How To Make Bulgarian Banitsa (Kissela Banitsa)

Written by our local expert SJ

Sarah-Jane has lived in Croatia for 10+ years. SJ, as she is known, has been traveling the Balkans & beyond since 2000. She now shares her passion for traveling with her husband & kids.

Here is how to make Bulgarian banitsa – the version known in Bulgaria as “kissela banitsa.” Our recipe shows you how to make an easy dough, and while easy does take 2 plus hours – to have time to let the banitsa dough rise. 

Banitsa might be Bulgaria’s most popular traditional Bulgarian food. It is a good taste for breakfast or any other time of the day. With plenty of different variations of this popular food, you would be hard-pressed not to find one which suits your liking.

Usually, banitsa is made of eggs and cheese backed into a flaky-ish pastry that practically melts in your mouth. Some other varieties include yogurt, honey, pumpkin, spinach, and much more, so as you can see, there is a taste of banitsa for every craving.

Banitsa, sometimes written as banitza, is not only one of Bulgaria’s most famous foods but also one of its most versatile, as this can also be made in sweet varieties as well as savory. 

You can find banitsa sold in all parts of Bulgaria, where there will usually be a local or two enjoying one when you walk in. In our banitsa recipe, we’ve made it the most common way, but feel free to jazz it up with ingredients of your choosing. 

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Bulgarian Banitsa - Kissela Banitsa

Here is how to make Bulgarian banitsa - the version known in Bulgaria as "kissela banitsa." Our recipe shows you how to make an easy dough and is very easy.

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Ingredients

• 500-600 g of all-purpose flour
• 250 ml of milk
• 3 eggs (save 1 egg yolk for brushing the banitsa before baking)
• 200 g of white Bulgarian cheese (or feta cheese)
• 100 g melted butter
• 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil
• 7 g of dry yeast
• 1 tbsp. of sugar
• 1 tbsp. of salt
• ½ tbsp. white vinegar

Instructions

• Mix the milk, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Leave for 10 min
• Sift the flour. Add the milk, the eggs, the salt, and the vinegar
• Knead until the dough is soft, and add the oil. Knead and cover it with plastic wrap. Note: The quantity of the flour might vary depending on the flour and humidity. The dough should become soft and not sticky.
• Leave the dough to rise for 2 hours
• Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces, forming 4 balls.
• Roll each dough ball into a circle with a diameter of 30 cm and a thickness of about 0.5 cm.
• Put the first layer of the dough in a round baking dish approx 30 cm, and brush the dough with melted butter (you can use any shape pan if you do not have a round one)
• Sprinkle crumbles of white cheese on top of the first layer of dough
• Repeat with the following 2 layers
• Cover with the 4th layer of dough and cut the banitsa into squares
• Pour the remaining melted butter on top and in all of the spaces between each slice. Brush the top with an egg yolk
• Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 40 min

• Serve warm or cold with yogurt or the Bulgarian yogurt drink known as ayran