Description
Cheese Fatayer are delicious Middle Eastern savory pastries filled with a blend of feta and mozzarella cheese, mixed with fresh parsley. These golden, triangular baked treats are perfect as appetizers or snacks, offering a soft and flavorful dough wrapped around a cheesy filling. Simple to prepare and bake, they bring authentic Middle Eastern flavors to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¾ cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Filling
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For brushing
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar. Gradually add warm water and olive oil while stirring, until a soft dough forms. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Make the cheese filling: In a separate bowl, mix together the crumbled feta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and chopped fresh parsley until well combined.
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheet: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape the fatayer dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 10 to 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a small circle on a lightly floured surface.
- Fill and shape the pastries: Place a spoonful of the cheese filling in the center of each rolled dough circle. Fold the edges up around the filling to form a triangular shape, pinching the corners firmly to seal the fatayer well.
- Brush with egg wash: Using a pastry brush, coat the tops of each fatayer with the beaten egg to give them a beautiful golden color when baked.
- Bake: Arrange the fatayer on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the cheese fatayer cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- You can add a pinch of za’atar or sumac to the cheese filling for a flavorful twist.
- Cheese fatayer are best served warm but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain freshness.
- Ensure the corners are well sealed to prevent the cheese filling from leaking during baking.
- Use warm water to activate the yeast properly for a good rise.
