Gozleme!! Crispy, golden Turkish flatbreads stuffed with all sorts of tasty fillings. Choose from Spinach and Feta, or spiced Beef or Lamb. I want them all!
Like everybody’s favourite Easy Flatbreads recipe, the Gozleme pastry requires no yeast, just 3 ingredients (no yogurt) and is very easy to work with. You’re going to fall in love with this recipe!
Gozleme recipe
Weekend markets wouldn’t be the same without Turkish Gozleme stands. Sturdy Turkish Mamas with powerful arms rolling out the dough, and pretty young ladies front of house, smiling charmingly at customers.
Total stereotype there. But it’s a very effective marketing strategy!! 😂
If you’re new to Gozleme, all you need to know is this: they are olive oil flavoured flatbreads stuffed with all sorts of fillings. The most popular ones are Spinach and Feta, spiced ground lamb / beef (mince), and potato (carb on carb 👌🏻).
Pan fried until golden and crispy, then cut into grabbable-size pieces with lemon wedges on the side, there’s a reason why Gozleme stands often have the longest lines at weekend markets – because everybody loves them!!!
The Gozleme dough
Gozleme pastry is possible the easiest flatbread in the world because:
- it’s traditionally made without yeast;
- only requires 4 ingredients: flour, olive oil, salt and water
- “dump and mix” job using a stand mixer or food processor
- the dough is very easy to work with – easy to roll out (unlike rock hard fridge-cold Quiche pastry!), to pull and stretch into the shape that you want, and patch up accidental tears. 🙂
“If you’re new to making your own flatbreads, this is a great one to start with! The gozleme dough is very forgiving and easy to handle when rolling out.”
I typically make 4 Gozlemes from each batch of dough, though it can easily stretch to 5.
Gozleme Fillings
I’m sharing two fillings today:
- Spinach and Feta, and
- Lamb or Beef spiced ground meat filling. Though chicken, pork and turkey could be used too.
Just a note: I stuff my Gozleme way more generously than the Turkish Mamas at the Gozleme stands. I figure if we’re going to the effort of making our own, we shouldn’t skimp on fillings!!
Spinach and Feta Filling for Gozleme
The Spinach and Feta filling has nothing ground breaking in it. Egg for binding, garlic for flavour and pepper. (Ignore the salt in the photo, it’s not required!!)
The one little trick I’ve adopted over the years is to scrunch the spinach to wilt it down slightly. It makes it much easier to stuff the flatbread when the spinach is compacted down. Trying to enclose a huge pile of green fluffage with thin pastry is not fun.
Lamb or Beef Gozleme Filling
I told you I like to be generous with my fillings….. so while the traditional minced meat Gozleme usually has just a very thin scattering of meat with little more than a bit of onion, I like to fill mine out with all sorts of extras.
Increase the volume, more texture, add colour and more flavour!
Wrapping & cooking
Don’t be intimidated by this part! It’s really not difficult – and as I said, we’re working with a friendly dough here. The step photos below are fairly self explanatory, but here are a few tips:
- Don’t make them too big – just because the Turkish Mamas at the gozleme stand make theirs the size of extra large pizzas, doesn’t mean you should! Large gozleme = difficult to transfer to skillet and flip. Remember, they’ve been doing it for 40 years….
- Press out air pockets = no trapped heat ballooning = flatter = crispier
- Transfer to skillet – slide onto a pizza paddle or similar, then slide into the skillet. Once cooked, it’s crisp enough to scoop up with a spatula – you’ll see in the recipe video!
- Make sure they fit comfortably in the skillet! I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve had half a gozleme hanging out of the pan…. 😂
- Don’t skimp on oil – if you want the crispiest, most golden pastry, now is not the time to be counting calories! (Besides, remember that olive oil is better for you!)
Though traditionally served with lemon wedges, hand on heart, I have never used them. (And I’ve had my fair share of Gozleme in my life time!). They are great as they are, hot off the stove.
In my world, these are a summertime BBQ favourite. Terrific to cook these on the flat side of the BBQ – plus there’s more space than a skillet so you can cook multiple gozlemes at the same time.
And the extra bonus (because we all secretly love this part😈) – everyone is always so impressed. It’s just not something that most people think about making at home.
I’ve used the word “crisp” alot in this post. So I’m going to leave you with this image. Crispy crispy juicy stuffed Lamb Stuffed Gozleme.
Or – wait. Was it beef?? There’s been a lot of gozleme around here in recent weeks. So I’m not sure. But it doesn’t matter. BOTH are equally delicious!!~ Nagi x
More things stuffed between crispy bread
Things stuffed inside crispy flatbreads are always a good thing! I’ve done a few over the years:
- Quesadillas – also, handy Oven Baked Chicken Quesadillas!
- Aloo Paratha
- Crispy Ham and Cheese Pockets
- And though not stuffed, this ever popular Easy Soft Flatbreads has to make the list (use as naan for curries, Greek Gyros, Doner Kebab, Chicken Shawarma – the options are extensive!)
Gozleme recipe
Watch how to make it
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Gozleme!!
Ingredients
Gozleme pastry:
- 2.5 cups (375g) flour , plain/all purpose (GF Note 4)
- 1/3 cup (85ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 cup (185ml) water
- 1/2 tsp salt
Choose ONE Filling (Note 1)
Spinach & Feta:
- 300g / 10oz baby spinach
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 300g / 10 oz Danish feta (soft feta, Note 2)
- 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (Note 3)
Spiced Lamb or Beef:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 1 onion , finely chopped
- 500g / 1 lb beef or lamb mince (ground)
- 1 capsicum / bell pepper , chopped
- 90g / 3 oz baby spinach
- 1.5 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne (adjust spiciness to taste)
- 3/4 tsp each salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp water
- 120g / 4 oz Danish feta (Note 2)
Cooking / Serving:
- 1 - 1.5 tbsp olive oil , per gozleme
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
Pastry:
- Fit stand mixer with dough hook. Mix for 2.5 minutes on medium high speed 7 until smooth (see video for before & after). (Note 4) Dough should be a pliable, smooth ball, not sticky.
- Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle work surface with flour. Cut dough into 4 pieces.
- Roll out into 35cm/14" x 20cm/8" rectangle.
Filling:
- Make EITHER the lamb / beef Filling, or Spinach & Feta (or make 1/2 batch of both!).
Lamb or Beef Filling:
- Heat oil in large skillet over high heat.
- Cook garlic and onion for 1 minute. Add capsicum, cook for 2 minutes.
- Add beef and cook until it changes from pink to brown, breaking it up as you go.
- Add cumin, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, pepper and water. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add spinach, stir until wilted.
- Cool before using.
Spinach Feta Filling:
- Place spinach, garlic, egg and pepper in a bowl. Scrunch with hands to reduce volume and make spinach "floppy".
- Add feta and stir through.
Making Gozleme:
- Spread Filling on half the pastry, pushing to the edge. Sprinkle Lamb/Beef Filling with crumbled feta. Sprinkle Spinach Feta with mozzarella cheese, if using.
- Fold other side of pastry over to cover Filling. Press down edges, pressing out excess air pockets trapped inside as you go. Use water if needed to seal well.
- Sprinkle flour on a round pizza paddle (or similar). Slide gozleme onto paddle.
Cooking:
- Heat 1.5 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. (I usually get 2 pans going)
- Slide gozleme into skillet. Cook, lightly pressing down (including edges), until deep golden and crispy - about 3 minutes. Flip and cook, pressing down lightly, until crispy.
Serving:
- Transfer to cutting board. Cut into 6 or 8 pieces.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges, if desired.
Recipe Notes:
- Cooked gozleme should be eaten asap while hot and crispy!
- Dough can be kept for 3 to 4 days in fridge
- Do not keep filled uncooked gozleme in fridge - inside sweats and makes underside of dough soggy
- Best way to keep warm while you keep cooking is in 120C/250F oven ON A RACK not on a baking tray (hot gozleme sweats and underside gets soggy)
- Cooked gozleme can be frozen or kept in fridge - cool, wrap, put in container
- Reheat either by pan frying or on tray in oven at 180C/350F for 7 minutes or so
Nutrition Information:
Life of Dozer
Dog treat. Everybody say together – “That’s sooooooo Asian!”
Hi when do you use water in the dough? I seem to have missed that bit?
Thanks
Nagi, could you make the Gozleme with flat bread from the supermarket instead of making your own? A time saver? Thanks.
Hi Gail, it’s not quite the same unfortunately! N x
Hi Nagi, the dough ingredients lists 185ml water but your video only shows adding oil and salt to the flour, so do we need to add water to the flour or leave it out? Thanks!
Hi Danielle, It’s just not shown in the video but the dough needs the water as per the recipe 🙂 N x
We made this and it was such a hit, everyone was asking for more. Crazy how easy this is to replicate at home full with the 2 lovely fillings. We tried it again with half wholemeal flour, it was nice but very hard to stretch out – it inspired us to get a kenwood mixer a few days later 😂 Thanks so much for inspiring new and cool dishes.
Yummm!!! Just made the spinach and feta…soo easy but soo good! Love your recipes Nagi!
My children and I just made these for lunch. We used pork mince cos we didn’t have anything else (and we are in Victoria, haha) and it turned out so yummy! Love that the dough is so easy to manage – it’s our first time making these. Thanks Nagi!
Nagi I have made these before and loved them and I want to make again but I can’t remember if I put water in the pastry,ingredients have water video doesn’t
Thank you for all the beautiful recipes you have given us all my family and friends think I’m a fabulous cook 😂
Why Danish feta as opposed to Greek feta?
I’ve made the Gozleme a couple of times now. No failures! Even my picky husband loves them, So, so easy
Wahoo, that’s great Barb! N x
Amazing recipe Nagi. I have previously made gozleme using yeast but your dough is so much better and comes out thin and crispy.
Wahoo, I’m so glad yo love it Priya! N x
I had some leftover chicken curry and didn’t know what to do with it. I already had this recipe which I hadn’t tried yet and thought – hey – why not put the leftover chicken curry inside. They were fabulous, the pastry was thin and crispy and so tasty. Your recipes are always no fail and inspire me to try new things. Thanks Nagi!!!
Half the reason I go to markets……..the other reason is Hungarian Langos (hint hint for a new recipe!!!)
So easy and delicious. Great to prep the filling in advance during a busy week.
Wow wow wow!!! My family loved this so much, I’ve forwarded the recipe page on to my relatives so they can share in the gozleme goodness. After buying gozleme for years, I finally found and made this recipe. I even doubled the dough so we could make and eat both fillings with more for the next day. The stretchy dough was amazing- I hand stretched it after rolling so thin I could see the wood grain of the board, the fillings were delicious.
Hi Nagi! I’ve made this recipe a few times but cant seem to perfect the dough 🙁 in the video, you didnt put water in the dough but the recipe says you do? I have been adding the water but for some reason no matter how long i knead the dough (by hand or mixer), it takes ageees to get smooth? Any tips? xxx
True! Is there water in it or not nagi? I can’t wait to make this my stomach is growling!
My dough is currently resting and I’ve added both water and oil. It doesn’t look exactly like Nagis but it should be workable though.
This is a fantastic recipe. The dough was easy to roll thin and it was so crispy and tasty when I cooked it – I used a non stick pan with no issues and filled the gozleme with leftover lamb (minced with a stick blender), fetta, frozen spinach, shredded zucchini and onion (all precooked in a pan). Absolutely delicious – making them again next weekend!
Absolutely a winner! Great Middle Eastern flavors and fun to make. We made the spiced lamb version. We wouldn’t change a thing with this recipe. We did make a quick Tzatziki sauce to go along with it. As always Nagi, you are wonderful! Thank you.
Hi dear 2 questions: can i use frozen spinach instead of fresh (assuming its defrosted and squeezed) and what can i use to transfer the flatbread onto the pan if i don’t have a pizza puddle? Will plate do? Thanks xx
This looks amazing, Nagi! This reminds me of Afghan bolani which is a thin, crispy flatbread traditionally stuffed with potatoes, cilantro, and green onion. Have you ever had it? This looks like it would be even better! I have a question, if I don’t have a stand mixer/food processor, can I make the dough
by hand? Should I need for a few minutes until smooth? Thanks so much, Nagi I can’t wait to try this.
Hi Lee, yes you can definitely do it by hand with a little elbow grease 🙂 N x
I’ve made both Quesadilla and Gozleme, and both taste great! I must say though, the smell of Gozleme when it’s done is just sooooo good, I had to hold back from salivating over it 😂
P.S. With lemon wedges mmm!