Gozleme Recipe (Turkish Stuffed Flatbread)
Description
Gozleme is a traditional Turkish flatbread filled with a variety of savory ingredients, such as spinach, feta, potatoes, or minced meat. It’s thin, soft, and golden brown, cooked on a griddle or skillet. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or as a snack, it’s both satisfying and versatile. Making gozleme at home allows you to customize fillings according to your taste.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
¾ cup warm water (approx., adjust as needed)
1 tbsp olive oil
Common Fillings: (Choose one or mix)
Spinach & Feta: 1 cup chopped spinach, ½ cup crumbled feta, 1 small onion (finely chopped), salt, pepper
Potato & Herbs: 1 cup boiled mashed potatoes, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 1 small onion (sautéed), salt, pepper
Minced Meat: 200g ground beef or lamb, 1 small onion (chopped), ½ tsp paprika, salt, pepper
For Cooking:
olive oil
Preparation & Cooking Time
Preparation time: 20–25 minutes (including dough mixing and rolling)
Resting time for dough: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 10–15 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour
Instructions
1. Make the Dough
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
Gradually add warm water and olive oil, mixing to form a soft dough.
Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Filling
While the dough rests, prepare your filling.
For spinach & feta: sauté onions lightly, mix with spinach, add feta, season.
For potato: mash boiled potatoes, mix with sautéed onions and herbs, season.
For meat: cook minced meat with onions and spices until done.
Let filling cool slightly if hot.
3. Roll the Dough
Divide dough into 4–6 equal balls.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a thin circle (about 8–10 inches in diameter).
4. Assemble the Gozleme
Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling on one half of the rolled dough.
Fold the other half over to cover the filling. Press edges gently to seal.
5. Cook
Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat.
Brush lightly olive oil.
Cook each gozleme for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp.
Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
6. Serve
Cut into wedges and serve hot.
Optional: drizzle with yogurt or serve with a fresh salad.
Tips
Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for a few hours.
Do not overfill; thin dough cooks faster and evenly.
Use a rolling pin for an even thickness.
Nutritional Info (approx. per Gozleme, spinach & feta version)
Calories: 250–300 kcal
Carbohydrates: 30–35g
Protein: 8–10g
Fat: 12–15g
Questions & Answers
Q1: Can I use store-bought dough?
A: Yes! You can use pizza or puff pastry dough, but traditional Gozleme dough is thinner and less rich.
Q2: Can I freeze Gozleme?
A: Yes, cook completely, cool, and freeze. Reheat in a skillet for best results.
Q3: Can I make it sweet?
A: Absolutely! Fill with chocolate, Nutella, or fruit preserves instead of savory fillings.
Q4: What if I don’t have a skillet?
A: You can bake them at 200°C (400°F) for 8–10 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Q5: Can I make vegan Gozleme?
A: Yes, use spinach, potato, or mushroom fillings without cheese, or substitute with vegan cheese.