Simply Lebanese

Meat Fatayer (Fatayer Lahme)

Meat Fatayer
  • Prep Time
    30 mins.
  • Cook Time
    25 mins.
  • Serving
    18
  • Ready In
    1 hour
Fatayer are one of the most beloved staples of Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly in the Levant. These triangular-shaped savory pies are incredibly versatile and can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, from spinach (fatayer bi sabanekh) to cheese, and of course, seasoned meat. They are perfect as an appetizer, a mezze item, or even as a satisfying snack.
Meat Fatayer

What Are Fatayer?

Fatayer are one of the most beloved staples of Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly in the Levant. These triangular-shaped savory pies are incredibly versatile and can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, from spinach (fatayer bi sabanekh) to cheese, and of course, seasoned meat. They are perfect as an appetizer, a mezze item, or even as a satisfying snack.

The version Iโ€™m sharing with you today is a classic meat fatayer recipe, also known in Arabic as fatayer bi lahme. It features a flavorful filling of spiced ground beef and toasted pine nuts, all wrapped in soft, homemade dough. These pies are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make at home.

Meat Fatayer

Homemade Dough

If youโ€™ve never made homemade dough before, donโ€™t worryโ€”itโ€™s simpler than you might think! My dough recipe starts with active dry yeast, warm water or milk, and sugar to activate the yeast. Once it has proofed and doubled in size, I add salt, oil, and flour to create a soft, pliable dough thatโ€™s easy to work with.

I like to use my stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for convenience, but you can also knead the dough by hand or use a food processor. If your dough feels sticky, just sprinkle in a little more flour. If it feels dry, add a touch of water. The key is to be patient and let the dough rise twiceโ€”this helps achieve that soft and pillowy texture.

Spinach Fatayer

For those short on time, premade dough works as a great substitute. Store-bought pizza dough or even frozen rolls can be a lifesaver on busy days.

The Filling

The heart of this fatayer recipe is the spiced meat filling. Ground beef is browned with onions, avocado oil, and a blend of Middle Eastern spices, including seven spices, black pepper, and salt. Toasted pine nuts are mixed in at the end for a delicious nutty crunch.

Once the filling is ready, the fatayer come together quickly. Roll out the dough, add the filling, and shape into triangles. A quick egg wash before baking gives the pies a beautiful golden sheen.

Meat Fatayer

Serving and Storing

Meat fatayer are best served warm, but theyโ€™re also delicious at room temperature. If you have leftovers or want to prepare them in advance, they freeze wonderfully. Simply let them cool, store them in a freezer-safe bag, and reheat when needed.

Whether youโ€™re hosting a gathering, preparing snacks for your family, or just want to try your hand at a classic Middle Eastern dish, these meat fatayer are sure to impress. Enjoy!

STEP 1 - Preparing the Dough

In a bowl, mix ยฝ cup warm water (or milk), 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 ยฝ teaspoons yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast foams and doubles in size to activate the yeast.

STEP 2

Add ยฝ teaspoon salt and half of the flour to the foamed yeast mixture. Turn your mixer to low speed and gradually add the avocado oil, the remaining milk, and flour.
Increase the mixer speed and knead until the dough comes together smoothly.

STEP 3

Lightly flour your hands and form the dough into a ball. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

STEP 4

Once the dough has risen, divide it into 18-20 small balls, using a bit of flour to prevent sticking. Cover the balls with a kitchen towel and let them rise again for another 30 minutes.
Spinach Fatayer

STEP 5

While the dough is rising, prepare the meat filling. Brown the ground beef over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil, stirring to combine.

STEP 6

Finely dice the onion and add it to the skillet.

Sautรฉ for a couple of minutes before seasoning with 1 teaspoon of salt, ยฝ teaspoon of black pepper, and 2 teaspoons of seven spices.

Mix well and continue cooking until the onion has softened. Once done, set the meat mixture aside.

Beef Spring Rolls

STEP 7

In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and add ยผ cup of pine nuts, cooking them until golden brown.

Add the toasted pine nuts to the meat mixture and stir to combine.

Meat Fatayer

STEP 8

Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF and place the oven rack in the middle. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.

STEP 9

Roll out the dough into 5-inch circles.
Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle.

Bring two sides together and pinch them to seal, then bring up the third side to form a triangle and pinch the edges firmly to close.

STEP 10

Place the assembled fatayer on a baking sheet. Whisk 1 egg thoroughly, then use a pastry brush to coat the tops of the fatayer just before baking.
Meat Fatayer

STEP 11

Bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown. (Our Place Pan)

Meat Fatayer
Meat Fatayer

Meat Fatayer (Fatayer Lahme)

Fatayer are one of the most beloved staples of Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly in the Levant. These triangular-shaped savory pies are incredibly versatile and can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, from spinach (fatayer bi sabanekh) to cheese, and of course, seasoned meat. They are perfect as an appetizer, a mezze item, or even as a satisfying snack.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Lebanese
Keyword: air fryer meat pies, Cheese Fatayer, fatayer, Meat Fatayer
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
Calories: 3723kcal
Author: Iman

Ingredients

Homemade Dough

Meat Filling

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix ยฝ cup warm water or milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 ยฝ teaspoons yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast foams and doubles in size to activate the yeast.
  • Add ยฝ teaspoon salt and half of the flour to the foamed yeast mixture. Turn your mixer to low speed and gradually add the avocado oil, the remaining milk, and flour.
    Increase the mixer speed and knead until the dough comes together smoothly.
  • Lightly flour your hands and form the dough into a ball. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
  • Once the dough has risen, divide it into 18-20 small balls, using a bit of flour to prevent sticking.
    Cover the balls with a kitchen towel and let them rise again for another 30 minutes.
  • While the dough is rising, prepare the meat filling. Brown the ground beef over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of avocado oil, stirring to combine.
  • Finely dice the onion and add it to the skillet.
    Sautรฉ for a couple of minutes before seasoning with 1 teaspoon of salt, ยฝ teaspoon of black pepper, and 2 teaspoons of seven spices.
    Mix well and continue cooking until the onion has softened. Once done, set the meat mixture aside.
  • In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and add ยผ cup of pine nuts, cooking them until golden brown.
    Add the toasted pine nuts to the meat mixture and stir to combine.
  • Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF and place the oven rack in the middle. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
  • Roll out the dough into 5-inch circles. Place about 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each circle.
    Bring two sides together and pinch them to seal, then bring up the third side to form a triangle and pinch the edges firmly to close.
  • Place the assembled fatayer on a baking sheet. Whisk 1 egg thoroughly, then use a pastry brush to coat the tops of the fatayer just before baking.
  • Bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown.

Nutrition

Calories: 3723kcal | Carbohydrates: 312g | Protein: 128g | Fat: 216g | Saturated Fat: 50g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 21g | Monounsaturated Fat: 123g | Trans Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 322mg | Sodium: 4159mg | Potassium: 1990mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 262mg | Iron: 15mg

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    Iman

    Owner

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