Savory Cheese Pastries (Fatayer Jibneh)
Savory Cheese Pastries (Fatayer Jibneh)
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water, (105-115°F)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For the Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembly and Glaze
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Add the olive oil, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or in a stand mixer with a dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Alternatively, knead in a stand mixer for 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Lightly oil a clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 60 min
- 5
While the dough is rising, prepare the cheese filling. In a medium bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, finely chopped fresh parsley, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough piece into a circle approximately 4-5 inches in diameter.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheese filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, or bring three sides together to form a triangle, pinching the edges firmly to seal.
⏱️ 10 min
- 9
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 10
Arrange the filled pastries on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them. Brush the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min
- 11
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed. Serve warm.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Savory Cheese Pastries (Fatayer Jibneh)
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water, (105-115°F)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For the Cheese Filling
- 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembly and Glaze
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Add the olive oil, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or in a stand mixer with a dough hook until a shaggy dough forms.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Alternatively, knead in a stand mixer for 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Lightly oil a clean bowl. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 60 min - 5
While the dough is rising, prepare the cheese filling. In a medium bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, finely chopped fresh parsley, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough piece into a circle approximately 4-5 inches in diameter.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheese filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape, or bring three sides together to form a triangle, pinching the edges firmly to seal.
⏱️ 10 min - 9
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 10
Arrange the filled pastries on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them. Brush the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min - 11
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and puffed. Serve warm.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 375