Description
These Cheese and Spinach Fatayer are delightful Middle Eastern savory pastries filled with a flavorful blend of sautéed spinach, cream cheese, feta, and mozzarella. Wrapped in soft dinner roll dough and baked to golden perfection, they make a perfect appetizer or snack that balances creamy cheese with fresh greens and aromatic spices.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 10 frozen dinner rolls (thawed according to package instructions, e.g., Rhodes brand)
Filling
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 small shallot (finely chopped)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Egg Wash
- 1 egg (whisked)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the fatayer later.
- Thaw the dough: Follow package instructions to thaw the frozen dinner rolls thoroughly so they are ready to be flattened and stuffed.
- Sauté the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the fresh spinach and finely chopped shallot until the spinach is wilted and the shallot is tender. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
- Prepare the filling mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sautéed spinach and shallot, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and crumbled feta cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Flatten the dough: On a floured surface, take one thawed dinner roll and gently flatten it into a larger circular shape using your hands.
- Assemble the fatayer: Spoon a portion of the spinach and cheese mixture onto the center of the flattened dough circle, leaving a margin around the edges. Sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese over the filling.
- Shape the fatayer: Fold the edges of the dough inwards over the filling to form a neat triangular shape. Pinch the edges firmly to seal the fatayer and prevent leakage during baking.
- Repeat assembly: Repeat the flattening, filling, and folding steps with the remaining dinner rolls and filling mixture until all fatayer are assembled.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the prepared fatayer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for expansion during baking.
- Apply egg wash: Brush the whisked egg evenly over the top of each fatayer to give them a golden and glossy finish after baking.
- Bake: Bake the fatayer in the preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the cheese inside is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Remove the fatayer from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving, so the filling sets and the pastries are easier to handle.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach, just be sure to thaw and drain excess moisture before sautéing.
- If you prefer a stronger cheese flavor, increase the amount of feta or mozzarella slightly.
- For a vegan version, replace cream cheese and mozzarella with plant-based alternatives and use a flax egg instead of the egg wash.
- These fatayer can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Serve with a side of yogurt or tahini sauce for added richness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keywords: Cheese Fatayer, Spinach Fatayer, Middle Eastern Pastry, Savory Pastry, Appetizer, Vegetarian Snack
