Pita Sirnica (Bosnian Cheese Pita)

Craft a Bosnian Cheese Pita using cottage and mozzarella cheeses, enveloped in fine phyllo pastry, easily prepared and ready to dazzle your palate in merely 50 minutes. Perfect on its own or with a suggested topping for added flair!

I made this really tasty and simple Bosnian Cheese Pita, also known as Sirnica. It’s basically a cheese pie wrapped in phyllo pastry. Traditionally, it’s filled with cottage cheese, but I love to mix in some mozzarella too. You could even throw in feta if you’re feeling adventurous.

Despite its simplicity, this pie is a game-changer. It’s deliciously airy and the flavors are just right. Trust me, you’ve got to try it for yourself!

Just take a look at it!

Whipping up a batch of Bosnian Cheese Pita never takes me more than 50 minutes. I used to think about making the dough from scratch, but honestly, it’s a lot of work and a surefire way to mess up my kitchen. So now, I stick with Phyllo Pastry—it’s a real time-saver.

The first time I made this, my husband couldn’t stop raving about it. He keeps asking when I’m going to make it again just for him. It’s a hit with everyone, really, whether they prefer sweet or savory.

So, if you haven’t tried making this delicious, airy cheese pie yet, I say go for it. It’s easier than you think and so worth it.

What ingredients will you need for the Sirnica?

• Cottage Cheese makes the pie filling creamy and a bit tangy, which is delicious. If you’re not into cottage cheese, ricotta is a great swap—it’s got a similar texture and a nice, subtle sweetness.
• Mozzarella Cheese is what gives you that awesome stretchy cheese pull. If you want to mix it up, provolone has that same meltiness, while Gouda throws in a smoky flavor.
• Melted Butter helps make the phyllo pastry golden and crispy. No butter? No problem. Ghee works too, for a nuttier taste, or olive oil if you’re looking for something lighter.
• Phyllo Pastry creates that crunchy texture that contrasts so well with the creamy filling. If you’re out, puff pastry is a good backup—it’s flakier but just as tasty.
• Eggs keep everything together, giving some structure to the cheese mix. If eggs are off the table, a flaxseed meal and water combo can do the job just fine.

How to Make Bosnian Cheese Pita Sirnica

Start by grabbing a big bowl where you can comfortably mix everything together. Throw in the cottage cheese, mozzarella, a couple of eggs, and a pinch of salt.

Give that mix a good stir until it’s all nicely combined.

After that, you have to fill the phyllo sheets with the filling and roll them. Check below all the necessary steps on how to do that.

How to fill & rotate the Sirnica Phyllo Pastry?

Next up, you’ll need to get your phyllo sheets ready for action. Lay a sheet flat on your work surface and brush it generously with melted butter. Then, place another sheet on top.

Spoon some of the cheese mixture along the shorter edge of the pastry.

Now, roll it up tightly, like you’re making a giant cigarette.

Arrange these rolls on a baking tray, curving them into spirals or any shape you fancy. Keep going until you’ve used up all the cheese mix and phyllo sheets.

With a pastry brush, coat the top of the pie with any butter you’ve got left.

If you want to add a bit more flavor and texture, sprinkle on some seeds—I like using sesame, flax, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds.

Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake the pie for around 35 minutes, until it’s golden brown and crispy.

Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. If you can wait that long, that is!

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