Fatayer are middle eastern little pockets filled with all sorts of fillings. Savory fillings like spinach, meat or cheese are the most popular. Fatayer are usually have triangular or boat-like shape. Very tasty filled with almost anything you want, but this feta, and mint combination makes the Fatayer irresistible.
How to make fatayer dough?
Fatayer dough is so easy to make, it really does not require any special skills. A yeast dough is made for fatayer and you leave it to rise. Roll, fill and cut that's it. I like adding dry milk to most of my doughs simply because it makes the dough more tender and soft.
- In your mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt yeast and dry milk mixing well.
- Add oil and mix. Add water gradually until the dough comes together.
- knead by hand for another 3-4 minutes until you have a nice soft dough.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover and let it double in size.
How to make fatayer cheese?
- Make the filling, in this case it is cheese, parsley, dry or fresh mint and one egg to hold everything together.
- Take the dough out, punch and divide into two parts. Roll first part into a rectangle.
- Spread half the filling along the longer side of the rectangle and start rolling from the far side to you until it forms a log.
- Divide each log into 8 equal parts.
- Brush each part with oil.
- You can bake like this or with a wooden spoon press in the middle to make a nice fan like shape. Bake until top is golden brown.
Notes:
- Fatayer can take different shapes, the most common ones are boat and triangular ones, but today I've prepared my Fatayer in a new interesting shape. You can use the same dough and form your fatayer however you like.
- The filling is also so tasty, it is a combination of feta cheese, parsley, and dried or fresh mint, the exact ratio is up to you, there is no right or wrong here I recommend tasting the filling before adding the egg.
- You can use any other kind of cheese like mozzarella, ricotta, or any other kind that you feel will fit your taste. For us we preferred using feta crumbles which are dry and have a pleasant tartness that when combined with mint and parsley comes out very appealing to everyone in my family.
- Although homemade is the best but if you are pressed in time or do not want to make the dough from scratch you can use store-bought pizza dough or even biscuit dough.
Fatayer are soft and fluffy, they are perfect as a snack or lunch, they are also very common as a side dish or a starter in the holy month of Ramadan.
Look how chubby these are 🤗. These are dangerous, dangerous by all means..... I've warned you.
Related Recipes
- Spinach fatayer are a type of savory pastry that are commonly enjoyed in Lebanese cuisine. Fluffy dough with slightly crisp exterior hugging the most delicious tart spinach filling for an enjoyable satisfying snack.
- Sambusa or Samosas are triangular shaped pastry filled with spicy vegetables or meat mixture. Very popular through the Middle East, India and many other countries. Here is an easy samosa recipe for snacking or as a party appetizer.
If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.
Cheese Fatayer
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ Tablespoon yeast.
- ½ Tablespoon sugar.
- 3 Tablespoon dry milk.
- ¼ cup olive oil.
- 1 cup warm water.
For the cheese filling
- 1 cup feta cheese.
- 2 Tablespoon parsley- chopped.
- 2 Tablespoon dry or fresh mint.
- 1 egg
Instructions
Make the dough:
- In a large bowl or your mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt yeast and dry milk mixing well.
- Add oil and mix, then add water, mix the dough then knead by hand for another 3-4 minutes until you have a nice soft dough.
- Place in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let it rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour in a warm place.
Make the filling:
- Meanwhile prepare the filling by combining all the ingredients together mixing well.
Assemble and bake:
- Divide the dough in half. Take the first half and roll into a rectangle.
- Spread half of the filling in the rectangle then roll to form a log.
- Cut the long into 1.5 to 2 inches length, or less according to your desire. Then brush with oil.
- Using a wooden stick, make an indentation in the middle of each piece .
- Bake for 12-15 minutes in a 400F preheated oven.
- Let it cool down and Enjoy!!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Snow
Aslm Amira. Can these be kept frozen, to be baked at a later stage? I love the cute shape!
Amira
I have't tried that before Snow, however I know these can be baked and frozen, if this helps.
Anna Likousis
They look like so nice. I'll try to do them.
Thank you.
Amira
Thanks Anna <3.
Randi
Wow this looks so good! Do you think this would work with the spinach filling traditionally used in spinach pies too?!
Amira
I haven't tried that but I do not see why not. Thanks Randi and please let us know if you do.
Shaheena
It turned out great. So fluffy and yummy. Definitely will bake it again and again.
Amira
Thanks Shaheena for your feedback, I appreciate it. So glad you liked the recipe.
Mayadah
Hi Amira! I’m trying this out for Ramadan and they look delicious. I used real milk (3/4) instead of milk powder and water but it still looks the same. Thank you for the recipe I’m so excited to eat these with iftar.
Amira
So glad it worked for you Mayadah, thanks for sharing your experience with us. Ramadan Mubarak.
Amira
Love the shapes you created by rolling the dough and cutting it. It's so much faster than making each fatayer (pie) individually. Thank you!
Amira
Thanks Amira, sometimes we need to find workaround for our busy lives :).
Sana
These are so delicious, I came back the next day to make another batch! I was worried the dough was to sticky but it came out perfect when I rolled them into a log, this technique was absolutely Genius! Thank you Amira for another fool proof recipe, that absolutely was a hit!
S.K
I have tried several recipes for Fatayer and Manakeesh and I must admit that this is the best so far. I followed the recipe exactly and the outcome was excellent. Even on the next day, they remained soft and did not dry out. I tried it with mince stuffing and added mozzarella to the cheese ones to give it a bit of leathery feel.
Great recipe ! Thanks Amira.
Amira
Thank you SK for your comment and feedback, I am happy you liked it. And yes feel free to play with the filling I bet it was delicious.
Razia
Hi. Just trying to make this ans realised I haven’t got dry milk. Can I use normal milk and if so how much do I use plz. Thanks
Amira
No problem Razia, just start by 3/4 cup of warm milk instead of using dry milk and do not forget to leave out water.
Measa
Do I have to put in the egg? I am worried there will be egg smell to it.
Amira
Measa, use whatever filling you like.. this is up to you.
Yasmin
Made this today, came out delicious, kids loved it too, I added mozzarella cheese too, and fresh mint, Thank you very much for a wonderful recipe.
Amira
Yasmin so happy that you all loved it. I love recipes that kids are willing to eat :). Thank you for your feedback.
Zainab
Can we make and freeze, then thaw and put in oven? Thinking about Ramadan prepping.
Amira
Zainab, I haven't tried this before, but in all honesty I do not see why not. Make them then bake, let them cool completely, store in an airtight freezer bags for up to 2-3 months.
Umm ali
Thank you very much for the great recipe
Amira
Umm Ali, thank you dear so much for trying and rating the recipe. I am happy you've liked it.
Zuli
Fatayer with cheese and parsley
We made them today, they were sooo yummy, everyone loved them .
Thankyou
Amira
Thank you so much Zuli for trying this recipe and for the feedback, I appreciate it. Glad you like it.
Yara Salem
I always find it hard to make the traditionally shaped cheese pies. The ones shipped like boats always open up in the oven no matter how hard I tried!!! This recipe solved my problem and I am so happy with the outcome. I sprinkled mine with some Nigella seeds and they smelled beautiful. I highly recommend that.
Amira
Hi Yara, LOVE HEARING THAT!!! I am so happy the recipe solved your problem with fatayer.
John / Kitchen Riffs
Love feta, so that's what I'd use.Love the shape of these! Bet the flavor is even better. 🙂 Thanks!
Evelyne CulturEatz
I have commented 2 years ago but must comment again: I would eat a whole plate if it was in front of me!
Evelyne CulturEatz
Oh these look so good and pretty. I actually like mint in such recipes, unexpected but yeah totally works!
Amira
Mint tastes heavenly with Feta, I cannot recommend it enough 🙂
Marie
Love all the ingredients you put in Amira. This looks quite tasty. I'd love to try it someday.
Hope all is well with you and your loved ones dear.
Take care and stay blessed.
Amira
Thanks Marie, we are getting ready for Ramadan next month :). I hope you and your boy are doing great.
Marie K
Tested last weekend and I can tell you everybody asked me to do some more. Even Mister Pop enjoyed it and he does not like cheese, nor parsely / mint. Funny isn't it!
Thank you for the recipes you share with so much love and for the videos, that are a great help!
Amira
Marie, you rock :), really your comment made my day. Thanks dear for trying my recipes
Anoop
Where it will cook in oven or fire plate
Amira
Anoop, these will be baked in the oven dear.
Joanne T Ferguson
These looks delicious Amira! I would love to try these and SOON!
Amira
I hope you'll give them ago , they are very delicious.