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Cheese Fatayer Recipe

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4.4 from 142 reviews

Cheese Fatayer is a delightful Middle Eastern savory pastry filled with a flavorful blend of mozzarella, feta, and aromatic spices. This recipe features a soft, slightly sticky dough enveloping a rich cheese filling, baked to a golden perfection for a warm and comforting treat perfect for snacks or appetizers.

Ingredients

Cheese Filling

  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon nigella seeds

Dough

  • 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, additional as needed
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 cup lukewarm water
  • 1/2 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt

For Assembly

  • Milk or heavy cream, for brushing

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, instant yeast, lukewarm water, sugar, olive oil, and plain yogurt to a large mixing bowl. Bring the dough together using a hook attachment on a stand mixer or a wooden spoon/rubber spatula. You can also knead it by hand. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes until you have a soft, elastic dough that is slightly sticky but manageable. Add flour by tablespoons if dough is too sticky. Transfer it to a greased bowl, cover, and let it rest in a warm place for an hour until doubled in size.
  2. Prepare the Cheese Filling: While the dough rests, combine mozzarella, feta, parsley, beaten egg, onion powder, dried mint, Aleppo pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and nigella seeds in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
  3. Shape and Fill Fatayer: Preheat the oven to 475°F (246°C). Punch down the dough to release air and divide it into 12 equal portions. Pinch each portion into a tight ball and stretch it lengthwise into an oval or football shape. Place a generous amount of cheese filling in the center of each piece.
  4. Form Boat Shape: Fold the left and right sides of the dough over the filling, then pinch the top and bottom edges to create a boat-like shape. Place each shaped fatayer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the edges with milk or heavy cream to achieve a golden crust.
  5. Bake: Bake the fatayer in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the cheese filling is bubbly and melted.
  6. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes to firm up slightly. Serve the cheese fatayer warm for the best flavor and texture experience.

Notes

  • If the dough is too sticky while kneading, add flour one tablespoon at a time until manageable.
  • Use lukewarm water when mixing the dough to activate the yeast properly.
  • Brush with milk for a lighter crust or heavy cream for a richer, golden crust.
  • For added flavor, you can sprinkle some extra nigella seeds or sesame seeds on top before baking.
  • These fatayers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen before baking for longer storage.

Find it online: https://oliviabakes.com/cheese-fatayer-recipe/