Description
Cheese Fatayer are deliciously soft and cheesy Middle Eastern pastries filled with a savory blend of mozzarella and feta cheeses, enhanced with fresh parsley and black pepper. These homemade pastries feature a tender, olive oil-enriched dough that’s perfectly risen and baked to golden perfection, making them an irresistible snack or appetizer ideal for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (whole wheat flour can be used for added nutrition)
- 1 cup warm water (around 110°F)
- 2.25 teaspoons instant yeast (fresh for best results)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 cups olive oil
Cheese Filling
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 0.25 cups chopped parsley (or substitute with dill or basil)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients and Water: In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, 1 cup of warm water (around 110°F), 2 ¼ teaspoons of instant yeast, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Stir together until a soft dough begins to form.
- Knead Dough: Add ¼ cup of olive oil to the dough mixture. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic, which activates the gluten and helps the dough develop structure.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and set it in a warm place. Let it rise for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size, ensuring a light and airy texture.
- Prepare Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, combine 3 cups shredded mozzarella, 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, ¼ cup chopped parsley, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly to blend flavors.
- Shape and Fill Dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut the dough into desired shapes, spoon the cheese filling onto each piece, then seal the edges by pinching tightly to prevent leakage during baking.
- Second Rise: Arrange the filled fatayer on a greased baking sheet and allow them to rise again for 30 minutes to develop a fluffy texture.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the fatayer for 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and puffed up beautifully, indicating they are cooked through and ready to enjoy.
Notes
- For variation, substitute parsley with dill or basil in the cheese filling.
- Whole wheat flour can be used for a healthier dough option, but may affect texture slightly.
- Ensure water temperature is around 110°F to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Seal dough edges well to prevent cheese filling from leaking out during baking.
- Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
- Fatayer can be refrigerated or frozen before baking; thaw and allow to rise before baking as directed.
