Fatayer Shapes

Fatayer are a delicious Middle Eastern pastry that can be served as either a snack or a meal. They are easy to make and can be shaped in various ways.

Once the dough has proofed, take one portion and flatten it into a circle. Place a tablespoon of filling on the circle.
Boat-shaped fatayer

Fatayer are savory Middle Eastern pies that can be stuffed with all sorts of fillings. They can be triangular or boat-shaped and are the perfect appetizer, mezze, or finger food. These pies are also delicious served at breakfast with muhammara, Kuymak (red pepper dip), and Cilbir – Turkish poached eggs.

To make these fatayer, prepare the dough. The dough should be medium soft so that it can be shaped easily. If it gets too soft, add a few tablespoons of flour to the dough to prevent it from sticking.

Once the dough is ready, divide it into small balls and roll each ball out into a long oval shape. Place 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of the cheese or spinach filling in the center and fold the edges over the filling to create a boat-shaped pastry. Pinch the ends together and transfer the shaped fatayer to a baking sheet. Brush the fatayer with egg wash and bake until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
Triangle-shaped fatayer

The combination of a simple dough with a filling of spinach, meat or cheese makes these savory treats the perfect snack for any occasion. You can even make them ahead of time and freeze them to serve later.

The simplest version is a triangle-shaped fatayer, but the dough can also be shaped into half moons or spirals. This recipe uses a traditional Lebanese dough that is soft and fluffy after baking, yet holds its shape well when shaped into a triangle or other shapes.

To make the dough, combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and set it aside to rise. While the dough is resting, prepare the filling. Many recipes call for lemon juice, but it’s a good idea to use ground sumac instead, as this substitute adds flavor and reduces the amount of liquid that causes the seams to open during baking.

To shape the fatayer, place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each dough circle. Bring two sides together and pinch to close. Then fold the remaining side up to form a triangle. Continue with the remaining circles, brushing with egg wash as you go.
Oval-shaped fatayer

The dough for these fatayer should be medium soft, as this will allow you to roll and shape it well. If it is too hard, add a tablespoon of milk or water to the mixture. Also, make sure to cook the spinach for 5-7 minutes in order to evaporate any moisture that might impact the dough or make it open up while baking.

To prepare the filling, mix the cooked spinach with the sumac and salt and pepper. Then, add the feta cheese and mix well until it is all combined. To shape the fatayer, roll each ball of dough into an oval. Place a tablespoon of the spinach filling in the center and fold over it to form a boat-like shape. Pinch the ends to seal.

After shaping each fatayer, brush them with the egg wash and bake in a preheated oven until golden brown. They can be served warm or at room temperature and are great for a snack or light meal. If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in the freezer until you are ready to eat them again.
Square-shaped fatayer

A traditional Lebanese savory pastry, fatayer are traditionally shaped into triangles or squares and filled with cheese or spinach. They’re very easy to make and are a great snack with tea. You can also serve them for breakfast.

The dough is made with a high water-to-flour ratio, which makes it sticky, allowing it to stay together when shaping the fatayer into their classic shapes. A good amount of oil helps the dough to retain its stickiness and prevent it from drying out during baking.

To make the spinach filling, first cook the onions over medium heat in a skillet for 5-7 minutes to evaporate the excess water from the onion. Then, place the spinach in a sieve and let it drain for 20 minutes to remove any excess moisture. Next, mix the drained spinach with the rest of the ingredients and set aside to cool.اشكال فطاير