Description
Cheese Fatayer is a delicious Middle Eastern savory pastry featuring a soft, elastic dough filled with a flavorful blend of feta and mozzarella cheeses mixed with fresh herbs. Baked to golden perfection and optionally topped with sesame or nigella seeds, these hand pies make a perfect appetizer or snack for mezze platters or lunchboxes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or mint
- 1 egg white (optional, for binding)
For Brushing:
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
- Sesame seeds or nigella seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Add warm milk, plain yogurt, and olive oil, then mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough by hand for 8 to 10 minutes or use a stand mixer for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Make the cheese filling: While the dough is rising, combine the crumbled feta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and chopped fresh parsley (or mint) in a bowl. If desired, add the egg white to help bind the filling and mix thoroughly.
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape the fatayer: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal balls. Roll each ball into a 4 to 5 inch wide circle on a lightly floured surface. Place a heaping tablespoon of the cheese filling in the center of each circle.
- Fold and seal: Fold the edges of each dough circle over the filling to form a triangle shape, pinching the edges tightly to ensure the filling does not spill out during baking.
- Apply egg wash and add seeds: Place the shaped fatayer on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the egg yolk and milk mixture to create a shiny, golden crust. Sprinkle sesame seeds or nigella seeds on top if desired for extra flavor and texture.
- Bake: Bake the fatayer in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Remove the fatayer from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a variation, substitute the feta and mozzarella filling with akkawi or halloumi cheese for different flavor profiles.
- Cheese fatayer are excellent served warm or at room temperature, making them ideal for mezze platters, snacks, or lunchboxes.
