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Homemade healthy no-dough leek borek with a golden cornmeal crust.

Easy No-Dough Leek Borek

A healthy, practical, and delicious borek made without any dough or phyllo. Just chop, mix, and bake!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Turkish
Calories: 358
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 medium Leeks, finely chopped (about 4 cups)
  • 1 large Carrot, grated
  • 2 large Eggs
  • ¾ cup Plain yogurt
  • ½ cup Vegetable Oil
  • 1 cup Cornmeal
  • 1 cup All-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 cup Feta cheese or white cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Paprika
  • 1 tbsp Nigella seeds (for topping)

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl: To combine the vegetables and the batter.
  • 9x13 Inch Baking Dish: Or a similar sized oven-safe tray.
  • Whisk: For a smooth, lump-free batter.
  • Spatula: To evenly spread the mixture in the pan.

Method
 

  1. Peel and grate the carrot. Finely chop the leeks as thin as possible to ensure they cook through perfectly.
    Finely chopped fresh leeks and grated carrots for a savory vegetable pie.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, yogurt, and vegetable oil until smooth.
  3. Stir in the cornmeal and all-purpose flour. Add the baking powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. Mix until a thick, smooth batter forms.
  4. Fold in the grated carrots, finely chopped leeks, and crumbled cheese. Mix well with a spatula until the vegetables are evenly coated.
  5. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish (about 10-11 inches / 26-28 cm). Smooth the top with a spatula.
  6. Sprinkle generously with nigella seeds (or sesame seeds if you prefer).
    Close-up shot of a moist and soft crustless leek and cheese borek slice.
  7. Place in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F). Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
    Freshly baked Turkish style leek cake topped with nigella seeds in a glass baking dish.
  8. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!

Video

Notes

If the leeks release too much moisture, lightly sauté them for 3–4 minutes before mixing into the batter. This prevents the börek from becoming too soft or soggy while baking.