Khachapuri
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk – warmed to 105–110°F
- 1 teaspoons granulated sugar (4.2g)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
- 1 teaspoons fine salt
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 12 ounces low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella – coarsely grated
- 4 ounces feta cheese – crumbled
- 1 tablespoons unsalted butter – softened
- 1 egg – beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoons milk – for egg wash
- 1 tablespoons unsalted butter – melted (for brushing after baking)

Instructions
- 1.
In a large bowl, combine the warmed milk and sugar, then sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let stand until foamy, 5–10 minutes.
- 2.
Add the flour and salt to the bowl, then mix in the neutral oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, 8–10 minutes.
- 3.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 60–75 minutes.
- 4.
Meanwhile, make the filling: combine the grated mozzarella, crumbled feta, and softened butter in a bowl and mix into a cohesive cheese mixture.
- 5.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment. Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C) with a rack in the center.
- 6.
Turn the risen dough out and divide into 2 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball, cover, and rest for 10 minutes.
- 7.
Working with one piece at a time, roll into a 10–11 inch circle. Mound half of the cheese mixture in the center. Lift the edges up over the filling to enclose it, pinch to seal, flip seam-side down, and gently pat or roll into an even 8–9 inch round. Repeat with the second piece.
- 8.
Transfer both rounds to the prepared sheet. Cut a small steam vent in the center of each. Whisk the beaten egg with 1 tablespoon milk and brush the tops.
- 9.
Bake until deep golden with browned spots and the cheese is melted and bubbling at the vent, 12–16 minutes.
- 10.
Brush the hot breads with melted butter. Cool 5 minutes, then cut into wedges and serve warm.
Khachapuri is Georgia’s beloved cheese-filled bread, with a crisp, blistered crust giving way to a soft, tender crumb and a rich, tangy-salty cheese center. In this round, enclosed style, every slice offers a balanced bite of dough and molten cheese, making it deeply satisfying yet easy to share. Served warm, it’s both comfort food and a showcase for the nuanced flavors of brined Georgian-style cheeses.
Across Georgia, khachapuri appears in many regional forms, each with its own character. The Imeretian rendition—round and filled—became the everyday standard in home kitchens and bakeries, while eye-catching boat-shaped versions from Adjara gained fame for their tableside butter and egg. Together these variations trace a long tradition of dairy-rich breads in the Caucasus, reflecting local milk, cheesemaking, and hospitality customs that anchor the dish in Georgian identity.
