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
Gozleme recipe
Watch how to make it
Note: I forgot to press record when putting water into the dough, oops! Follow written recipe below.
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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. Combine flour, oil, salt and water in the stand mixer bowl. 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:
More tasty things stuffed between crispy bread
Life of Dozer
Dog treat. Everybody say together – “That’s sooooooo Asian!”
This looks delicious, love feta and spinach. Thank you so much. Have made so many of your recipes and love them.
Thankyou Nagi loved this recipe – wonder if you have any recipe for soup maker machine
kindest regards
margaret
Hi Margaret, sorry I don’t own a soup maker – I just use my pot on the stove! N x
Hi Nagi,
These look delicious.
I am allergic to eggs though. Is it possible to use a substitute (flaxseed eggs or something)?
Thanks a lot
Nicola
Hi Nicola, you can just leave it out 🙂 N x
Hello Nagi:
I am wondering if you have any recipes for gluten free breads or anything. I love bread and for me it is difficult to find things like these flatbreads here,
Hi Sherry, I have been told this recipe works with gluten free flour – I hope you give it a crack! N x
Yum yum yum!
I’ve been looking at empty flour shelves at the supermarket whilst also looking at full bread shelves. Maybe this recipe is the reason?! 😂😂😂
Haha maybe?! I know which I’d prefer to eat!! N x
Easy and delicious. I made it with kale, feta and mozz and added a pinch of nutmeg and fill. So good!
YUM! Sounds perfect Rebecca!
OMG Nagi can’t wait to try! Can the dough be hand kneaded as I dont have stand mixer?
Hi Nagi. I’ve been meaning to try this recipe since you first posted it. Finally got to it tonight and made both kinds. They came out really well. Except. I forgot to put my grated mozzarella inside with the spinach and feta. So I ended up sprinkling it on top. Still tasty, but not all gooey like I wanted. Next time! Thanks again for all your hard work. Much appreciated.
You’ll just have to make it again Joyce 😉 N x
I love your emails and recipes. I was in Australia 2 years ago with my 21 year old son and tried Laksa for the first time. When we got back to US, couldn’t find it…and then found your recipe. Keep up the great food/recipe finds and hugs to Dozer
Thanks so much Moira! N x
Thank you Thank you for your upbeat site! I live in New York State and we can all use uplifting things right now. I liked your choice of music too! What was it?
Hi Nagi! My name’s and I have been trying your recipes for a couple of months now. As someone who cannot cook, these are tasty and easy thanks!
Question about the gozleme recipe. I dont have the dough mixer. Any tips on how to mix by hand?
Hi Karla, I’m so glad you’re getting into cooking! You can simply knead by hand here you don’t have to use an electric mixer 🙂
Hi Nagi can you make the pastry recipe for the gozleme substituting gluten free flour. Will that work? Thank you
Hi Despina, I’ve tried and unfortunately it’s not quite the same! N x
Amazing recipe!!
I made these today. So yummy! I only ran across the problem of trying to stretch the dough to the recommended size. I did follow the cooking instructions, but then popped in the gozlemes on a tray for 7-10 minutes in the oven @ 350. This ensured that the uncooked parts got properly cooked. I will have to figure out how to roll the dough to the recommended size. Anyhow SO TASTY and my husband loved it. I dipped it some hot sauce and upped the cayenne just because I like a little kick to my dishes. THANKS AGAIN! More bake from scratch dishes, Nagi 🙂
These look amazing.
Can’t wait to make them..
Thanks Nagi
I hope you love them Niallo! N x
I made 2 – spinach/feta and the mince up to the final uncooked stage, and froze them. Defrosted and cooked for lunch. Both were crispy and fabulous! Thank you Nagi. Another one of your great recipes.
YUM! That’s great to know Carol! N x
Can I make the whole recipe and freeze before cooking?
Thank you.
Hi Carol, I haven’t tried to be honest but I imagine you could!
Would I have to thaw it before cooking if it was made and frozen from raw?
Made both the spinach and feta and the beef gozleme last night. Absolutely delicious! The flat bread was fabulous and my husband said they were as good as the local market version! Thanks Nagi, another winner!
What a compliment! That’s fantastic Kate! N x
Hi Nagi, Can I make the pastry And the filling in advance and just store them in the fridge? My 9 year old loves Gozleme and I’m planning to make this for his lunch at school
100% yes!!! Perfect for lunchboxes!
I really love your blog (and your mom’s)! This looks amazing, and I plan to make this for the hubby over the weekend. Thank you!
Love to know what you think once you try it Laura! N x