Spinach Fatayer Recipe is a beloved Middle Eastern classic featuring soft, homemade dough wrapped around a tangy spinach filling seasoned with onions, lemon juice, and aromatic spices. These golden triangular pastries are popular throughout the Levant and make an excellent appetizer, snack, or light meal. Whether you’re serving them for a gathering or preparing a batch for meal prep, this Spinach Fatayer Recipe delivers authentic flavor in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and fluffy homemade dough
- Bright, tangy spinach filling with authentic flavor
- Traditional Middle Eastern recipe
- Perfect for meal prep and freezer storage
- Great as an appetizer, lunch, or snack
- Family-friendly and vegetarian
- Easy to customize with your favorite additions
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
Spinach Filling
- 2 (10-ounce) bags fresh spinach or frozen spinach
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 small tomato, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons sumac
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon seven spices
For Brushing
- 1 egg, whisked
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine ½ cup warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
- Transfer the yeast mixture to a stand mixer bowl. Add salt and half of the flour.
- Mix on low speed while gradually adding the vegetable oil, remaining milk, and the rest of the flour.
- Increase the speed and knead until a smooth, soft dough forms.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into 18–24 equal portions and roll into small balls.
- Cover and let rise for an additional 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling by chopping the spinach and placing it in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes before squeezing out all excess moisture. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and drain thoroughly.
- Mix in the onion, tomato, olive oil, black pepper, seven spices, and sumac.
- Add lemon juice immediately before filling the pastries.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll each dough ball into a 5-inch circle.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center.
- Fold the dough into the traditional triangular shape and pinch the edges tightly.
- Arrange the pastries on prepared baking sheets.
- Brush each pastry with whisked egg.
- Bake the Spinach Fatayer Recipe for 18–22 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Squeeze spinach thoroughly to prevent a watery filling.
- Add lemon juice at the last moment to reduce excess moisture.
- Bread flour creates a chewier texture, while all-purpose flour produces a softer pastry.
- Pinch edges firmly to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- Sumac is essential for authentic Lebanese spinach pie flavor.
- Add crumbled feta cheese for extra richness and texture.
Details
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Rise Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 18–24 fatayer
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Dietary Notes: Vegetarian
Notes
- Fresh spinach offers the best flavor and texture.
- Frozen spinach works well when properly drained.
- Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.
- Pair with hummus, labneh, yogurt sauce, or cucumber salad.
- The filling can be prepared one day ahead and refrigerated.
Nutrition
Approximate per serving:
- Calories: 165
- Protein: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 180mg
FAQ
What is Spinach Fatayer?
Spinach Fatayer are traditional Middle Eastern pastries filled with spinach, onions, lemon juice, and spices before being baked into a distinctive triangular shape.
Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes. Thaw completely and squeeze out all excess moisture before preparing the filling.
Why is my filling watery?
The spinach likely contains too much moisture. Always drain and squeeze spinach thoroughly.
Can I make Spinach Fatayer ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble them ahead and refrigerate before baking, or bake and reheat later.
Can I freeze them?
Absolutely. Freeze baked or unbaked fatayer for up to 3 months.
What can I serve with Spinach Fatayer?
They pair beautifully with hummus, labneh, yogurt sauce, tabbouleh, or a Mediterranean salad.
Storage
Refrigerator
Store cooled fatayer in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked or unbaked fatayer in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes until warmed through.
Similar Recipes
Spinach Fatayer Recipe
Ingredients
Dough
- 3 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
Spinach Filling
- 2 10-ounce bags fresh spinach or frozen spinach
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 small tomato finely chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons sumac
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon seven spices
For Brushing
- 1 egg whisked
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine ½ cup warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
- Transfer the yeast mixture to a stand mixer bowl. Add salt and half of the flour.
- Mix on low speed while gradually adding the vegetable oil, remaining milk, and the rest of the flour.
- Increase the speed and knead until a smooth, soft dough forms.
- Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into 18–24 equal portions and roll into small balls.
- Cover and let rise for an additional 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling by chopping the spinach and placing it in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes before squeezing out all excess moisture. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and drain thoroughly.
- Mix in the onion, tomato, olive oil, black pepper, seven spices, and sumac.
- Add lemon juice immediately before filling the pastries.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll each dough ball into a 5-inch circle.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center.
- Fold the dough into the traditional triangular shape and pinch the edges tightly.
- Arrange the pastries on prepared baking sheets.
- Brush each pastry with whisked egg.
- Bake the Spinach Fatayer Recipe for 18–22 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Fresh spinach offers the best flavor and texture.
- Frozen spinach works well when properly drained.
- Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.
- Pair with hummus, labneh, yogurt sauce, or cucumber salad.
- The filling can be prepared one day ahead and refrigerated.
Conclusion
This Spinach Fatayer Recipe combines fluffy homemade dough with a vibrant spinach filling for an authentic Middle Eastern treat. Perfect for entertaining, meal prep, or everyday snacking, these traditional pastries are flavorful, satisfying, and surprisingly simple to make at home.