Spinach and Goat Cheese Pide Recipe
Introduction
Spinach & cheese pide is a delightful Turkish-inspired flatbread that combines a soft, flavorful dough with a savory spinach and goat’s cheese filling. This recipe is perfect for a comforting meal or a shareable snack.

Ingredients
- 300g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp fast-action dried yeast
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 white onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp whole cumin seeds
- 240g spinach
- 50g firm goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp chopped dill
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and sea salt. Stir in 80ml of water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to form a firm, smooth dough. Add more water if needed. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 2: Place the dough back in the bowl, cover, and leave in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Step 3: While the dough rises, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook the chopped onion for about 5 minutes until translucent.
- Step 4: Add the cumin seeds and spinach to the pan. Cook until the spinach wilts and any liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Step 5: Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan) or gas mark 7.
- Step 6: Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and divide into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into an oval about 3-4mm thick. Place the dough ovals on a non-stick baking tray roughly 30 x 20cm.
- Step 7: Spoon the cooled spinach mixture onto the center of each oval, leaving a 2cm border. Sprinkle crumbled goat’s cheese and chopped dill over the filling.
- Step 8: Fold the edges of the dough inward by about 1cm, slightly overlapping the filling. Bring the ends together and twist or press them to form points, securing the shape.
- Step 9: Brush the dough edges with the beaten egg. Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.
- Step 10: Serve warm. Leftovers can be eaten cold or reheated gently.
Tips & Variations
- You can omit the dill if you prefer, or add a sprinkle of pul biber for a mild chili kick.
- Try substituting goat’s cheese with feta for a different flavor.
- For extra texture, add toasted pine nuts to the spinach filling.
Storage
Store any leftover pide in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at a low temperature to maintain crispness, or enjoy cold as a snack.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen spinach for the filling?
Yes, but be sure to thaw and thoroughly drain the spinach to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can make the dough the night before and let it rise slowly in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Print
Spinach and Goat Cheese Pide Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 pide 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A deliciously savory Turkish-inspired spinach and cheese pide featuring a homemade yeasted dough filled with sautéed spinach, fragrant cumin, crumbled goat cheese, and fresh dill. This recipe guides you through making the dough from scratch, preparing the flavorful filling, and baking the pide to golden perfection, perfect for a comforting lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Dough
- 300g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tsp fast-action dried yeast
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 80ml water (approximate, may need a little more)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Filling
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 white onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp whole cumin seeds
- 240g spinach
- 50g firm goat’s cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp chopped dill
For finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, dried yeast, caster sugar, and sea salt. Stir well to distribute all the dry ingredients evenly. Add 80ml water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then mix until a firm and smooth dough begins to form, adding a little more water if necessary.
- Knead the dough: Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it back in the bowl, cover, and set it in a warm place to prove until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Prepare the filling: Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped white onion and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in the cumin seeds and then add the spinach. Continue cooking for around 5 minutes until the spinach wilts and all the liquid evaporates. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool.
- Shape the dough: Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan or gas mark 7). Turn the risen dough out onto a floured surface and divide it into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into an oval shape, approximately 3-4mm thick. Place the dough ovals on a non-stick baking tray about 30 x 20cm in size.
- Assemble the pide: Spoon the cooled spinach filling into the center of each dough oval, leaving a 2cm border around the edges. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and chopped dill evenly over the filling. Fold in the edges of the dough inward by about 1cm to slightly overlap the filling, then bring the ends together to form pointed tips, twisting and pressing slightly to secure.
- Bake: Brush the edges of each pide generously with beaten egg to achieve a golden crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the dough is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbling.
- Serve: Serve the pide warm as a delightful meal. Leftovers can be enjoyed cold or gently reheated.
Notes
- For a mild chili flavor, sprinkle some pul biber (Turkish chili flakes) over the filling before baking.
- Dill is optional and can be omitted or substituted with parsley or mint if preferred.
- The water quantity for the dough may vary slightly depending on the flour; add gradually to achieve a firm but pliable dough.
- This pide can be served as a main dish or cut into smaller pieces as a snack or appetizer.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated and can be reheated in an oven or eaten cold.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Keywords: spinach pide, Turkish pide, goat cheese pide, vegetarian pide, homemade pide, savory pide, spinach and cheese pastry

