Fatayer Recipe – Delicious Middle Eastern Savory Pastries
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Servings: 12 pastries
Fatayer are classic Middle Eastern savory pastries filled with spinach, cheese, or meat. Crispy on the outside and flavorful inside, they make the perfect snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet (7g) instant yeast
- ¾ cup warm water
Spinach Filling
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sumac (optional)
Cheese Filling (Optional)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup parsley, chopped
Meat Filling (Optional)
- 200g ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Gradually add yeast mixture and olive oil.
- Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
Step 2: Prepare the Fillings
Spinach Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté onion until soft.
- Add spinach, salt, pepper, and sumac. Cook for 2–3 minutes. Cool.
Cheese Filling:
- Mix feta and parsley in a bowl.
Meat Filling:
- Sauté onion until soft, add ground meat, salt, and pepper. Cook until fully browned. Cool.
Step 3: Shape the Fatayer
- Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
- Divide dough into 12 balls. Roll each into a 4-inch circle.
- Place 1–2 tbsp filling in the center.
- Fold into triangle shapes or boat shapes, pinching edges to seal.
Step 4: Bake
- Place on a lined baking tray.
- Brush with olive oil.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 5: Serve
Serve warm as an appetizer, snack, or part of a mezze platter.
Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh spinach for the best taste.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before baking for extra flavor.
- Fatayer can be frozen before baking for later use.
FAQs – Fatayer Recipe
Q1: Can I use frozen spinach?
A1: Yes, but squeeze out excess water to avoid soggy pastries.
Q2: Can I make vegan fatayer?
A2: Absolutely! Use a spinach or vegetable filling and skip cheese.
Q3: How long can fatayer be stored?
A3: Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days. Reheat in the oven before serving.
Q4: Can I prepare the dough in advance?
A4: Yes, refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bring to room temperature before shaping.
Q5: Can I bake fatayer in an air fryer?
A5: Yes, set at 180°C (356°F) for 15–20 minutes.
Similar Recipes to Fatayer
- Sambousek – Middle Eastern meat and cheese pastries
- Spinach Borek – Turkish spinach-filled pastry
- Cheese Manakish – Flatbread with cheese topping
- Middle Eastern Meat Pies – Savory baked pies with minced meat
- Zaatar Manakish – Flatbread topped with zaatar herb mix

Comments
Post a Comment