Turkish Pastry Recipes to Try at Home

Turkish cuisine is famous for its diverse and flavorful dishes, and one of its most beloved categories is pastries. From flaky börek to sweet baklava, these treats are perfect for any occasion. Here are some delightful Turkish pastry recipes you can try at home.

Börek

Börek is a popular savory pastry made with thin layers of dough and filled with various ingredients. A classic version is filled with feta cheese and spinach.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of phyllo dough
  • 200g feta cheese, crumbled
  • 200g fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Sesame seeds for topping (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
  2. In a pan, sauté the onion in olive oil until translucent, then add the spinach and cook until wilted. Remove from heat and mix with feta, egg, salt, and pepper.
  3. Lay one sheet of phyllo dough on a greased baking tray, brush with olive oil, and layer another sheet on top. Repeat this process until you have 4 sheets.
  4. Spread the filling evenly on the dough and then roll it into a log shape. Coil the log into a spiral and place it back on the tray.
  5. Brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Baklava

Baklava is a sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and syrup. This rich dessert is perfect for special occasions.

Ingredients:

  • 1 package of phyllo dough
  • 300g walnuts or pistachios, finely chopped
  • 100g butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 200g sugar
  • 200ml water
  • 100ml honey

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Mix the chopped nuts with cinnamon and set aside.
  3. Grease a baking dish and layer 10 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with melted butter.
  4. Spread a layer of the nut mixture over the phyllo, then add 5 more layers of phyllo, again brushing each layer with butter. Repeat until all the nuts are used, finishing with a layer of phyllo.
  5. Cut the baklava into diamond shapes with a sharp knife.
  6. Bake for about 40-50 minutes until golden brown.
  7. While baking, boil water and sugar to create syrup. Once dissolved, add honey and simmer for about 10 minutes.
  8. Pour the syrup over the hot baklava and allow it to soak in. Serve at room temperature.

Simit

Simit is a delicious sesame-covered bread that’s a popular street food in Turkey. It’s great for breakfast or a snack!

Ingredients:

  • 500g all-purpose flour
  • 10g instant yeast
  • 250ml warm water
  • 50g sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • Sesame seeds for coating

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
  2. Gradually add warm water until you form a dough and knead for about 10 minutes.
  3. Let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Preheat the oven to 220