Sesame Gouda Khachapuri

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

A couple of weeks ago, I wandered into the kitchen with no real plan—no pizza or cheesy bread on the agenda. But the day just called for this, and it sounded too fun to resist.

I’ve made Khachapuri before. It’s basically cheesy bread with eggs mixed in, so the cheese turns into this creamy, saucy goodness. 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 thought, Why not make a sesame-crusted Gouda cheese bread? And just like that, the recipe of the day was born.

I just went for it and started putting the recipe together. Sometimes, when an idea for a dish hits me—something fun, exciting, or just different—I get totally pumped to make it happen. And this Sesame Gouda Khachapuri? Turned out amazing.

Oh, and don’t even think about skipping the chili honey butter. It takes the cheesy bread to a whole new level of delicious.

Here’s how it’s done:

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 (if you want some heat—totally 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 this custardy texture that’s just chef’s kiss.

I know it sounds a little unusual, but trust me on this. Plus, it’s an extra boost of protein!

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 of the dough up and over the cheese to form little “boats.” Don’t stress about making them perfectly oval—whatever shape they end up as will be just fine.

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

Step 4: The herbs
Toss the herbs and garlic together in a bowl, then sprinkle them over the cheese.

Bake until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. In the last 2-3 minutes of baking, add an egg yolk to each one.

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