flavored yogurt.
Storage and Food Safety
Cool promptly and refrigerate at 4°C or below within 2 hours. Use within 2 days, reheating slices in an oven until at least 75°C at the center. Avoid prolonged room-temperature display.
Serving Suggestions
Plain Bulgarian yogurt, ayran or a simple tomato salad.
Serve with
Plain Bulgarian yogurt, ayran or a simple tomato salad.
Allergens
Wheat (gluten), egg and milk. Check purchased filo and cheese for other declared allergens.
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