Pita Sirnica (Bosnian Cheese Pita)

Name: Pita Sirnica (Bosnian Cheese Pita)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 lb Cottage Cheese; 11 oz Mozzarella Cheese; 7 tablespoons Melted Butter; 14 oz Phyllo Pastry; 2 Egg; Salt (to taste)

Do you want to enjoy a delicious meal and delight your family or friends with the food they haven’t tasted before? Then this recipe is for you.

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Two slices of Bosnian Cheese Pita Sirnica on a plate.

This is a tasty, easy to cook, airy dish. And I’m talking about Bosnian Cheese Pita (so-called Sirnica) or a simple name for it will be a cheese pie with phyllo pastry.

You can find different traditional names for Sirnica. It all depends on the filling.

And there are a lot of types of fillings such as cherries, meat, herbs, potatoes, or pumpkin.

The traditional Sirnica is only with cottage cheese.

For those that are obsessed with cheeses (like me), I would recommend trying this recipe with additional mozzarella.

Also, you can add other types of cheeses that you like. A good fit will be the Feta cheese.

This puff pie will surprise you because it is unique in its simplicity, but you will get excited by how tasty it is.

Just take a look at it!

Bosnian Cheese Pita with seeds in a white oven tray.

Making this Bosnian Cheese Pita will take you no more than 50 minutes to make.

Sure, you can make the dough by yourself, but this will take you a lot more of your time, and it will transform your kitchen into a mess.

Because of that, I’m going every time with Phyllo Pastry. This saves me so much time.

Just imagine how happy your loved ones will be with such a delicious surprise!

Actually, after I did this recipe for the first time, my husband was asking me all the time when I will make another Sirnica only for him.

This cheese pie will be great for everyone: both sweet tooth and salty lovers.

It all depends on your preferences and desires. This recipe is perfect for your evening if you want to impress your guests with the national food of Bosnia.

There is a huge misconception that Bosnian cheese pita is just a snack or an addition to dinner. It also can be an independent dish that can even become a complete dinner for the whole family.

If you didn’t try it yet, I highly recommend giving it a try to this delicious and airy cheese pie.

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What ingredients will you need for the Sirnica?

Ingredients for a Bosnian Cheese Pita aka Sirnica on white table.

1 lb (450 grams) of Cottage Cheese.
11 oz. (310 grams) of Mozzarella Cheese.
7 tablespoons (100 grams) of Melted Butter.
14 oz. (400 grams) of Phyllo Pastry.
2 Eggs.
Salt to taste.

How to Make Bosnian Cheese Pita Sirnica

First of all, take a bowl large enough to be comfortable for you to mix all the ingredients. Pour in it the cottage, mozzarella cheese, two eggs, and salt to taste.

Cottage and mozzarella cheese with two raw eggs in a white bowl.

Mix well all the ingredients.

Pie filling for the traditional bosnian cheese pita.

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?

Step by step guide how to roll phyllo dough for a bosnian cheese pita sirnica.

1. Take a sheet of filo pastry and spread it on the table. Grease it well with melted butter and cover it with another layer of phyllo pastry.

2. Spread the filling over the shorter edge of the dough.

3-5. Start rolling the dough like a cigarette.

6. Put the strips on the baking tray and rotate them into a spiral. Also, if you want, you can experiment with the arrangement in the tray offering different shapes.

7. Repeat these steps until you have used up all the filling and phyllo pastry.

After that, take a brush and spread evenly all the remaining butter over the entire surface of the pie.

Greasing the Bosnian Cheese Pita with melted butter.

Optionally, for extra taste and texture, you can add your favorite seeds. In my case, I used sesame, flax, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds.

Bosnian Cheese Pita Sirnica with different seeds.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the Bosnian Pita for about 35 minutes.

When the pie becomes well browned, it is ready to be served.

Bosnian Cheese Pita with seeds on a wooden table.

Before servings, let it cool down for about 10-15 minutes. Of course, if you will resist the temptation to try a slice.

Answering Your Questions:

What type of phyllo pastry should I use?

You can use either fresh or frozen phyllo pastry for this recipe. Fresh phyllo pastry can be found at specialty stores or Middle Eastern markets, while frozen phyllo pastry can be found in the freezer section of most grocery stores.

Can I substitute the cheeses with other types of cheese?

While mozzarella cheese and cottage cheese are traditionally used in Pita Sirnica, you can experiment with other types of cheese, such as feta or ricotta. Just make sure the cheese has a similar texture and saltiness.

Do I need to let the phyllo pastry thaw before using it?

Yes, if you’re using frozen phyllo pastry, you’ll need to let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using it. Do not thaw it at room temperature, as it will become too soft and difficult to work with.

Can I add herbs or spices to the filling?

Yes, you can add herbs, such as parsley or dill, or spices, such as black pepper or paprika, to the filling to enhance the flavor. Just make sure not to add too much, as the filling should be relatively simple.

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