Turkish-style flatbreads pan-seared until crisp and filled with a savory blend of spinach, feta, and aromatic herbs—perfect for a comforting breakfast, snack, or light meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Wholesome and satisfying: A perfect balance of earthy spinach and rich feta inside tender flatbread.
• Quick prep with big payoff: Dough rests for just 15 minutes, and the filling comes together while it rests.
• Versatile and shareable: Great on its own or paired with yogurt, salads, or dips for a fuller meal.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup warm water (plus more as needed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the filling:

• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

For cooking:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter

Directions

1. Make the dough: In a bowl, whisk flour and salt. Add warm water and olive oil, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead briefly until smooth, cover, and rest for 15 minutes.
2. Prepare filling: In another bowl, combine chopped spinach, crumbled feta, minced garlic, parsley (or dill), and black pepper; mix well.
3. Shape flatbreads: Divide the dough into 6 balls. Roll each into a thin circle, about 6–7 inches in diameter, dusting as needed.
4. Stuff & seal: Place filling on one half of each circle, leaving a small border. Fold the dough over to enclose the filling and press edges to seal.
5. Cook: Heat a skillet over medium heat and brush with olive oil or butter. Cook each gözleme for about 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown with crisp spots (thecookingfoodie.com, mycookingjourney.com, sugarspicenmore.com, bakefromscratch.com, reddit.com, meinblogland.blogspot.com).
6. Serve: Remove from pan, slice into wedges, and serve warm. Optionally pair with yogurt or salad.

Servings and timing

• Serves: 6
• Prep time: 10 minutes + 15 minutes resting
• Cook time: ~15 minutes (approximately 2–3 minutes per side)
• Total time: ~40 minutes

Variations

• Cheese blend: Combine feta with mozzarella or Turkish white cheese for a melty texture (theguardian.com, turkishfoodtravel.com).
• Add aromatics: Sauté onions with spinach before stuffing for more depth.
• Spicy twist: Mix red pepper flakes into the filling for a mild heat.
• Make ahead: Prepare and refrigerate filled gözleme; cook just before serving.
• Bake instead: For hands-off cooking, bake at 400 °F (200 °C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping once halfway (thecookingfoodie.com).

storage/reheating

• Refrigeration: Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days (thecookingfoodie.com).
• Freezing: Freeze for up to 2–3 months; thaw before reheating (thecookingfoodie.com).
• Reheat:
  • Skillet: Reheat over low-medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side to crisp.
  • Microwave: Heat in short bursts but note the crispiness may soften.

FAQs

Can I use a different cheese?

Yes—Beyaz peynir (Turkish white cheese), mozzarella, or a blend of white cheese works beautifully (mycookingjourney.com, theguardian.com).

Do I need to cook the spinach first?

Wilt raw spinach quickly in the pan to remove excess moisture, preventing soggy dough (thescranline.com).

Can I make the dough ahead?

Yes—dough can rest up to 1 hour at room temperature or refrigerate overnight. Let it warm before using.

How thin should I roll the dough?

Aim for 1–2 mm thickness—thin enough for crispness, thick enough to hold filling (bakefromscratch.com).

What if my flatbread tears?

Patch tears gently with dough scraps—the dough is forgiving and easy to mend.

Gluten-free option?

Try a gluten-free flour blend, but results may vary in texture and pliability.

How do I keep them warm before serving?

Stack cooked gözleme, cover with foil or a towel to retain warmth and moisture.

Can I brush them with something after cooking?

Yes—brush with melted butter or olive oil for extra flavor and shine.

What goes well with gözleme?

Serve with yogurt, ayran (a Turkish yogurt drink), or salads like shepherd’s salad or tomato-cucumber salsa (recipetineats.com, themediterraneandish.com, thecookingfoodie.com, turkishfoodtravel.com).

Can I add other fillings?

Absolutely! Gözleme can be filled with minced meat, potatoes, mushrooms, herbs, or even sweet fillings—a versatile flatbread (en.wikipedia.org).

Conclusion

This Stuffed Spinach & Cheese Gözleme delivers crisp, golden flatbreads filled with a flavorful spinach-feta blend—simple yet impressive for any meal. With quick prep, custom fillings, and easy reheating, it’s a versatile dish that brings the taste of Turkish street food into your kitchen. Enjoy making them for cozy breakfasts, satisfying snacks, or festive gatherings.

Print