Crispy Turkish Gozleme Recipe: Spinach & Feta Magic

Turkish gzleme represents a beloved street food that weaves culinary magic through its delicate layers and savory fillings.

Skilled artisans craft this traditional flatbread with remarkable precision and cultural pride.

Soft wheat flour converts into a canvas for vibrant ingredients that dance across its surface.

Spinach and feta create a harmonious blend of earthy and tangy flavors that sing with each bite.

Regional variations showcase the incredible versatility of this humble yet extraordinary dish.

Families gather around sizzling griddles, watching skilled hands stretch and fold the dough with practiced movements.

Generations have passed down techniques that elevate simple ingredients into something truly extraordinary.

Why Turkish Gözleme (Spinach and Feta Flatbread) Is Flavor-Filled and Fun

• Savor Flavor-Packed Goodness: Bursting with vibrant spinach, tangy feta, and aromatic Aleppo pepper, this gözleme delivers an explosion of Mediterranean taste in every bite.
• Master an Authentic Technique: Learn a traditional Turkish cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into a stunning flatbread, giving you culinary skills to impress family and friends.
• Enjoy Quick and Easy Preparation: With straightforward steps and minimal ingredients, this recipe allows even novice cooks to create a delicious, restaurant-quality meal in under an hour.
• Experience Versatile Comfort Food: Perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a satisfying snack, these stuffed flatbreads can be served warm or at room temperature, making them ideal for various dining occasions.

Ingredients for Turkish Gözleme with Spinach and Feta

• All-Purpose Flour: A soft, versatile flour that creates a tender and stretchy base for the traditional Turkish flatbread.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dough and helps control yeast activity.
• Water: Lukewarm temperature helps activate and bind the flour for a smooth dough.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness, softness, and a subtle fruity flavor to the dough.

• Baby Spinach: Fresh, tender leaves that provide a vibrant green color and nutritious base for the filling.
• Yellow Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the spinach mixture.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté the onions and create a smooth, rich base for the filling.
• Feta Cheese: A tangy, crumbly Greek cheese that brings a salty and creamy element to the gözleme.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance the overall taste of the filling.
• Aleppo Pepper (Pul Biber): A mild, fruity Turkish pepper that adds a subtle warmth and complex flavor to the dish.

How to Make Stuffed Turkish Flatbread on the Stovetop

Step 1: Create The Dough Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and sift flour into it. Sprinkle salt in the center. Pour lukewarm water and olive oil into the middle. Use your hands to blend everything until a shaggy dough forms. Keep mixing until ingredients come together smoothly.

Step 2: Develop Dough Texture

Dust your countertop with flour. Transfer dough onto surface and knead thoroughly for 2-3 minutes. Aim for a smooth, semi-firm ball. Place dough in bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and cover with damp towel. Let rest for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare Vegetable Mixture

• Fresh spinach
• Chopped onions
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Aleppo pepper

Step 4: Enhance Filling Flavors

Massage ingredients with hands to soften vegetables and distribute seasonings. Crumble feta cheese into mixture. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 5: Portion Dough

Spread dough on floured surface. Divide into 6 equal pieces using chef’s knife or bench scraper. Roll each portion into small ball. Cover with damp towel to prevent drying.

Step 6: Roll Thin Circles

Take one dough ball and roll into extremely thin circle, approximately 10.5 inches wide. Maintain consistent thickness for even cooking.

Step 7: Add Filling

Spread half cup of vegetable mixture across one side of dough circle. Leave small border around edges.

Step 8: Create Sealed Pocket

Fold empty dough side over filling, forming half-moon shape. Press edges firmly to seal. Use water on fingers to help closure.

Step 9: Prepare Additional Gözleme

Repeat filling and sealing process with remaining dough. Place completed gözleme on tray, keeping them separated.

Step 10: Cook Golden Flatbreads

• First side: 1 minute
• Flip and cook second side: 1 minute
• Repeat flipping, cooking 45-50 seconds each side

Step 11: Final Preparation

Brush cooked gözleme with olive oil. Cover with clean towel to maintain moisture.

Step 12: Serve Deliciously

Serve warm or at room temperature. Pair with fresh salad. Enjoy your authentic Turkish flatbread!

Tips for Rolling and Sealing Perfect Gözleme

• Knead with Confidence: Work the dough thoroughly to develop gluten, ensuring a smooth, elastic texture that stretches easily without tearing.
• Roll Thin and Even: Use gentle, consistent pressure when rolling to create a paper-thin dough that crisps beautifully and cooks evenly in the skillet.
• Season Generously: Massage herbs and spices into the filling to intensify flavors and help break down the spinach and onions for a more harmonious taste.
• Seal Carefully: Press edges firmly with moistened fingers to prevent filling from leaking during cooking, creating a perfect half-moon pocket.
• Control the Heat: Maintain a medium-high temperature to achieve golden-brown crispy exterior while ensuring the inside remains soft and fully cooked.

How to Store and Reheat Gözleme Without Soggy Dough

• Refrigeration: Store leftover gözleme in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Reheating Skillet Method: Warm gözleme in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, restoring crispy exterior and soft interior.
• Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350°F, place gözleme on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and heat for 5-7 minutes until thoroughly warmed, preventing drying out.

Great Sides to Serve with Spinach and Feta Gözleme

• Pair with Crisp Ayran: Whip up a traditional Turkish yogurt drink called ayran, which perfectly balances the rich, savory flavors of the gözleme with its cool, tangy profile.
• Complement with Bright Mediterranean Salad: Create a light cucumber, tomato, and herb salad dressed with lemon and olive oil to cut through the gözleme's richness and add fresh contrast.
• Match with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied Turkish red wine like Öküzgözü, which offers fruity notes that enhance the spinach and feta's earthy flavors without overwhelming the delicate flatbread.
• Serve with Zesty Herb Sauce: Prepare a quick dipping sauce using yogurt, chopped fresh dill, mint, and a touch of garlic to provide a bright, refreshing accompaniment that elevates the gözleme's taste profile.

Creative Variations of Gözleme to Try Next

• Spicy Meat Marvel: Replace spinach with ground lamb or beef seasoned with cumin, paprika, and red pepper flakes for a hearty, protein-packed version.
• Mediterranean Veggie Voyage: Swap feta for crumbled halloumi cheese and add roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs like oregano and mint for a vibrant vegetable-based filling.
• Cheesy Mushroom Fusion: Incorporate sautéed wild mushrooms with a blend of mozzarella and parmesan, enhanced with garlic and thyme for an earthy, rich alternative.
• Sweet Breakfast Delight: Create a morning version using ricotta cheese, cinnamon, honey, and diced apples or pears for a sweet and satisfying breakfast gözleme.

Turkish Gzleme (Spinach And Feta Stuffed Flatbread) Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 36 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Turkish gözleme brings rustic countryside comfort straight to your kitchen with its hearty spinach and feta filling. Savory layers of hand-rolled dough envelop fresh ingredients, creating a satisfying meal that connects you to traditional Anatolian culinary heritage.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 ⅓ cups (473 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 4 packed cups roughly chopped baby spinach leaves
• 1 cup drained and crumbled feta
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

Dough Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for brushing

Seasoning and Spices:

• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper or pul biber, or more to your liking
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

1. Create a soft, silky dough by sifting flour into a spacious mixing bowl. Create a central cavity, sprinkle salt, and pour lukewarm water with olive oil. Gently blend ingredients using fingertips until a cohesive, slightly rough dough emerges.
2. Transfer the dough onto a flour-dusted surface. Knead methodically for several minutes, developing a smooth, elastic texture. Massage with additional olive oil, drape with a damp cloth, and allow to relax for 20 minutes.
3. Combine spinach and onions in a generous mixing vessel. Drizzle with olive oil, season generously with salt, black pepper, and Aleppo pepper. Massage ingredients thoroughly to soften vegetables and distribute flavors.
4. Incorporate crumbled feta into the vegetable mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside the fragrant filling.
5. Divide the rested dough into six uniform portions. Shape each into a compact ball and cover to prevent moisture loss.
6. Roll each dough ball into an ultra-thin circular shape, approximately 10½ inches wide. Maintain consistent pressure to achieve translucent thinness.
7. Position filling across half the dough circle, leaving a narrow border around the edges. Ensure even distribution for balanced flavor.
8. Fold the uncovered dough half over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Press edges firmly, eliminating air pockets and creating a tight seal.
9. Prepare remaining gözleme following the same technique. Arrange on a tray, preventing contact between stuffed breads.
10. Heat a wide non-stick skillet over medium-high temperature. Cook each gözleme, alternating sides every minute, until golden brown patches develop.
11. Brush completed gözleme with olive oil. Wrap in a clean towel to preserve warmth and moisture.
12. Serve immediately or at ambient temperature. Accompany with a crisp salad.

Notes

• Dough requires patient kneading to develop gluten structure for perfect texture.
• Thin rolling creates authentic crispy layers characteristic of traditional Turkish street food.
• Massaging filling ingredients helps blend flavors and soften vegetables before stuffing flatbread.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg