Authentic Homemade Fatayer (Spinach & Cheese)

Fatayer are soft Middle Eastern savory pies filled with either tangy spinach or creamy cheese, baked until golden and fluffy. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or mezze.

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🛒 Ingredients

🍞 Dough (1 batch)

▢ 2½ cups all-purpose flour + 2 tbsp (divided use) 🌾
▢ 1 tbsp sugar 🍬
▢ 1 tbsp instant yeast 🧂
▢ 1 cup warm water 💧
▢ 1 tsp salt 🧂
▢ ¼ cup olive oil 🫒

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🥬 Spinach Filling

▢ 300 g frozen spinach, thawed 🥬
▢ 2 small onions, diced 🧅
▢ 2 tsp sumac 🌿
▢ 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
▢ ½ tsp salt 🧂
▢ ¼ tsp black pepper ⚫
▢ Squeeze of lemon juice 🍋

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🧀 Cheese Filling

▢ 100 g shredded mozzarella 🧀
▢ 100 g feta cheese, crumbled 🧀
▢ ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped 🌿
▢ 1 tsp nigella seeds (optional) ⚫

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

🍞 Make the Dough

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2️⃣ Mix warm water and yeast in a bowl and let sit for 2 minutes.

3️⃣ Add 1 cup of flour and sugar to the yeast mixture and mix well.

4️⃣ Cover and let rest for 10 minutes until slightly bubbly.

5️⃣ Add remaining flour, olive oil, and salt.

6️⃣ Mix and knead for 5–7 minutes until a soft dough forms. Add extra flour if sticky.

7️⃣ Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 45–60 minutes.

8️⃣ Punch down dough and divide into equal balls (~40 g each).

9️⃣ Cover and rest again for 10–15 minutes.

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🥬 Spinach Filling

1️⃣0️⃣ Thaw spinach completely and squeeze out all excess water.

1️⃣1️⃣ Heat olive oil in a pan and cook onions for 5–7 minutes until soft.

1️⃣2️⃣ Add spinach, salt, pepper, and sumac.

1️⃣3️⃣ Cook for 5 more minutes to remove extra moisture.

1️⃣4️⃣ Add lemon juice, taste, and adjust seasoning. Let cool.

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🧀 Cheese Filling

1️⃣5️⃣ Mix mozzarella, feta, parsley, and nigella seeds in a bowl.

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🥟 Shape the Fatayer

1️⃣6️⃣ Roll dough balls into thin circles or ovals.

1️⃣7️⃣ Add 1.5 tbsp filling in the center.

1️⃣8️⃣ For spinach: fold into a triangle and pinch edges tightly.

1️⃣9️⃣ For cheese: fold into a boat shape and seal edges well.

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🔥 Bake

2️⃣0️⃣ Place fatayer on a floured baking tray.

2️⃣1️⃣ Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes on the lower rack until golden.

2️⃣2️⃣ Move to middle rack and broil for 1–2 minutes until lightly browned.

2️⃣3️⃣ Remove and immediately cover with a towel to keep them soft.

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💡 Notes

• Spinach must be squeezed very dry to avoid soggy fatayer.
• Roll dough thin, as it will puff in the oven.
• Seal edges tightly so filling doesn’t leak.
• Cover after baking to keep softness and freshness.