Gozleme with Spinach, Feta, and Beef or Lamb Filling Recipe
Introduction
Gozleme is a traditional Turkish flatbread stuffed with savory fillings like spinach and feta or spiced lamb. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, it’s perfect for a satisfying lunch or snack. This recipe guides you through making the dough and two delicious filling options.

Ingredients
- 2.5 cups (375g) plain/all purpose flour (gluten-free optional)
- 1/3 cup (85ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 cup (185ml) water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 300g (10oz) baby spinach
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 300g (10oz) Danish feta (soft feta recommended)
- 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 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 (3oz) baby spinach
- 1.5 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp water
- 120g (4oz) Danish feta
- 1 – 1.5 tbsp olive oil per gozleme for cooking
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine flour, olive oil, salt, and water. Mix on medium-high speed for about 2.5 minutes until you have a smooth, pliable, non-sticky dough ball.
- Step 2: Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Lightly flour your work surface and divide the dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rectangle approximately 35 cm by 20 cm (14″ x 8″).
- Step 4: Prepare your filling choice:
- For Lamb or Beef Filling: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sauté minced garlic and chopped onion for 1 minute, then add chopped capsicum and cook 2 more minutes. Add mince and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Stir in cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp water. Cook for 2 more minutes. Add 90g spinach and stir until wilted. Remove from heat to cool.
- For Spinach & Feta Filling: In a bowl, combine 300g baby spinach, minced garlic, eggs, and black pepper. Use your hands to scrunch and soften the spinach. Add crumbled feta and mix thoroughly.
- Step 5: To assemble, spread the chosen filling evenly over half of each dough rectangle, pushing filling to the edges. For meat filling, sprinkle crumbled feta on top. For spinach filling, optionally add shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Step 6: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, pressing edges firmly to seal and remove air pockets. Use a little water if needed to help seal.
- Step 7: Sprinkle flour on a flat surface or pizza paddle and slide the filled gozleme onto it.
- Step 8: Heat 1.5 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the gozleme in the skillet and press down lightly with a spatula, including edges. Cook for about 3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook the other side until equally crispy.
- Step 9: Transfer to a cutting board and slice into 6 to 8 pieces. Serve immediately with lemon wedges if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use a non-stick skillet for easier flipping and crispier crust.
- Try mixing half spinach and half meat filling for variety in one gozleme.
- You can substitute feta with ricotta or other soft cheeses if preferred.
- Adjust the cayenne to control the level of spiciness.
- To make gluten-free gozleme, use a gluten-free flour blend as noted in the ingredients.
Storage
Store leftover gozleme in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the dough soggy.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze gozleme?
Yes, you can freeze uncooked or cooked gozleme. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. To cook from frozen, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then cook or reheat as usual.
Can I use other fillings besides spinach or lamb?
Absolutely! Gozleme is versatile—you can fill it with potatoes, mushrooms, cheese blends, or even sweet fillings like Nutella or fruit preserves for a different twist.
Print
Gozleme with Spinach, Feta, and Beef or Lamb Filling Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 gozleme 1x
Description
Gozleme is a traditional Turkish savory flatbread stuffed with a variety of fillings such as spinach and feta, or spiced lamb or beef mince. This recipe guides you through making the soft, pliable dough and preparing flavorful fillings before pan-frying the filled flatbreads to a golden, crispy perfection. Ideal for a satisfying snack or meal served warm with optional lemon wedges.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2.5 cups (375g) plain/all purpose flour (gluten free option noted)
- 1/3 cup (85ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 cup (185ml) water
- 1/2 tsp salt
Spinach & Feta Filling
- 300g / 10oz baby spinach
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 300g / 10oz Danish soft feta
- 2 cups (200g) shredded mozzarella cheese (optional, for sprinkling)
Lamb or Beef Filling
- 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 pepper (adjust spiciness to taste)
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp water
- 120g / 4 oz Danish feta, crumbled
For Cooking and Serving
- 1 – 1.5 tbsp olive oil per gozleme for frying
- Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: Fit a stand mixer with a dough hook. Combine flour, olive oil, salt, and water in the bowl. Mix on medium-high speed (speed 7) for about 2.5 minutes until the dough forms a smooth, pliable ball that is not sticky.
- Rest the Dough: Cover the dough with a clean cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest for 20 minutes to relax the gluten and make it easier to roll out.
- Prepare Work Surface: Sprinkle flour on your work surface. Divide the rested dough into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll Out Dough: Roll each piece into a rectangle approximately 35cm x 20cm (14″ x 8″) in size.
- Make Filling Choice: Decide to prepare either the lamb/beef filling or spinach & feta filling. You may also do half portions of both to offer variety.
- Cook Lamb or Beef Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook minced garlic and onion for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chopped capsicum and cook for 2 more minutes. Add beef or lamb mince and cook until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Stir in cumin, paprika, cayenne (optional), salt, pepper, and water. Cook for 2 additional minutes. Add baby spinach and stir until wilted. Remove from heat and allow to cool before using.
- Prepare Spinach & Feta Filling: In a bowl, mix baby spinach, minced garlic, eggs, and black pepper. Use your hands to scrunch and squeeze the mixture to reduce volume and soften the spinach. Stir in Danish feta until well combined.
- Assemble Gozleme: Spread your chosen filling over half of each rolled dough, pushing the filling close to the edges. For lamb/beef filling, sprinkle crumbled feta on top. For spinach & feta, optionally sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Seal the Gozleme: Fold the other half of the dough over the filling. Press down edges firmly to seal, pushing out any air pockets. Use a little water if needed to ensure a good seal.
- Prepare for Cooking: Sprinkle flour on a round pizza paddle or similar flat surface. Transfer the sealed gozleme onto the paddle for easy sliding into the skillet.
- Cook Gozleme: Heat 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. If available, heat two skillets at once to cook multiple gozleme simultaneously. Slide a gozleme into the hot skillet. Press down lightly on the gozleme, including the edges, to ensure even contact and crisping. Cook for about 3 minutes until deeply golden and crispy, then carefully flip and cook the other side the same way until crispy and cooked through.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked gozleme to a cutting board. Cut each gozleme into 6 or 8 pieces. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side, if desired, for a fresh citrus kick.
Notes
- The dough can be made with gluten-free flour as specified in Note 4 for a gluten-free version.
- Danish feta is a softer, creamier style of feta which works well for the fillings.
- Adding shredded mozzarella cheese to spinach & feta filling adds a nice melty texture but is optional.
- Pressing the edges firmly seals the gozleme and prevents the filling from leaking during cooking.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to customize the spiciness level to your preference.
- Using two skillets lets you make multiple gozleme at once and speeds up cooking.
- Gozleme is best eaten fresh and hot off the skillet for optimal texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Turkish
Keywords: Gozleme, Turkish flatbread, savory pastry, spinach and feta, lamb mince, beef mince, stuffed flatbread, skillet recipe

