Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread)

Georgian Khachapuri is made with a simple yeast dough and topped with a tangy, creamy cheese topping and a single baked egg. It’s a great breakfast or appetizer to pull apart and dip into the cheesy, eggy center!

Khachapuri is the national dish of Georgia, and for good reason! It’s a hearty, fitful dish full of fatty and cheesy flavors that no one can resist. 

No extra bread or dipping sauces necessary – you tear off pieces of the bread and dip it right into the egg and cheese in the center. It’s as fun to eat as it is to prepare!

Two cheeses are used in this delicious cheese bread: mozzarella and feta. The two together make a creamy, tangy melted cheese pool in the center.

The boat shape of the khachapuri looks tricky, but is actually very easy to form! Take a look at the video in this post for a visual guide. 

If you want to play around with different toppings, try making this Armenian Flatbread, or lavash, to customize and serve however you like!

INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS 

• Dough - A simple combination of all-purpose flour, olive oil, salt, instant dry yeast, and sugar. Using an instant yeast speeds up the process considerably as it does not have to proof first. 
• Mozzarella Cheese - It’s important to use freshly shredded cheese rather than the pre-shredded, bagged alternative. The waxy preservatives (sometimes potato starch) on the pre-shredded cheese will prevent proper melting and alter texture.
• Feta Cheese - I recommend using crumbled feta. If you’re working with a block, break off smaller pieces to scatter about. Goat cheese is your best substitute. 
• Large Eggs - If you want to use an egg wash, rather than an olive oil brushing, then keep an extra egg on standby.
• Parsley - I recommend freshly chopping this herb for your topping, but you could use the dried seasoning if fresh is unavailable. Use oregano, thyme, or rosemary as a substitute.

Khachapuri Recipe Video

It may seem daunting at first, but this Georgian bread is actually quite easy to make! To watch the process from start to finish, watch the video in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

HOW TO PREPARE KHACHAPURI DOUGH

1. Form the Dough. Add the flour, oil, salt, yeast, sugar, and water in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using a dough hook, mix on low speed for a couple of minutes before increasing the speed until the wet dough forms.
2. Let Rise. Move the dough to a large bowl greased with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm place for about an hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.

Note: I like to place the bowl in a microwave. Another neat trick is to turn on your dryer for just a couple of minutes, turn it off, and place the covered dough in the dryer with the door closed.

3. Divide and Let Rest. Place the risen dough on a floured surface. Work into two round pieces, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for another 15 minutes.

HOW TO ASSEMBLE KHACHAPURI

1. Preheat & Prep the Filling. Set your pizza stone in an oven while it preheats to 500°F. Meanwhile, combine the cheeses in a large bowl.
2. Shape the Dough. Lightly flour your work space and roll one of the dough rounds into a 10” wide, ⅛“ thick circle. Sprinkle a quarter of the cheese mixture into the center, leaving a ½“ border uncovered.
3. Form the Boat. Roll one edge of the circle a third of the way toward the center. Repeat on the other side, leaving a 3” space in the center. Pinch and twist the ends of the rolls together to create the boat shape. Spread another quarter of the cheese mixture to the center.
4. Repeat & Rise. Repeat with the second dough round as above. Let rise for a final 15 minutes.
5. Egg Wash & Bake. Brush the dough with an egg wash or with olive oil. Place the bread boats at least 3” apart on the pizza stone and bake for about 15 minutes.
6. Add the Egg. Remove from the oven. Indent the cheesy center on each bread boat with a measuring cup or bottom of a small glass. Crack an egg into the center of each bread boat and return to the oven until the egg whites set.
7. Serve!  Remove the bread from the oven, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately.

Is khachapuri Georgian or Armenian?

This dish is Georgian in origin, but is very popular in many neighboring countries. 

This includes Armenia, where it is an incredibly popular street and cafeteria food. It takes on a different, pocket-like shape that’s easy to eat on the go. It’s just as delicious!

Can you freeze khachapuri dough?

Yes. Freeze the dough after its first round of rising. It will last for up to 6 months if properly stored in an airtight container. Allow to thaw in the refrigerator before proceeding with shaping and topping the dough and following the recipe as described above.

Is khachapuri a pizza? 

Not quite. It looks a bit like a pizza, with its thick crust and cheesy topping. But it’s really just a cheese bread with an indented center.

This post, originally published on Silk Road Recipes October, 2020, was updated with new content, photos and/or video in August, 2022.

Khachapuri Georgian Cheese Bread

Khachapuri is a traditional Georgian dish. Dip this delicious bread into the fatty egg yolk and melty cheese baked right into the center!

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Bread

Cuisine: Asian, Georgian

Prep Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 598kcal

Author: Kevin

Ingredients

For the dough

• 180 g all-purpose flour (1.5 cups)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
• ¼ teaspoon sugar

For the Filling

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (See Note 1)
• 1 ¼ cups crumbled feta cheese (See Note 2)

Egg wash (optional)

• 1 large egg

Topping

• 2 large eggs
• parsley chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

For the dough

• Grease a large bowl with olive oil and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour, oil, salt, yeast, sugar and 2⁄3 cup tepid water. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients come together, about 2-3 minutes. Next increase speed and mix until a smooth, wet dough comes together, about 3-4 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to the prepared bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Set in a warm place until the dough is doubled in size, 1 hour (See Note 3).

For the filling

• Combine the cheeses, mixing well, in a large bowl and set aside.

Assembly

• Place a pizza stone in the center of the oven and preheat to 500°F.
• Pour the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide into two round pieces. Cover the pieces loosely with plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes.
• On a lightly floured pizza peel or overturned baking sheet, roll one dough piece into a 10 inch circle about 1⁄8" thick. Spread a quarter of the cheese mixture in center of the dough, leaving a 1⁄2" border all around. On one side of the circle, gently roll the dough about a third of the way toward the center. Repeat on the opposite side, leaving a 3" wide center space between the two rolls. Pinch the narrow ends of the rolls together and twist to seal. This creates the Khachapuri's boat shape. Top cheese center with another quarter of the cheese mixture, pressing down lightly.
• Repeat with remaining dough and cheese. Set the khachapuri aside, uncovered, for 15 minutes, until both are slightly puffed.
• Beat 1 egg with a teaspoon of water, then brush the dough with egg wash, or just brush with olive oil.
• Slide the breads onto the hot pizza stone, spacing them at least 3 inches apart. Bake until lightly golden brown and the cheese is melted, 14-16 minutes. Remove from oven and gently press to make an indent in center of cheese (See Note 4) and crack 1 egg into the center of each boat, keeping yolks intact. Return to the oven and continue cooking until the egg whites are just set, 3–4 minutes.
• Remove the breads, top with a sprinkle of parsley and serve hot. Break bread apart and dunk into the egg and melted cheese.

Notes

1. About 12 ounces shredded low moisture mozzarella cheese.
2. About 8 ounces crumbled feta cheese.
3. Rising Dough Tip: I often times put mine in the microwave, close the door and let it be OR another trick is to turn your EMPTY dryer on for 2-3 minutes to heat it up. When stopped and heated up, carefully place the covered bowl of dough in and close the door. DO NOT turn the dryer on again! It works like a charm.
4. To make indentation for egg: I use metal ¼ cup measuring cup or small end of a glass.

*The information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.

Nutrition

Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 190mg | Sodium: 1955mg | Potassium: 189mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 884IU | Calcium: 674mg | Iron: 3mg