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Cheese Fatayer (Levantine Savory Hand Pies) Recipe

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4.1 from 14 reviews

Cheese Fatayer are delicious Levantine savory hand pies filled with a flavorful mixture of mozzarella, feta, fresh parsley, and mint. These soft, golden pastries are perfect for snacks or appetizers and feature a crisp, lightly chewy dough baked to perfection.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
  • Yield: 12 standard-sized fatayer

Ingredients

Dough

  • 3 cups All purpose flour (420 grams)
  • 2 ¼ tsp Instant yeast (7 grams)
  • 1 tbsp Sugar (12.5 grams)
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt (5 grams)
  • ½ cup Water, warmed (120 grams)
  • ½ cup Milk, warmed (120 grams)
  • ¼ cup Olive oil (53 grams)

Cheese Filling

  • 1 ½ cups Mozzarella, shredded (340 grams)
  • 1 ½ cups Feta, crumbled (340 grams)
  • ¼ cup Parsley, fresh, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp Mint, fresh, finely chopped

Topping

  • 1 Egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 1-2 tbsp Sesame seeds (black and/or white, untoasted)

Instructions

  1. Mix: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and kosher salt. Add warm water, warm milk, and olive oil. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on medium speed until a ball of dough forms, about 5-7 minutes. If sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time until manageable.
  2. Rise: Lightly oil the dough ball to prevent drying and cover with a tea towel. Place it in a warm spot to rise for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
  3. Prepare Cheese Filling: While the dough rises, mix shredded mozzarella, crumbled feta, chopped parsley, and chopped mint in a bowl until well combined.
  4. Divide and Shape: Punch down the risen dough and divide into 12 equal pieces for standard size or 18 for mini fatayer. Shape each piece into a tight ball, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes to relax the gluten.
  5. Flatten: Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Using a rolling pin, flatten each dough ball into a ¼ inch (0.6 cm) thick circle. Place them on parchment-lined baking sheets in a single layer. Flip each disk upside down so the sticky side is up to help with sealing later.
  6. Fill and Shape: Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the cheese filling into the center of each dough circle. Pinch opposite edges together to form a diamond or boat shape pocket, sealing edges tightly to prevent filling leakage during baking.
  7. Egg wash: Brush the dough edges with beaten egg to enhance browning and stickiness. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the edges.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the dough turns golden brown and the cheese melts. Watch closely to avoid burning. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Use warm water and milk to activate the yeast properly for a good rise.
  • Ensure the dough is well sealed to prevent cheese from leaking out while baking.
  • You can substitute part of the milk with yogurt for a tangier dough flavor.
  • Adjust the quantity of herbs to taste for a milder or stronger flavor.
  • Fatayer can be frozen after shaping, before baking. Bake directly from frozen, adding extra few minutes to baking time.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Levantine
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://recipeteach.com/cheese-fatayer-levantine-savory-hand-pies-recipe/