🇬🇪 Khabizgina: Ossetian-Style Khachapuri with Cheese & Potatoes

Khabizgina is a traditional Ossetian-style khachapuri filled with a rich mixture of cheese and potatoes. It is a warm, comforting, and hearty dish that is popular in the Caucasus region and also loved in Georgia. While classic Georgian khachapuri is usually made mainly with cheese, khabizgina has a softer and more filling texture because of the mashed potatoes mixed into the cheese filling.

This dish is perfect for family meals, festive tables, or anyone who wants to explore authentic Caucasian and Georgian-style cuisine. The dough is soft and fluffy, while the filling is creamy, rich, and satisfying. Once baked, khabizgina is brushed with butter, which gives it an even more delicious taste and a beautiful golden finish.

ℹ️ About Khabizgina

Khabizgina is often described as Ossetian khachapuri. It is usually prepared as a round flatbread filled with cheese and potatoes. The combination of soft dough, melted cheese, and mashed potatoes makes it different from other types of khachapuri.

It is a simple but very flavorful dish. In many homes, khabizgina is served warm, straight from the oven. It can be eaten as a main dish, as a side dish, or as part of a larger traditional table.

📋 Recipe Information

• ⏱ Preparation time: 120 minutes

• 🍽 Servings: 5

• 🍳 Difficulty: Medium

• 🍽 Category: Georgian Cuisine / Caucasian Cuisine

🛒 Ingredients

🥔 For the filling:

• 500 g – Fatty cheese

• 500 g – Boiled potatoes

• To taste – Butter (for brushing after baking)

• To taste – Salt (if needed)

🌾 For the dough:

• 800 g – Flour

• 2 cups – Warm water or warm milk

• 1 tablespoon – Dry yeast

• 3 tablespoons – Oil

• 1/2 teaspoon – Sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon – Salt

👩‍🍳 How to Make Khabizgina

1. Prepare the Dough Base

Start by preparing the dough. In a large bowl, mix warm water or warm milk with sugar, salt, dry yeast, and about two cups of flour. Stir the mixture well, then gradually add the remaining flour.

2. Knead and Rise

Knead everything into a soft and elastic dough. To make the dough easier to work with, lightly oil your hands while kneading. Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and leave it in a warm place until it rises.

3. Create the Filling

While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Mash the boiled potatoes until smooth, or pass them through a grinder for a finer texture. Add the cheese and mix well until the filling becomes even and creamy. If the cheese is not salty enough, add a little salt.

4. Shape the Khabizgina

Divide the filling into five equal parts. Once the dough has risen, divide it into five equal balls as well. Take one piece of dough and flatten it slightly. Place one portion of the cheese and potato filling in the center. Carefully gather the edges of the dough around the filling and seal it well. Then gently flatten and roll it into a round bread, making sure the filling is evenly spread inside.

5. Bake and Finish

Make a small indentation in the center with your finger. This helps steam escape while baking. Place the khabizgina on a baking tray and bake it in a preheated oven at 250°C until it becomes golden and fully baked. When it is ready, remove it from the oven and brush the top with butter while it is still hot. This makes the bread softer, shinier, and more flavorful.

🍽 How to Serve Khabizgina

Khabizgina is best served warm, when the dough is soft and the cheese filling is still creamy. It goes well with fresh herbs, Georgian pickles, tomato and cucumber salad, or traditional sauces.

It can be enjoyed as a comforting homemade meal or served as part of a Georgian-style feast. For travelers visiting Georgia, khabizgina is a great dish to try if you want to discover more than the most famous types of khachapuri.

✨ Why You Should Try Khabizgina

If you love khachapuri, khabizgina is definitely worth trying. It has the familiar warmth of Georgian cheese bread, but the potato filling makes it even softer and more satisfying. It is simple, filling, and full of traditional Caucasian flavor.

Khabizgina is a beautiful example of how Georgian and regional cuisines are connected through shared ingredients, homemade bread, cheese, and warm hospitality.