Flaky Feta & Herb Phyllo Bake: A Savory Greek-Inspired Delight

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

💡 Tip: Using a rectangular baking dish makes it easier to achieve uniform layers.

In a large bowl, combine the crumbled feta, ricotta cheese, eggs, chopped dill, chopped parsley, lemon zest, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the filling light.

Carefully unroll the phyllo dough. Keep the sheets covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out as you work.

💡 Tip: Work efficiently; phyllo dries out quickly. If a sheet tears slightly, it's okay, especially in the bottom layers.

Lay one sheet of phyllo in the prepared baking dish. Brush it generously with melted butter. Layer another sheet on top and brush with butter. Repeat this process until you have a base of 8-10 buttered phyllo sheets.

💡 Tip: Ensure the phyllo edges extend slightly up the sides of the dish for a rustic border.

Spread the cheese and herb mixture evenly over the layered phyllo base.

💡 Tip: Ensure the filling is spread to the edges for consistent flavor in every bite.

Top the cheese filling with the remaining phyllo sheets, layering them one by one and brushing each with melted butter. You should use about 8-10 sheets for the top layer.

💡 Tip: For a more textured top, you can gently crumple the last few phyllo sheets before buttering and layering them.

Tuck the overhanging edges of the phyllo dough into the sides of the baking dish to create a neat border. Brush the entire top surface generously with the remaining melted butter.

💡 Tip: Scoring the top layers of phyllo with a sharp knife before baking can help create distinct pieces and prevent the top from puffing up unevenly.

Sprinkle the top evenly with sesame seeds, if desired.

💡 Tip: Sesame seeds add a lovely visual appeal and a subtle nutty crunch.

Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the phyllo is deeply golden brown and crisp, and the filling is set and bubbly.

💡 Tip: If the top is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking.

Let the bake cool for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set properly.

💡 Tip: Allowing it to rest ensures cleaner cuts and prevents the layers from separating too much.