Spinach and Feta Gözleme (Turkish Stuffed Flatbread) Recipe
Gözleme is a traditional Turkish savory flatbread stuffed with a delicious mixture of spinach, feta cheese, and spices. This recipe guides you through making the dough from scratch, preparing a flavorful filling of sautéed spinach and onions with Aleppo pepper, and cooking the filled flatbreads on a skillet to achieve a perfectly crispy, golden crust. Perfect for a satisfying snack or light meal, these spinach and feta gözleme are a delightful Mediterranean treat.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 gözleme (flatbreads) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 3 1/3 cups (473 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for brushing)
Filling
- 4 packed cups roughly chopped baby spinach leaves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper (or pul biber, or more to your liking)
- 1 cup drained and crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Combine the dough ingredients: Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle and sprinkle the salt. Add lukewarm water and 3 tablespoons olive oil into the well. Using clean hands, gradually incorporate the flour into the water and oil to form a rough shaggy dough.
- Knead the dough: Flour your countertop and turn the dough onto it. Knead the dough for about 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and semi-firm. Place the dough in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, cover with a clean damp towel, and let rest for 20 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped spinach, finely chopped onion, olive oil, salt, black pepper, and Aleppo pepper. Stir well to coat the vegetables with seasoning.
- Massage the filling: Using your hands, gently massage the mixture to soften the spinach and onions and infuse the flavors. Add the crumbled feta cheese and mix until well combined. Cover and set aside.
- Divide the dough: After resting, place the dough on a floured surface. Use a bench scraper or large knife to divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and keep them covered with a damp towel to prevent drying out.
- Roll out the dough: Take one dough ball and roll it on a lightly floured surface into a thin circle about 10 1/2 inches in diameter. It may spring back while rolling, but continue until very thin to ensure proper cooking.
- Fill the gözleme: Spread about 1/2 cup of the spinach and feta filling evenly over one half of the rolled dough circle, leaving approximately a 0.8-inch gap around the edges.
- Fold and seal: Fold the dough over the filling to cover it, forming a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly to seal the filling inside.
- Cook the gözleme: Heat a dry skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the folded flatbread onto the skillet. Cook each side for about 3-4 minutes or until golden brown spots appear and the dough is cooked through. Optionally, brush with olive oil during cooking for extra crispiness.
- Serve warm: Remove from heat and cut into wedges. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the crispy, flavorful spinach and feta filled flatbread.
Notes
- Use lukewarm water to help activate the gluten in the dough for better elasticity.
- Resting the dough is essential to make it easier to roll out thinly.
- If Aleppo pepper is unavailable, substitute with crushed red pepper flakes or smoked paprika for a mild heat and smoky flavor.
- Ensure the skillet is well-heated before cooking to prevent sticking and achieve even browning.
- Gözleme can be customized with other fillings like ground meat, potatoes, or mushrooms according to preference.
- Brush with olive oil during cooking to add flavor and help crisp the flatbread.
- Serve with yogurt or a fresh salad to complement the savory flavors.
Keywords: Gözleme, Turkish flatbread, spinach and feta, stuffed flatbread, vegetarian Turkish recipe, savory pastry, Mediterranean snack
