Description
Pide is a traditional Turkish flatbread pizza known for its soft, chewy dough and deliciously varied fillings such as cheese, spinach, or spiced meat. This recipe features three classic fillings—cheese, spinach with feta, and a flavorful ground meat mixture—wrapped in a molasses-coated dough sprinkled with sesame and nigella seeds. Baked until golden and crispy, this pide makes a perfect savory meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3/4 cup + 2 tbsp lukewarm water (207 ml)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (300 g)
- 3 tbsp powdered milk or 1 tbsp dough conditioner (optional)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tbsp molasses or pomegranate molasses
- 1 cup toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- 1 egg (beaten)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp nigella seeds (optional)
Cheese Filling
- 2 cups Turkish kasar cheese or mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tsp Turkish Spice Blend (optional)
- Green and red hot chiles (diced or sliced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Spinach Filling
- 1 medium white onion (diced)
- 6 cups baby spinach leaves
- 1 tbsp dill (chopped)
- 1 tbsp parsley (chopped)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Meat Filling
- 1 medium white onion (diced)
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp Turkish Spice Blend (optional)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cayenne
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the lukewarm water, sugar, and instant yeast. Let it sit for about 3 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy.
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, kosher salt, and optional powdered milk or dough conditioner. Make a well in the center and pour in the activated yeast mixture. Mix and knead the dough for 6-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a linen towel and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare Molasses and Seeds: In a shallow dish, whisk together the molasses with 3 tablespoons of water. In another shallow dish, place the toasted sesame seeds. Set both dishes aside for coating later.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Tray: Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Divide and Roll Dough: Divide the risen dough into 6 equal balls. Roll each ball into a long oval shape about 1/2 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.
- Fill Cheese Pide: Place shredded kasar or mozzarella cheese and 3 tablespoons of softened cream cheese mixed with Turkish spice blend and chopped hot chiles in the center of each oval, leaving a 3/4 inch border. Fold the sides of the dough up and pinch to seal, creating a boat shape. Turn the pide over and gently press to flatten slightly.
- Coat with Molasses and Seeds: Dip the top of each pide in the molasses water mixture, then coat generously with sesame seeds.
- Score and Top: Place the ovals on the prepared baking sheet. Use a sharp knife to make a deep long cut down the center of the dough top, leaving about 1/2 inch at each end. Open the cut slightly to expose the cheese filling and top with additional cheese, Turkish seasoning, or chiles as desired.
- Bake Pide: Bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 10-12 minutes, then move the tray to the top rack and bake another 3-5 minutes until the dough is golden brown and crisp.
- Make Spinach Filling: While the pide bakes, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent. Add spinach, dill, parsley, kosher salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook until spinach wilts, then add crumbled feta cheese, tossing to mix. Cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
- Make Meat Filling: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté diced onion until golden, about 4-5 minutes. Add ground lamb or beef, pine nuts, cumin, Turkish spice blend (optional), kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne. Cook, stirring and breaking up meat, for 8-10 minutes until browned. Remove from heat and cool.
Notes
- Note 1: Powdered milk or dough conditioner helps improve dough softness and rise but is optional.
- Note 2: Pomegranate molasses adds a tangy sweetness alternative to regular molasses for coating.
- Use Turkish kasar cheese for authentic flavor or substitute with mozzarella if unavailable.
- Adjust spiciness by varying the amount and type of hot chiles used.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for best results.
- Ensure oven is fully preheated for crispier pide crust.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Flatbread, Pizza
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Keywords: Pide, Turkish flatbread pizza, Turkish pide recipe, Turkish bread with cheese, Turkish meat flatbread, Turkish spinach pide, Turkish cuisine
