Balkan Filo Cheese Pie (Banitsa / Gibanica) – A Flaky, Cheesy Delight!

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This golden, crispy, layered cheese pie is a beloved Balkan classic—buttery filo dough wrapped around a savory, tangy cheese filling, baked until perfectly flaky. Whether called Banitsa (Bulgarian) or Gibanica (Serbian/Croatian), this dish is a comfort food staple for breakfast, brunch, or as a hearty snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Irresistibly Crispy & Flaky – Layers of buttery filo perfection
✅ Cheesy & Tangy – Feta and ricotta (or sirene) create the best filling
✅ Versatile – Enjoy hot or cold, for any meal
✅ Great for Sharing – A crowd-pleaser at gatherings

Ingredients

For the Filling:

  • 2 cups crumbled feta cheese (or Bulgarian sirene)
  • 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup plain yogurt or sour cream
  • ¼ cup sparkling water or milk (for fluffiness)
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Optional: 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley

For the Layers:

  • 1 lb (about 16 sheets) filo dough, thawed
  • ½ cup (1 stick) melted butter or oil

For Topping (Optional):

  • 1 egg yolk, beaten (for glaze)
  • Sesame seeds or yogurt drizzle

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Filling

  1. In a bowl, mix feta, ricotta, eggs, yogurt, sparkling water, and pepper until smooth.

Step 2: Layer the Filo & Cheese

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Layer 1 filo sheet in the dish, brush with melted butter, and repeat 3-4 times.
  3. Spread ⅓ of the cheese mixture over the filo.
  4. Repeat layers (filo + butter + cheese) until all filling is used, ending with 4-5 buttered filo sheets on top.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

  1. Score the top into squares or diamonds.
  2. Brush with egg yolk (if using) and sprinkle sesame seeds.
  3. Bake 35-45 minutes until golden and crisp.

Step 4: Rest & Serve

  1. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing.
  2. Serve warm with yogurt or ayran (Balkan yogurt drink).

Tips for the Best Cheese Pie

🔹 Keep Filo Covered – Prevent drying with a damp towel.
🔹 Extra Flaky? Use sparkling water in the filling.
🔹 Add Meat – Layer with ground beef or spinach for variation.

Serving Suggestions

  • Enjoy with tomato cucumber salad or pickled peppers.
  • Perfect with boza (fermented grain drink) or black tea.

Final Thoughts

This Balkan Filo Cheese Pie is crispy, cheesy, and utterly comforting—just like grandma used to make!

Добър апетит! (Dobŭr apetit!) 🧀🥟🔥

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