Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread)

Posted: July 9, 2025 by lena gladstone | Updated: August 4, 2025

This Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) is my favorite excuse to eat cheese, bread, and eggs all in one bite. It’s warm, gooey, and impossible to resist fresh out of the oven.

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A cheesy bread Khachapuri filled with melted cheese and a gooey egg, topped with herbs, rests on parchment beside a knife, chili flakes, and a bowl of herbed oil.

Why This Recipe Works

This Khachapuri recipe is one of my favorite ways to turn simple ingredients into something unforgettable. Here’s why I keep coming back to it:

Cheesy, Buttery, and Totally Indulgent: The mix of feta, ricotta, and mozzarella melts into the most luscious filling. Add an egg and a pat of butter, and it becomes pure comfort in every bite, and reminds me of this Spicy Shakshuka.
Fun to Make and Even Better to Share: Shaping the dough into boats and filling them up feels special every time. It’s the kind of dish that brings people to the table.
Perfect for Breakfast, Brunch, or Dinner: I love it for a cozy morning, but it’s just as good for dinner with a crisp salad or soup on the side, a lot like my Potato Galette.
Totally Customizable: I stick with the classic cheeses but love adding green onions, chili crunch, or Everything But The Bagel seasoning for extra flavor.
A Showstopper Without the Fuss: Even with store-bought dough, it looks impressive and tastes incredible. Serve it warm and gooey, and it’s always the first thing to disappear.

Oval-shaped Khachapuri, a cheesy bread filled with gooey egg and melted cheese, garnished with herbs, served on parchment paper with a knife and a small dish of spices.

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A baked Khachapuri filled with cheese and a gooey egg, garnished with herbs, sits on parchment paper next to a knife and small bowls of chopped chives and crushed red pepper.

Ingredients

Pizza Dough – This forms the chewy, golden crust that surrounds the rich cheese filling. You can use store-bought or homemade dough, just be sure to let it rest at room temperature so it’s easy to roll out.
Mozzarella, Feta, and Ricotta Cheeses – This trio creates a melty, tangy, and creamy filling. Mozzarella gives stretch, feta adds saltiness, and ricotta brings softness and body to the mixture.
Eggs – Cracked into the center of the hot cheese just before the final bake, eggs add richness and form a silky, decadent topping when stirred into the warm cheese and butter.
Unsalted Butter – Added just before the final bake, butter melts into the filling for extra richness and flavor, giving the finished dish a luscious, indulgent texture.
Onion Salt or Dried Dill – These simple seasonings add herby, savory depth to the cheese mixture. Onion salt adds a subtle bite, while dill brings a hint of brightness.
Everything But The Bagel Seasoning – Sprinkled on the crust after brushing with egg wash, this seasoning adds crunch and flavor with garlic, sesame, and poppy seeds.
Red Pepper Flakes or Chili Onion Crunch – These spicy toppings give the dish a little heat and contrast the richness of the cheese and egg.
Green Onion – Finely chopped green onions add a pop of freshness and color just before serving.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

Instructions

Rest the Dough: Place cold pizza dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour. Punch down the dough to release air bubbles.
Make Dough Balls: Divide the rested dough into 2 or 4 equal portions, depending on whether you want large or individual khachapuri.

Roll it Out: Roll each dough ball into a thin oval, about 9–10 inches long and ⅛ inch thick.
Shape on Sheet: Place each rolled oval onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon the cheese filling down the center, leaving a ½-inch border.

Form the Boat: Roll the long edges of the dough inward toward the filling and pinch both ends to form a sealed boat shape.
Add Egg Wash: Brush the dough edges with egg wash and sprinkle with Everything But The Bagel seasoning if desired.

Fill the Center: Mix together mozzarella, feta, ricotta, and onion salt (or dill), and add it to the center of each boat.
Bake: Bake at 350ºF (375ºF if using a still oven) for 20 minutes. Remove, add an egg and butter to the center, and bake 5 more minutes until the egg is just set. Serve warm.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

Freshly baked khachapuri, this cheesy bread is filled with melted cheese and topped with a gooey egg and chopped herbs, served on parchment paper.

Video: Watch Me Make This Recipe

Substitutions & Variations

Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:

Cheese Swaps: I like using a blend of mozzarella, ricotta, and feta for a creamy, tangy, melty mix. But you can swap in goat cheese for extra tang, cheddar or Monterey Jack for more bite, or even cream cheese for a richer base. Just keep the mozzarella as your foundation for stretch and melt.
Topping Ideas: I love topping the dough with Everything But The Bagel Seasoning for crunch and flavor, but you can also try chili flakes, sliced jalapeños, or Trader Joe’s Chili Onion Crunch for heat. Green onions and dill make great fresh garnishes.

A hand breaks off a piece of Khachapuri—baked bread filled with gooey egg and herbs—placed on parchment paper next to bowls of seasoning and a knife on a round cutting board.

What to Serve with Khachapuri

Breakfast & Brunch

Khachapuri is rich, warm, and perfect for a cozy brunch or special breakfast. Serve it with Turkish Eggs, Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches, or a crisp Kale Caesar Salad to balance the richness of the cheese and egg.
If you’re hosting brunch, set it out with Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes or Croissant French Toast Bake to give guests a mix of sweet and savory options.

Other Sides

This warm, gooey bread pairs beautifully with lighter vegetable sides. Try it with Garlic Parmesan Asparagus, sautéed mushrooms, or blistered cherry tomatoes to complement its richness.
A small bowl of lemon-dressed arugula, cucumber-dill salad, or shaved fennel salad adds brightness to the plate.
For something heartier, serve it with Grated Beet Salad, Sautéed Broccolini, or Grilled Zucchini and Squash.

FAQs

What is Khachapuri?

Khachapuri is a traditional Georgian cheese bread shaped like a boat and filled with melty cheese, butter, and a runny egg in the center. It’s rich, comforting, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a shareable appetizer.

Can I use store-bought dough?

Yes. Store-bought pizza dough works great. Just make sure to let it rest at room temperature for at least one hour before using so it becomes easier to shape and stretches without tearing.

Is it okay to skip the egg?

Yes. While the egg is traditional and adds richness, you can omit it if you prefer. The dish will still be creamy and cheesy, and just as delicious.

How long does Khachapuri keep?

It’s best enjoyed hot and fresh from the oven while the cheese is gooey and the crust is crisp. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to preserve the texture.

More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Spicy Bacon and Eggs Breakfast Burritos – Savory and filling Spicy Bacon and Eggs Breakfast Burritos are stuffed with roasted hatch chilies, Mexican cheese, eggs, and bacon.
Baked Prosciutto and Egg Breakfast Tart – Boursin cheese, eggs, prosciutto, and arugula salad are topped on a buttery puff pastry to make up this Baked Prosciutto and Egg Breakfast Tart.
Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict – Rich bites of salmon, homemade hollandaise, and perfectly poached eggs make up this luscious Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict recipe.
Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe – Layers of tater tots, eggs, sausage, and cheese make up this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole Recipe.

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!