Sesame Gouda Khachapuri

Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread) is a classic Georgian dish that’s a lot like pizza. This version is made with fresh pizza dough, coated in sesame seeds, and stuffed with three kinds of cheese, herbs, garlic, and a touch of honey. The dough is shaped into an oval and baked until the cheese gets all gooey. And here’s the best part—each one gets an egg on top that you swirl right into the cheese. So good!

A little while ago, I wandered into the kitchen and just knew I had to make this. I wasn’t planning on pizza or cheesy bread—the day just called for it, and it sounded like fun.

I’ve made Khachapuri before. It’s basically cheesy bread with eggs mixed in, so the cheese turns almost saucy. Think of it like pizza, but cheesier (and honestly, better).

I had a bunch of Gouda in the fridge that needed using up, so I figured, why not make a sesame-crusted Gouda cheesy bread? And just like that, today’s recipe was born.

I just dove right in and started putting it together. Sometimes, when a dish idea sounds fun or just different enough to be exciting, I can’t wait to make it happen. And this Sesame Gouda Khachapuri? Turned out so good.

Oh, and don’t even think about skipping the chili honey butter—it takes the cheesy bread to the next level.

Here are the details

Ingredients

Feta cheese
Gouda cheese
Provolone or spicy cheddar cheese
Eggs (2 whole eggs + 2 egg yolks)
Fresh pizza dough (homemade or store-bought)
Meyer lemon (optional)
Fresh cilantro, parsley, and dill
Garlic
A lot of sesame seeds

Honey Butter Ingredients

Salted butter
Honey
Smoked paprika
Harissa sauce (for spice, optional)
Chili flakes
Flaked sea salt

Special Tools

You’ll need two baking sheets, a few mixing bowls, and, of course, an oven.

Steps

Step 1: Mix the cheese
Combine all three cheeses—feta, Gouda, and provolone—with one egg. The egg gives the cheese a slightly custardy texture.

I know it sounds a little unusual, but trust me, it works! Plus, it adds a nice protein boost.

Step 2: Roll the dough
Lightly flour your surface and work with room-temperature pizza dough. Divide it in half, then roll or stretch each piece into an oval or round shape. Place them on baking sheets and pile the cheese mixture in the center.

Now, fold the edges up and over the cheese to form little “boats.” Don’t worry about making them perfectly oval—whatever shape they end up as will be just fine.

Step 3: Add the sesame seeds
Brush the dough edges with a beaten egg and sprinkle generously with raw sesame seeds.

Step 4: The herbs
Toss the herbs with garlic, then scatter them over the cheese.

Bake until the cheese is fully melted. In the last 2-3 minutes, add an egg yolk to each one.

Step 5: The honey butter
I made mine spicy with chili flakes and harissa. Just mix everything together—butter, honey, smoked paprika, and a pinch of sea salt.