Qatayef (Stuffed Ramadan Pancakes with Cheese or Walnuts)
Local name: قطايف
In short: Small yeasted pancakes cooked on one side only, folded around sweet cheese or cinnamon walnuts, baked golden and dipped in light syrup. It takes about 1 h 40 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 1 h
- Cook
- 40 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 40 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 350 kcal
Qatayef are the signature dessert of Ramadan in Palestine. The batter is cooked on one side only, leaving a surface full of tiny bubbles, then each pancake is folded around sweet cheese or cinnamon walnuts and sealed into a half moon. They are baked or fried and dipped in syrup. Families often make dozens together in the afternoon so they are ready for iftar.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, semolina, yeast, sugar, baking powder and salt with the warm water until smooth. Cover and rest for 1 hour.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Pour about 3 tablespoons of batter to form a round 8 cm (3 in) wide. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the top is covered with bubbles and looks dry. Do not flip.
- Move the pancakes to a clean towel, bubble side up, and cover so they stay soft.
- Mix the cheese filling ingredients together. In another bowl, mix the walnuts, sugar and cinnamon.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Put a tablespoon of filling on the bubble side of each pancake, fold into a half moon and pinch the edges firmly to seal. Fill half with cheese and half with walnuts.
- Arrange on a lined tray, brush with melted butter and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.
- Simmer the sugar, water and lemon juice for 8 minutes, stir in the rose water and cool slightly. Dip the hot qatayef in the syrup and serve with pistachios.
Tips
- The pancakes seal best while still slightly damp. If the edges have dried out, brush them with a little water before pinching.
- To fry instead of bake, cook the sealed qatayef in 175°C (350°F) oil for 2 minutes until golden, then drain and dip in syrup. Open-faced versions can be left uncooked and served with cream.
Questions and answers
Can I make qatayef ahead?
Make and freeze the unfilled pancakes for up to 2 months, or freeze filled, unbaked qatayef. Bake straight from frozen with 3 extra minutes.
Why only cook one side of the pancake?
The bubbled, uncooked side stays soft and sticks to itself when pinched, which makes a good seal. The cooked side gives color and structure.
Can I use another cheese?
Yes. Any mild, soft, unsalted cheese works, such as fresh goat cheese or a blend of cream cheese and mozzarella.
How long does it take to make Qatayef (Stuffed Ramadan Pancakes with Cheese or Walnuts)?
About 1 h 40 min in total: 1 h of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Qatayef (Stuffed Ramadan Pancakes with Cheese or Walnuts)?
About 350 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 44 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 350 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 44 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 21 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
