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Home » Baking

Cheese Fatayer

Published: May 8, 2020 · Modified: Mar 16, 2023 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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A Middle Eastern snack/appetizer that can be filled with any filling you want. This combination of feta, fresh parsley and mint makes these irresistible
Total time 1 hour 35 minutes
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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.

fatayer placed on a white serving plate and garnished with chopped parsley.

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.

steps for making fatayer dough
  1. In your mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt yeast and dry milk mixing well.
  2. Add oil and mix. Add water gradually until the dough comes together.
  3. knead by hand for another 3-4 minutes until you have a nice soft dough.
  4. Place in an oiled bowl, cover and let it double in size.

How to make fatayer cheese?

Step by step photos for food on a wooden table, with Fatayer and Cheese
  1. Make the filling, in this case it is cheese, parsley, dry or fresh mint and one egg to hold everything together.
  2. Take the dough out, punch and divide into two parts. Roll first part into a rectangle.
  3. 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.
  4. Divide each log into 8 equal parts.
  5. Brush each part with oil.
  6. 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.
Hand holding one of the cheese fatayer.

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 on a brown bag with some in the background.

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.

fatayer placed on a white serving plate and garnished with chopped parsley.

Cheese Fatayer

A Middle Eastern snack/appetizer that can be filled with any filling you want. This combination of feta, fresh parsley and mint makes these irresistible
4.88 from 24 votes
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Course: Appetizer, Breakfast
Cuisine: Middle East
Diet: Halal
Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 125.5kcal
Author: Amira

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

Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

Nutrition

Calories: 125.5kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3.7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 257.2mg | Potassium: 43.9mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 1mg
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This recipe originally published February 2018. Updated for some housekeeping things on May 2020.

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About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mayadah

    April 14, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Amira

      April 17, 2021 at 12:12 am

      So glad it worked for you Mayadah, thanks for sharing your experience with us. Ramadan Mubarak.

      Reply
  2. Amira

    March 30, 2021 at 4:02 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Amira

      March 31, 2021 at 4:25 pm

      Thanks Amira, sometimes we need to find workaround for our busy lives :).

      Reply
    • Sana

      October 10, 2021 at 7:19 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
  3. S.K

    November 29, 2020 at 9:24 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Amira

      November 30, 2020 at 2:44 pm

      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.

      Reply
  4. Razia

    May 05, 2020 at 6:06 am

    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

    Reply
    • Amira

      May 08, 2020 at 7:19 am

      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.

      Reply
  5. Measa

    July 12, 2019 at 1:33 pm

    Do I have to put in the egg? I am worried there will be egg smell to it.

    Reply
    • Amira

      July 12, 2019 at 7:34 pm

      Measa, use whatever filling you like.. this is up to you.

      Reply
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I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
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