Why you’ll love Fatayer (Turkish Pizza)
Soft, Homemade Dough
Light, fluffy, and golden, this dough is simple to make and bakes up beautifully every time.
Customisable Fillings
Fill them with chicken, cheese, or veggies or make them your own with whatever you have on hand.
Perfect for Sharing
Great for lunchboxes, snacks, gatherings, or iftar, everyone loves a warm, stuffed Fatayer.
Bakes Quickly
Just 15–18 minutes in the oven for golden perfection, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
Middle Eastern Comfort Food at Its Best
A fusion of soft bread and savoury filling that feels both familiar and special.
Top Tips for making Fatayer (Turkish Pizza)
- Let the Dough Rise Properly
Don’t rush this step as it gives you the soft, fluffy texture you want. - Roll Evenly
Keep the dough circles even in size and thickness for consistent baking. - Seal Edges Well
Pinch tightly to avoid the filling leaking while baking. - Use Pre-Cooked Chicken
Ensure your chicken is fully cooked and well-seasoned before adding as it won’t cook further in the oven. - Brush with Olive Oil or Egg Wash
This gives a shiny, golden finish and keeps the tops from drying out.
Ingredients you’ll need to make Fatayer (Turkish Pizza)
Yeast Starter Mix
- 1 tbsp Active Dry Yeast (9g)
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 240ml Warm Water
- 120g Plain Flour
Dough additions
- 180g Cups Plain Flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 80ml Olive Oil
Toppings
- Cooked Chicken
- Tomatoes
- Olives
- Onions
- Cheese
How to make Fatayer (Turkish Pizza)
1. Activate the Yeast
- In a bowl, combine yeast, sugar, warm water, and 120g flour.
- Mix until smooth, cover, and let sit in a warm place for 10–15 minutes, or until bubbly and frothy.
2. Make the Dough
- Add 180g flour, salt, and olive oil to the activated starter.
- Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 8–10 minutes by hand or in a stand mixer with a dough hook until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
3. Prepare the Toppings
- While the dough rises, prep your fillings. Cook and season the chicken (if not already done), and chop tomatoes, olives, and onions.
4. Shape the Fatayer
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / 400°F.
- Divide the dough into 10–12 equal balls.
- Roll each ball into a small circle (about 4–5 inches).
- Add a spoonful of filling in the centre—chicken, veggies, and cheese.
- Fold and pinch the edges into triangles or half-moon shapes, sealing tightly.
5. Bake
- Place on a lined baking tray. Optionally brush with olive oil or egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
Storage tips
Fridge: Store baked fatayer in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore freshness.
Freezer: Freeze unbaked or baked fatayer for up to 1 month. Bake straight from frozen or defrost overnight in the fridge.
Reheat Tip: Avoid the microwave for best texture, instead opt for oven reheating to keep the pastry crisp.
Other recipes you might like
Pizza toast – Pizza Toast – My Simple Eats
Pakistani style Lasagne – Pakistani style Lasagne – My Simple Eats
Fried Chicken Burger – Fried Chicken Burger – My Simple Eats
Fatayer (Turkish Pizza)
Ingredients
Yeast Mixture
- 1 tbsp Active Dry Yeast 9g
- 1 tbsp Sugar
- 240 ml Warm Water
- 120 g Plain Flour
Dough additions
- 180 g Cups Plain Flour
- 1 tsp Salt
- 80 ml Olive Oil
Toppings
- Cooked Chicken
- Tomatoes
- Olives
- Onions
- Cheese
Instructions
Activate the Yeast
- In a bowl, combine yeast, sugar, warm water, and 120g flour.
- Mix until smooth, cover, and let sit in a warm place for 10–15 minutes, or until bubbly and frothy.
Make the Dough
- Add 180g flour, salt, and olive oil to the activated starter.
- Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead for about 8–10 minutes by hand or in a stand mixer with a dough hook until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the Toppings
- While the dough rises, prep your fillings. Cook and season the chicken (if not already done), and chop tomatoes, olives, and onions.
Shape the Fatayer
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / 400°F.
- Divide the dough into 10–12 equal balls.
- Roll each ball into a small circle (about 4–5 inches).
- Add a spoonful of filling in the center—chicken, veggies, and cheese.
- Fold and pinch the edges into triangles or half-moon shapes, sealing tightly.
Bake
- Place on a lined baking tray. Optionally brush with olive oil or egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
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