Bourekia is a traditional pastry that is usually made with thin and flaky phyllo dough and filled with cheese. The small, semicircular pastries come in sweet or savory versions, and they’re typically deep-fried in oil until golden brown. The sweet version most commonly uses a combination of fresh, unsalted anari cheese, a type of soft, slightly sweet Cypriot whey cheese, cinnamon, and sugar for stuffing the phyllo dough pockets.

Rosewater or citrus blossom water (usually orange blossom water) is often used to enhance the filling’s flavor, and the sweet pastries are either dusted with cinnamon sugar or soaked in honey or syrup. Savory bourekia, on the other hand, may contain various ingredients including ground meat, cheese (such as halloumi, graviera, or feta), spinach, or mushrooms.

There’s also a Lenten version of bourekia (known as bourekia nistisima) which calls for stuffing the phyllo dough with halva.