Cheese Borek - Peynirli Borek
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
20 pieces
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Calories
285 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Breakfast, Appetizer, Snacks
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Cuisine
Mediterranean, Greek, Middle Eastern, Turkish
Cheese Borek - Peynirli Borek
Description
Cheese Borek - Peynirli Borek brings together grated halloumi, crumbled feta, and grated kasar cheese mixed with chopped parsley, dill, and mint, seasoned with black pepper and optional chili flakes. These cheeses and herbs create a flavorful filling that contrasts with the crisp, golden filo dough outer layer. The pastry sheets are brushed with a sauce made from Greek yogurt, vegetable oil, white wine vinegar, and egg to keep them moist and add a subtle tang during baking.
The assembly involves layering and drizzling sauce over filo sheets, cutting into strips, placing filling at one end, and folding diagonally to form triangular packets. Baking at 180°C crisps the filo to a flaky crust while melting the cheese inside. The result is a textural interplay between crisp pastry and soft, savory cheese filling. Serving warm ensures the best texture and flavor.
This pastry is typical of Turkish cuisine and works well as a snack, appetizer, or part of a light meal. The balance of herbs and cheeses makes it flavorful without overpowering, and it pairs well with a simple salad or tea. The optional chili flakes add mild heat if desired.
Unbaked boreks freeze well for up to 3 months; bake directly from frozen, adding 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time. Avoid overfilling to prevent cheese leakage. Keep unused filo covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying.
Ingredients
For the Cheese Filling
- 200 g halloumi cheese (grated)
- 200 g feta cheese (crumbled)
- 200 g kasar cheese grated, or mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup parsley chopped
- ¼ cup dill chopped
- ¼ cup mint or 1 teaspoon dried mint, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes optional
For the Sauce
- ½ cup Greek yoghurt or natural yoghurt
- ½ cup vegetable oil or sunflower oil
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 egg
For the Borek
- 2 packs filo pastry (12 sheets and 250 grams each)
- sesame seeds or nigella seeds
Instructions
Preparing the Cheese Filling
- Place the feta cheese in a large bowl and crumble it with the back of a fork.
- Grate the halloumi cheese and Kasar cheese, and add them to the bowl along with chopped herbs, freshly ground black pepper, and chili flakes (if using).
- Mix them all using a fork or a spoon, and set them aside.
Preparing the Sauce
- Place the egg and yogurt in a small bowl and lightly whisk it.
- Add the oil, and vinegar, and whisk well.
Building the Borek
- Preheat the oven to 180° C (360° F).
- Place one sheet of filo on your work surface and drizzle 1-1 ½ tablespoon of the sauce, spread it evenly using a brush.
- Lay another sheet of filo on top, drizzle some more sauce, and spread it evenly. Repeat the same steps until you have three sheets of filo.
- Cut it into three equal-size strips.
- Put two tablespoons of the cheese mixture at the end of one strip. Take the opposite corner and fold diagonally over the filling, forming a triangular fold. Fold again along the upper crease of the triangle. Continue folding in this way until you reach the end of the strip.
- Brush the seam with the sauce to seal the end. Place it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet seam side down and repeat the same with the rest of the filo sheets.
- Brush the borek pieces with the rest of the sauce and sprinkle on sesame seeds or nigella seeds (or both).
- Place the baking sheet in preheated oven and bake the boreks for 20-25 minutes, until they are golden and crispy.
Notes
- You can freeze unbaked boreks for up to 3 months and bake them straight from frozen, adding 5 to 10 minutes to baking time.
- Avoid overfilling the pastries to prevent cheese filling from leaking during baking.
- Keep filo pastry sheets covered with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out while assembling the boreks.
- Each borek contains approximately 285 kcal per piece.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20pieces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 285 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 285kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 26mg | 9% |
| Sodium | 529mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 75mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 289IU | 6% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 218mg | 22% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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