Golden Turkish Gözleme: Spinach & Feta Stuffed Flatbread Recipe

Wandering through bustling street markets, the aroma of sizzling turkish gozleme instantly catches your attention.

These delectable flatbreads fold layers of fresh spinach and creamy feta into a crispy, golden package.

Originating from the vibrant culinary landscape of Turkey, gozleme offers a perfect balance of comfort and flavor.

Each bite delivers a delightful combination of herbs, cheese, and perfectly charred dough.

The recipe combines simple ingredients with traditional techniques that have been passed down through generations.

Skilled cooks create these savory treasures by carefully spreading ingredients and folding the dough with precision.

This mouthwatering dish promises to transport you straight to the bustling streets of Istanbul with its irresistible taste and texture.

Get ready to master a true Turkish street food classic that will become a staple in your cooking repertoire.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 6 minutes

Total Time: 36 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Turkish Gözleme (Spinach and Feta Stuffed Flatbread) Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the sturdy base for our tender, stretchy flatbread with smooth texture and reliable binding.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and helps control yeast activity during dough development.
• Lukewarm Water: Activates the flour's gluten and creates perfect dough consistency for stretching.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness, softness, and creates a delicate, pliable texture in the final dough.

• Baby Spinach: Brings vibrant green color, earthy nutrients, and delicate leafy freshness to the stuffing.
• Yellow Onion: Delivers sweet, aromatic undertones and creates a flavor foundation for the filling.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients smoothly and adds subtle fruity undertones to the spinach mixture.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the natural flavors of spinach and onions.
• Black Pepper: Introduces gentle warmth and complex spiciness to complement the filling.
• Aleppo Pepper: Contributes a mild, fruity heat with slightly smoky Mediterranean character.

• Feta Cheese: Provides tangy, creamy richness and authentic Mediterranean flavor to the gözleme filling.

Tools for Cooking Turkish Gözleme (Spinach and Feta Stuffed Flatbread)

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for preparing and kneading dough, mixing ingredients.
• Flour sifter or fine mesh sieve: Perfect for evenly distributing flour without lumps.
• Rolling pin: Key tool for rolling out thin, uniform dough circles.
• Bench scraper or large chef's knife: Helps divide dough into equal portions.
• Non-stick skillet (11 inches): Critical for cooking gözleme to golden perfection.
• Clean kitchen towels: Used for covering dough and keeping gözleme moist.
• Sheet tray: Great for holding prepared gözleme before cooking.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for portioning filling accurately.

Step-by-Step Guide to Turkish Gözleme (Spinach and Feta Stuffed Flatbread)

• Flour Foundation

The foundation of this delightful Turkish treat starts with soft, silky flour sifted into a spacious mixing bowl. Create a small crater in the center and sprinkle a touch of salt. Pour lukewarm water and olive oil into this crater, gently blending ingredients until a soft, slightly rough dough emerges.

• Dough Transformation

Transfer the dough onto a flour-dusted surface and knead lovingly. Watch the mixture transform into a smooth, elastic ball. Drizzle with olive oil, wrap in a damp towel, and let it rest peacefully for 20 magical minutes.

• Filling Creation

Combine fresh spinach and chopped onions in a generous bowl. Massage olive oil, salt, and Aleppo pepper into the vegetables, allowing flavors to mingle and dance. Crumble feta cheese throughout, creating a vibrant, tasty mixture.

• Dough Shaping

Divide the rested dough into six equal portions. Roll each piece into a whisper-thin circle, stretching the dough carefully to create delicate rounds.

• Gözleme Assembly

Spread the spinach mixture across half of each dough circle. Fold the empty side over, creating a beautiful half-moon shape. Seal edges carefully, ensuring no filling escapes.

• Cooking Magic

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook each gözleme until golden brown patches appear, flipping gently to achieve perfect color and crispness.

• Serving Moment

Brush cooked gözleme with olive oil and serve warm. Pair with a fresh salad or enjoy solo. Celebrate this Turkish culinary delight with a hearty “Afiyet Olsun!”

Flavor Options for Turkish Gözleme (Spinach and Feta Stuffed Flatbread)

• Dough Flexibility: Work with room temperature dough to ensure easier rolling and stretching, preventing tough or cracked gözleme surfaces.
• Filling Power Boost: Experiment with protein-rich additions like ground lamb, shredded chicken, or scrambled eggs to create more substantial variations of this traditional flatbread.
• Cheese Adventure: Replace feta with alternative cheeses like halloumi, beyaz peynir, or mozzarella for different flavor profiles and textures that complement the spinach.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute wheat flour with gluten-free flour blends or almond flour for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring the dough remains soft and pliable during preparation.
• Spice Exploration: Play with regional Turkish spice blends like pul biber, sumac, or za'atar to add unexpected depth and complexity to the traditional spinach and feta filling.

Serve Turkish Gözleme (Spinach and Feta Stuffed Flatbread) Like a Pro

• Tasty Sidekick Companions: A crisp Greek salad with cucumber, tomatoes, and olives complements the gözleme perfectly, adding fresh and tangy notes to each bite.
• Dipping Delight: Prepare a zesty yogurt sauce with garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs like dill or mint to enhance the savory spinach and feta flavors.
• Wine Pairing Wonder: Choose a light, crisp white wine like Assyrtiko from Greece or a Turkish Narince to balance the rich, cheesy filling and elevate the dining experience.
• Casual Picnic Pivot: Pack these gözleme for a delightful outdoor lunch, wrapping them individually in parchment paper for easy transport and enjoyment.

How to Keep Turkish Gözleme (Spinach and Feta Stuffed Flatbread) Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover gözleme in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each flatbread individually with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Prepare extra gözleme batches and freeze them uncooked. Stack flatbreads between wax paper layers, seal in freezer bags, and store for maximum 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator before cooking.
• Reheating Magic: Revive cold gözleme by using a skillet or griddle. Warm each side for 1-2 minutes with a light brush of olive oil to restore crispiness and bring back original delicious flavors.
• Lunch Prep Hack: Pack gözleme in lunch containers with a small side salad or yogurt dip. These flatbreads travel well and taste fantastic at room temperature, making them perfect for work or school meals.

Savory Turkish Gzleme

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 36 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Turkish gzleme celebrates Mediterranean flavors with delicate spinach and creamy feta wrapped in a crisp, golden flatbread. Savory layers of fresh ingredients provide a delightful culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 3 ⅓ cup (473 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 4 packed cup roughly chopped baby spinach leaves
• 1 cup drained and crumbled feta
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsps olive oil, plus more for brushing
• salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ tsp Aleppo pepper or pul biber, or more to your liking
• 2 tbsps olive oil

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Sift flour into a mixing bowl, create a central cavity, and add salt, lukewarm water, and olive oil. Blend ingredients with fingertips until a cohesive dough forms.
2. Kneading and Resting: Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Massage with olive oil, cover with a damp cloth, and let rest for 20 minutes.
3. Filling Creation: Combine spinach and onions in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, black pepper, and Aleppo pepper. Massage to soften vegetables and distribute flavors.
4. Feta Integration: Incorporate crumbled feta into the vegetable mixture. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
5. Dough Portioning and Shaping: Divide the rested dough into six portions. Shape each into a ball and roll out into ultra-thin, 10½-inch circles.
6. Filling and Folding: Spread filling evenly across half of each dough circle, leaving a narrow border. Fold the uncovered half over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Seal edges tightly.
7. Cooking Process: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook gözleme, flipping every minute, until golden brown patches develop on both sides.
8. Finishing Touches: Brush cooked gözleme with olive oil and wrap in a clean towel to maintain warmth. Serve immediately or at room temperature, accompanied by a crisp salad.

Notes

• Master Dough Texture: Sifting flour and gentle fingertip blending create a silky, cohesive dough with perfect elasticity.
• Vegetable Massage Technique: Thoroughly rubbing spinach and onions with oil and spices intensifies flavor absorption and softens ingredients.
• Thin Rolling Precision: Apply consistent pressure when rolling dough to achieve translucent, even thickness for authentic gözleme texture.
• Sealing Strategy: Press edges firmly when folding to eliminate air pockets and ensure a tight, professional seal preventing filling leakage.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Turkish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg