Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) with Pizza Dough

If you enjoy a slice of pizza occasionally, you will definitely appreciate Khachapuri – soft, cheese-filled bread that originated in the country of Georgia. Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) with Pizza Dough is my version of the famous national dish. It is made with store-bought pizza dough and features a mixture of melted cheese topped with an egg yolk and butter.

Just like pizza, Khachapuri has endless variations in dough preparation, shapes and fillings. I was inspired by an unusual boat-like shape of the Adjaruli Khachapuri that represents Georgian sailors, their boats sea and sun.

The bread crust is traditionally torn from the side and dipped into the melty cheese and yolk as you eat. It’s a rather rich dish and I suggest sharing one boat between 2 people to cut on calories. Pre-made pizza dough helps reduce prep time. On a weekend, you can skip breakfast and serve Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) with Pizza Dough for brunch.

Cheese to use

Traditionally, Khachapuri is made form Sulguni cheese – brined Georgian cheese with a moderately salty flavor. In North America, you can find this cheese in stores that specialize in Eastern European foods. Alternatively, you can substitute a blend of 1) Mozzarella & Feta (to add salty tang) or 2) Mozzarella & Brie/Ricotta (less salt) for the Georgian Sulguni.

Preparation

To follow my recipe, make the Khachapuri boats from store-bought pizza dough. Fill them with the blend of grated Mozzarella and crumbled Brie cheese. Bake in the oven until cheese melts and the crust becomes golden-brown. Take Khachapuri out of oven, add an egg yolk and slide back into the oven, baking for a few more minutes ensuring the yolk remains wobbly. Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. Serve with butter.

Servings

This recipe assumes 6 servings – share 1 boat between 2 people to cut down on calories.

Love Pizza? Here is a quick and easy recipe of homemade pizza:

Cast-Iron Pizza with Store-Bought Dough

Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) with Pizza Dough

5 from 3 votes

Recipe by The Minty Tomato Course: Appetizers, BreakfastCuisine: GeorgianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

415

kcal

Resting time

1

minute

Total time

40

minutes

Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) with Pizza Dough is my version of the famous national dish. It is made with store-bought pizza dough and features a mixture of melted cheese topped with an egg yolk and butter.

Ingredients

• 400-450 grams 400-450 Store-bought Pizza dough

• 1/3 cup 1/3 Flour

• 2-2.5 cup 2-2.5 Mozzarella cheese, shredded

• 1 cup 1 Brie cheese, crumbled

• 3 3 Egg yolks

• 2 tbsp 2 Unsalted butter

• 2 tbsp 2 Grains/seeds – optional

• 2 tbsp 2 Chives – optional

Directions

• Prepare the ingredients.
• Let the pizza dough rest on the counter at room temperature for about an hour
  
• Preheat the oven to 450° F.
  
• Divide the dough into three pieces.
  
• Flour the counter or large cutting board and roll out one piece of dough into a rectangle about 6-7 inches x 9-10 inches and about ¼ inch thick. Stretch the corners of the dough as needed.
  
• Line up some shredded mozzarella along each long side of the dough rectangle. Roll each long side over its line of cheese creating a raised rim and forming a boat shape with a well in the center. Pinch and twist the opposite ends on the short side so the dough boat is sealed. Repeat with 2 other pieces of dough.
  
• Using a spatula, carefully transfer dough boats onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Spread remaining Mozzarella evenly into the wells of every boat.
  
• Add crumbled Brie on top of the Mozzarella.
  
• Brush the Khachapuri boats’ rims with 1 tbsp of melted butter and sprinkle with grains/seeds if desired.
  
• Bake for about 15-17 minutes or until the crust is golden-brown and cheese has melted and is bubbling slightly.
  
• Take Khachapuri out of the oven and using a teaspoon make a small well in cheese in the center of each boat. Add egg yolks in the cheese wells and slide back to the oven.
  
• Bake for only 2-3 minutes so the yolks remain wobbly.
• Remove from the oven and add 2 tbsp of unsalted butter broken into pieces on top of cheese.
• Garnish with chives, if desired. Serve immediately.
• Tear the bread crust from the side and dip into the melty cheese and yolk as you eat.

Notes

• Substitute Ricotta for the Brie cheese
• Share one boat between 2 people to cut on calories.

Nutrition information is estimated and is not intended as a professional nutritionist’s advice.