👉 Lobiani is a golden Georgian flatbread stuffed with a savory, buttery kidney-bean filling. It is traditionally eaten on Barbaroba (St. Barbara’s Day) in December, but Georgians love it all year round – warm, filling and wonderfully simple.
🇬🇪 What Is Lobiani?
Lobiani (ლობიანი) comes from the Georgian word lobio – beans. It is the bean-filled cousin of khachapuri. The most famous regional version is Rachuli lobiani from the Racha region, made with smoked bacon (lori) in the filling.
🍳 How to Make Lobiani
1. Make the dough. Mix the warm water with the yeast and sugar and leave for 10 minutes until foamy. Add the flour, salt and oil and knead for 8–10 minutes into a soft, smooth dough. Cover and leave to rise for 1 hour until doubled
2. Cook the beans. Drain the soaked beans, cover with fresh water and simmer for 1–1½ hours until very soft (skip this if using canned beans). Drain
3. Make the filling. Fry the onion in the butter until soft and golden. Mash the beans to a coarse purée and mix in the onion, ground coriander, khmeli suneli, salt and pepper. Let cool
4. Fill the bread. Divide the dough into 3 balls. Flatten each into a circle, place a third of the filling in the center, gather the edges over the top and pinch to seal. Turn over and gently roll into a flat round about 1 cm thick
5. Bake. Heat the oven to 220°C. Prick the tops with a fork, bake on a lined tray for 15–20 minutes until golden, then brush with butter right away
😋 Why You’ll Love Lobiani
It is cheap, satisfying and incredibly tasty – soft bread with a rich, buttery bean filling. Lobiani is also a great vegetarian alternative to meat pastries.
💡 Tips for the Best Lobiani
Mash the beans coarsely – a little texture makes the filling better.
Let the filling cool before stuffing the dough.
Roll gently so the filling doesn’t burst through.
For Rachuli lobiani, fry 100 g diced smoked bacon with the onion.
🍽️ How to Serve Lobiani
Serve warm, cut into wedges, with Georgian pickles (mzhave), fresh vegetables or a bowl of soup. Wrap leftovers and reheat in a dry pan.
❓ Lobiani FAQ
What does lobiani mean?
It comes from lobio, the Georgian word for beans.
Can I make lobiani with canned beans?
Yes – drain and rinse them well, then mash with the other filling ingredients.
Photo: Lobiani, Restaurant Aragvi by Sandra C from Canada, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped and color-adjusted by Cuisines Guide.
