Spinach Fatayer (Triangular Filled Pastries)

Spinach fatayer are savoury Middle Eastern hand pies, recognised by their triangular shape and bright, tangy filling. A soft yeasted dough wraps wilted spinach and softened onion seasoned with lemon and sumac, giving the pastries a sharp, aromatic lift rather than a heavy richness. They are typically served warm or at room temperature, making them useful for mezze spreads, packed lunches, picnics or casual sharing plates. The key to good fatayer is a well-drained filling and firmly sealed seams, so the pastry bakes up puffed and golden while the centre stays moist but not soggy.
Cuisine style Middle Eastern savoury baking
Flavor profile Tangy lemon and sumac • Savoury spinach and onion • Olive oil-rich dough
Techniques Kneading • Wilting and draining • Baking
Key equipment Oven • Baking tray • Rolling pin
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 2 hours

Why this recipe works

  • Soft yeasted pastry: Kneading and proofing give the dough enough strength to hold the filling while baking into a tender, puffed pastry.
  • Bright, tangy filling: Lemon juice, lemon zest and sumac cut through the richness of the olive oil dough and keep the spinach filling lively.
  • Simple ingredients, fuller flavour: Softened onion adds sweetness and depth before the spinach is seasoned with salt, citrus and sumac.
  • Good warm or cool: The pastries hold their shape well and can be served warm, at room temperature, or packed for later.

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Authenticity notes

  • Middle Eastern pastry style: Fatayer are small filled savoury pastries found across Middle Eastern and Levantine cooking, with the triangular shape especially associated with spinach fillings.
  • Sumac brings the signature tang: Sumac gives the filling its distinctive sour, berry-like acidity. Paprika can add colour, but it will not bring the same sharpness.

Timing notes

  • Let the dough guide the timing: The dough should look doubled and feel lighter before shaping; a cool kitchen may slow the rise.
  • Allow a short pause after baking: A brief cooling time helps the filling settle and makes the pastries easier to handle without losing their warmth.

Common mistakes

  • Not draining the spinach enough: Press out as much liquid as possible after wilting; excess moisture makes the pastry damp and can loosen the seams.
  • Using a wet filling: The filling should be moist but not runny. If it looks watery, drain it again before shaping.
  • Baking before the oven is hot: Wait until the oven reaches 220°C (430°F) so the dough puffs quickly and the pastries colour properly.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make the filling in advance: The spinach filling can be cooked ahead and chilled once cool. Bring it close to room temperature before shaping so it is easier to work with.
  • Freeze baked fatayer: Cool the pastries completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
  • Reheat in the oven: Reheat on a baking tray at 180°C (355°F) until piping hot throughout, using a few extra minutes if reheating from frozen.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Dough

Filling and shaping

Instructions
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  1. Put the plain flour, instant yeast and fine sea salt in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add the olive oil and lukewarm water, then mix to a shaggy dough.
  2. Knead the dough on a lightly oiled surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Return to the bowl, cover, and leave in a warm place until doubled in size.
  3. Meanwhile, finely dice the yellow onion. Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add the onion and a pinch of the fine sea salt, then cook for 8 to 10 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
  4. Add the spinach to the pan in batches and cook just until wilted. Tip into a sieve-strainer and press firmly to remove as much liquid as possible, then return to the pan off the heat.
  5. Finely grate the lemon zest, then squeeze the juice. Stir the zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice into the spinach mixture with the sumac and remaining fine sea salt, then taste and adjust with more lemon juice if you like it sharper.
  6. Heat the oven to 220°C (430°F) and line a baking-tray. Punch down the dough, then divide it into 10 equal pieces and roll each into a ball.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a round about 10 to 12 cm wide. Spoon a little filling into the centre, then pinch two sides together and bring up the third side to form a triangle, sealing the seams well.
  8. Arrange the fatayer on the tray and lightly brush the tops with a little olive oil. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until puffed and golden, then cool for 5 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Squeeze the spinach very well after wilting; a drier filling helps the seams seal and prevents soggy pastry.
  • If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, make sure the pastries are baked until piping hot throughout.

Substitutions

  • Replace half of the Plain flour with Whole wheat flour for a nuttier dough.
  • Replace Lemon with Lime for a slightly different, sharper tang.
  • Replace Sumac with Ground paprika for colour and mild warmth, though it will be less tangy.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat on a baking-tray in a 180°C (355°F) oven for 8 to 10 minutes until piping hot; freeze for up to 2 months and reheat from frozen for 12 to 15 minutes.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Yield: spinach fatayer
  • Total time: 1h 55min (40min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Middle Eastern
  • Allergens:
    Gluten Wheat
Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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