Börek

A family of baked or fried pastries made from thin layers of dough with fillings such as cheese, spinach, potato or meat.

Börek: A coiled spiral börek pastry with golden flaky phyllo, one piece cut to show the cheese and spinach filling
  • Cakes, cookies, pastries and baked goods
  • Ottoman Empire

Börek is found throughout Turkey, the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East. It is usually made with yufka or phyllo, thin sheets layered with butter, oil, milk or eggs and a filling, then baked in a large pan, rolled into cigars or coiled into spirals.

Most börek is savory and served for breakfast or as a snack with tea. Sweet versions filled with walnuts, sugar or pumpkin are made in some regions, and plain cheese börek is sometimes served with powdered sugar.

Related entries

Sources

Written by VanillaGoods in our own words from these sources. Last reviewed October 15, 2026.

  1. 5 Börek Recipes to Try at Home, GoTürkiye (Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency)