This golden Cheese Gözleme is a Turkish treat you’ll want to make again and again!
Cheese gözleme is a marvelously tasty Turkish street food that requires just a handful of ingredients. With a long history, this thin, savory filled flatbread is often eaten as a quick breakfast or an easy snack to enjoy on the go. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy gözleme from Istanbul street vendors, and I’ve sampled other varieties (like spinach and cheese) during visits to smaller towns along the Turkish coast. I’ve yet to try a version that isn’t absolutely delicious, especially after working up an appetite from wandering the city all afternoon.
This recipe is one you’ll likely want to revisit, whether for intimate family dinners or larger gatherings. The dough is made with a combination of flour, water, salt, and olive oil and has a soft, slightly elastic consistency that crisps up beautifully when cooked. No matter how many times I’ve had it, the warm, melted cheese and parsley wrapped in fresh dough is always a comforting treat. While this cheese-stuffed version is probably my favorite, you can get creative and experiment with other ingredients like potatoes, onions, and your favorite spices.
Is Cheese Gözleme Healthy?
As this is a fried dish, made up mainly of flour and cheese, it’s definitely not the healthiest meal you’ll find. That said, you can make this cheese gözleme a bit healthier by swapping some (or all) of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour. I’ve tried gözleme with greens and herbs before, and they were all spectacular. Consider this your sign to add spinach or arugula for a little extra nutrition—you’ll thank me later! If you need to customize this recipe for a vegan diet, there are plenty of non-dairy cheese options that would work really well in this recipe.
A Note On Turkish Cheese
Traditional cheese gözleme recipes typically use beyaz peynir, kaşar, or a combination of both cheeses. Beyaz peynir, meaning “white cheese,” is salty, crumbly, and tangy—similar to feta but with a slightly softer texture. It’s a staple in Turkish cuisine, commonly found in pastries, salads, and served alongside fresh bread. Kaşar, on the other hand, is milder and melts similarly to mozzarella. Since these cheeses can be hard to find outside of Turkey, a mixture of crumbled feta and shredded mozzarella works very well as a substitute. Together, the feta and mozzarella achieve a nice balance that closely mimics the distinctly Turkish filling.
FAQs & Tips
Store this cheese gözleme in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it in your freezer for up to 6 months.
To prevent spillage, make sure you don’t overstuff the gözleme. Keep the filling concentrated in the center, leaving a small border around the edges. When folding the dough over, press the edges firmly to seal them. Additionally, cook the gözleme on medium heat to allow the dough to crisp up and seal properly before flipping.
Both gözleme and quesadillas are considered beloved street foods that may share a resemblance, but they differ in origin and ingredients. Gözleme hails from Turkey and consists of a slightly thicker flatbread that envelopes the filling, while quesadillas come from Mexico and traditionally use corn or wheat tortillas.
Serving Suggestions
This cheese gözleme is versatile enough to pair with numerous foods. It’s typically enjoyed as a more casual bite, but you could potentially serve this in lieu of dinner rolls as part of a lovely homemade meal. In that case, I’d recommend serving it alongside a warm and herby Lentil Soup and a refreshing Cucumber And Tomato Salad or this Cucumber Chickpea Salad. For an additional protein option, I love this recipe for Chicken Kebabs because it includes my favorite grilled veggies. If you’re looking to serve red meat, this Turkish Kebab is absolutely delicious.
Cheese Gözleme
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/3 cups warm water
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/4 cups feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1 1/4 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Gradually add warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, mixing until a soft dough forms. If the dough is dry, add 1 more tablespoon of water at a time until it comes together.
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Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Let it rest covered for 20 minutes.
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In a bowl, mix together crumbled feta, chopped parsley, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
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Divide the dough into 8 parts. Roll each part into a thin circle, spread cheese mixture on half of each circle, then fold over to cover.
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Heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook each gözleme until golden brown on both sides, about 3-5 minutes per side.
Nutrition
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