Breakfast · Brunch · Eastern European ·

Bulgarian Banitsa with Leeks and Cheese

Name: Bulgarian Banitsa with Leeks and Cheese
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Breakfast
Ingredients: All-purpose flour, 3 cups; Salt, 1 tsp; Lukewarm water, 1½ cups; Olive oil, 2 tbsp; Sliced leeks, 3 cups (white and light green parts); Butter, 1 tbsp; Feta cheese, crumbled, 8 oz; Eggs, beaten, 2; Salt and pepper, To taste; Melted butter, ½ cup; Yogurt, 2 tbsp, for topping

Enjoy this traditional Bulgarian Banitsa, a delicious pastry filled with leeks and cheese, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a savory snack.

4.8(388 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·September 22, 2025

Bulgarian Banitsa with Leeks and Cheese — Breakfast served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Dough

For the Filling

For the Assembly

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 453 kcal
Protein: 12.7 g
Carbs: 38.9 g
Fat: 28.8 g
Fiber: 2.6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2717 kcal
Protein: 76 g
Carbs: 233.5 g
Fat: 173 g
Fiber: 15.5 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
All-purpose flour 3 cups	1362	39	284	2	9
Salt 1 tsp	0	0	0	0	0
Lukewarm water 1½ cups	0	0	0	0	0
Olive oil 2 tbsp	239	0	0	27	0
Sliced leeks 3 cups (white and light green parts)	150	4	34	0.5	6
Butter 1 tbsp	102	0	0	11.5	0
Feta cheese, crumbled 8 oz	400	22	6	32	0
Eggs, beaten 2	140	12	1	10	0
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Melted butter ½ cup	815	0	0	92	0
Yogurt 2 tbsp, for topping	9	1	2.5	0.5	0.5

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Making the Dough

1
Combine flour and salt
In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
2
Add water to form dough
Gradually add the water, stirring until a dough forms.
3
Knead and rest
Knead the dough for 10 minutes until smooth. Let it rest covered for 30 minutes.

Preparing the Filling

1
Sauté leeks
Heat butter in a pan over medium heat. Add leeks and sauté until soft.
2
Cool the mixture
Remove from heat and let cool.
3
Combine filling
In a bowl, combine leeks, crumbled feta, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper.
Tip: Ensure the leek mixture is cool before combining with eggs to avoid scrambling. Use fresh leeks for a sweeter, more vibrant flavor.

How to Make Bulgarian Banitsa with Leeks and Cheese

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Roll the dough
Divide dough into six portions. Roll each into a thin circle.
2
Assemble the Banitsa
Layer dough sheets, brushing each with melted butter, and spread the filling evenly.
3
Bake the Banitsa
Roll up the filled pastry and coil into a spiral. Place in a buttered pan, top with yogurt, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes.