Who says everything bagel seasoning is just for bagels? Sprinkle it on these Israeli cheese borekas, and watch the pastries disappear! Bring them to parties, picnics, weekly practices and games, or serve them for breakfast or brunch on Mother's Day. Father's Day too!
What are Borekas?
Borekas, boreki, börek, Burke, or bourekas are savory and delicious hand pies that are popular across the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Fillings can vary but borekas stuffed with cheese and topped with homemade everything bagel seasoning is Israeli's favorite pastime food.
The boreka dough is traditionally made from scratch, but puff pastry is a convenient substitute that simplifies the process. And who doesn't like simple recipes? For lower carb version use fillo pastry.
Like with many foods of Mediterranean, we can thank Turkey and their Ottoman Empire for these pastries.
The Ottomans, among other things, served to bring variety, freshness, color, and refinement to Mediterraneanean cuisine, which has been exported throughout the world.
It is truly a celebration of the blending of peoples, ideas, and flavors, all subtly woven together in a savory tapestry, a delight for the eyes and a feast for the mouth.
Ingredients:
For borekas, you will need these simple ingredients (everything bagel seasoning is optional):
- Puff pastry
- Feta and Mozarella cheese
- Egg
- Milk
What is in everything bagel seasoning?
- Sesame seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Dry onion flakes
- Dry garlic flakes
How to make Israeli Everything Bagel Cheese Borekas:
*Keep scrolling to get the full (printable) recipe and ingredient amounts, or click on the “Skip to Recipe” button at the top of the page.
- Make the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine feta, mozzarella, egg, and salt until well blended. Make sure to break up any large crumbles of feta with the fork.
- Prep the pastry: On a lightly floured surface, unfold puff pastry sheets. With a rolling pin, roll out each sheet to a 12x12-inch square. Cut it into thirds lengthwise and crosswise to get 9 4-inch squares, for a total of 18 squares. Brush edges of each square lightly with water.
- Fill the pastry: Place one heaping tablespoon of cheese filling into the center of each square and fold the dough over the filling in half diagonally to form triangular pastries. Firmly pinch the edges together to seal. Brush the tops of the borekas with egg wash and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning.
- Bake: Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and deeply golden, and the filling is cooked through.
Recipe notes:
- Substitute mozzarella with kashkaval or provolone cheese.
- You can use fillo dough instead of puff pastry for fewer carbs.
- Substitute homemade everything bagel seasoning with store-bought.
This recipe is adapted from the An Oddysey of Food, My Journey Back to Israel book. Shaya makes the dough from scratch and talks with great sentiment about baking these with his grandma.
I made a few changes to simplify it but the taste is still deliciously the same.
Food is the ingredient that binds us together. Borekas are easy to make with your kids or grandkids. Try new foods and build delicious memories. For inspiration, check out this Taste the Globe interactive map.
Other delicious pastry recipes to try:
- Danish Yeast Buns
- Parmesan And Sesame Buttermilk Biscuits
- Easy Bavarian Pretzel Rolls
- Soft Pretzel Corners
- Pb&J Fillo Doughnuts
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Israeli Everything Bagel Cheese Borekas
Equipment
- Rolling pin
- baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
Ingredients
Cheese Borekas
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg beaten
Egg Wash
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons milk
Everything Bagel Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- ½ teaspoon dried onion flakes
- ½ teaspoons dried garlic flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine feta, mozzarella, egg, and salt until well blended. Make sure to break up any large crumbles of feta with the fork.
- On a lightly floured surface, unfold puff pastry sheets. With a rolling pin, roll out each sheet to a 12x12-inch square. Cut it into thirds lengthwise and crosswise to get 9 4-inch squares, for a total of 18 squares. Brush edges of each square lightly with water.
- Place one heaping tablespoon of cheese filling into the center of each square and fold the dough over the filling in half diagonally to form triangular pastries. Firmly pinch the edges together to seal. With the tines of a fork, crimp the edges well.
- Make the everything-bagel seasoning by combining sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried onion and garlic flakes.
- In a small bowl, beat together the egg yolk and milk. Brush the tops of the borekas with egg wash and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and deeply golden, and the filling is cooked through. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Expert Tips
- Substitute mozzarella with kashkaval or provolone cheese.
- You can use fillo dough instead of puff pastry for fewer carbs.
- Substitute homemade everything bagel seasoning with store-bought.
- Nutrition information is approximate and meant as a guideline only.
Amy says
These look delicious, and I have no doubt they would go quickly at my house. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe at Sweet Inspiration!
Jas says
Thank you so much, Amy!
Shaquail Watkins says
Made these last Sunday but used cream cheese instead of mozzarella and they were great. Perfect for Sunday brunch.
Sheila says
Dropping by to say thank you for sharing this. My friends were so impressed as it was really good. Can't wait to do it again.
Jas says
Yay, Sheila! You made my day! So happy you made it and that everyone liked it. No better testimonial than that 😀
Rhonda says
My grandchildren and I would love the borekas. My daughter doesn't like cheese, so not so much. She does loves everything bagels. They're hard to find in our area, so I'm so glad you posted the ingredients. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
Jas says
Rhonda, the best part is that you can fill them with whatever you like. Even your daughter can enjoy them with her favorite filling 🙂
Miz Helen says
Congratulations!
Your post is featured on our Top Ten This week at Full Plate Thursday and we are pinning it to our Features Board. Thanks so much for sharing with us and enjoy your new Red Plate.
Miz Helen
Jas says
Nothing makes me happier, Miz Helen! Thank you so much. Hugs
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
These look so tasty AND easy!! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner Party! Hope your week is great.
Jas says
Thank you, Helen. They really are 🙂
frugal hausfrau says
I don’t often eat bagels, but do love that everything seasoning! I can only imagine how good that must be with the puff pastry and the cheese inside! A lovely addition to Fiesta Friday!!
Mollie
Jas says
They're quite tasty and addictive, Mollie. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
I love the ingredients in the everything bagel seasoning. It sounds silly, but never heard of the seasoning before. I know, I know! I love that these borekas are simply filled with cheese. I think it goes very well with the seasoning. These would be a huge hit at Fiesta Friday party, Jas! I hope you brought enough. Thanks for sharing!
Jas says
It's not silly, Jhuls. I love everything bagels, but never actually stopped to think if the topping is a seasoning you can make or buy, lol. Until now 😀
Marissa | Squirrels of a Feather says
Looks amazing and it's filled with CHEESE??!! My most beloved of beloveds! Saving to try for breakfast one day, thanks Jas!
Jas says
Haha, Marissa! I'm a big cheese lover myself! Thank you for stopping by!