Sigara Börek – Turkish Cheese Rolls Recipe
Sigara Boregi, also known as Turkish Cheese Rolls, are deliciously crispy and golden fried rolls filled with a savory mixture of feta and mozzarella cheeses combined with fresh parsley. These delightful snacks are wrapped in delicate phyllo dough, fried to perfection, and perfect for serving warm or at room temperature as an appetizer or snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup mozzarella, grated
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped
Pastry
- 8 pieces phyllo sheets (filo pastry)
- 1 tablespoon water (to brush the phyllo sheets)
For Frying
- ½ cup oil
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, grated mozzarella, and chopped parsley. Mix well and set aside.
- Cut the phyllo sheets: Lay out each phyllo sheet and cut lengthwise into 4 equal strips. Keep the remaining strips covered with a tea towel so they don’t dry out.
- Fill the phyllo strips: Place one strip in front of you. Put about 1 tablespoon of the cheese filling at one end of the strip. Fold the two long edges slightly inward to cover the filling, then roll the strip tightly towards the other end.
- Seal the rolls: Brush a little water on the tip of the rolled strip to seal it and place it on a plate. Cover the prepared rolls with a towel to keep them moist. Repeat with remaining strips.
- Heat the oil: In a frying pan over medium-high heat, heat ½ cup of oil until hot and ready for frying.
- Fry the rolls: Fry the rolls in batches, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan for an even fry.
- Drain excess oil: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried rolls to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the Sigara Boregi warm or at room temperature. Optionally, prepare a yogurt dipping sauce by mixing Greek yogurt with salt, red pepper flakes, and dried mint for an authentic side.
Notes
- Always cover phyllo dough sheets with a kitchen towel when not in use to prevent them from drying out.
- Secure the filling well to prevent cheese from oozing out during frying.
- Don’t overfill the rolls to avoid spillage and oil splattering.
- Be cautious of hot oil splatters if cheese oozes out while frying.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying to maintain oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
- For a simple dipping sauce, mix Greek yogurt with a pinch of salt, red pepper flakes, and dried mint.
Keywords: Sigara Boregi, Turkish Cheese Rolls, phyllo pastry, fried cheese rolls, appetizer, snack, Turkish cuisine
