How to Make the Perfect Feteer Meshaltet
Egyptian · Hard · 80 min · 6 servings
Feteer meshaltet is an extraordinarily flaky Egyptian layered pastry made by folding butter into dough repeatedly to create hundreds of thin, crispy, buttery layers. It is served sweet with honey and cream or savory with cheese and eggs and is a true Egyptian culinary art form.
Why this recipe works
This Feteer Meshaltet recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 80 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 490 calories with 8g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 200 grams unsalted butter melted
- 3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
- 3 tablespoons honey
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make and Rest the Dough
Combine flour, salt, and warm water and knead for 10 minutes until a very smooth, elastic dough forms. Divide into 6 equal balls, coat each with vegetable shortening, and rest covered for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Step 2: Stretch and Butter the Layers
On an oiled surface stretch each dough ball as thinly as possible without tearing until nearly transparent. Brush generously with melted butter then fold the sheet back onto itself repeatedly to build up multiple layers.
Step 3: Shape and Bake
Stack all layered dough portions on top of each other on a buttered baking tray and press flat. Bake in a preheated oven at 220 degrees Celsius for 18 to 20 minutes until the top is deep golden and the layers are visibly puffed and separate.
Step 4: Serve
Remove from oven and immediately tear open the top layer to release steam and preserve flakiness. Drizzle with honey and serve with clotted cream or alongside fried eggs and white cheese for a savory version.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- unsalted butter → ghee for a more authentic richness
- all purpose flour → bread flour for chewier layers
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not stretching the dough thin enough which results in thick dense layers instead of flaky ones
- Using cold butter which tears the dough instead of creating smooth buttery layers
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 490 calories, 8g protein, 54g carbs, 27g fat, 1g fiber.
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