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–+ servings
Deep fried pastries in a bowl.
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5 from 5 votes

Cheese Sambousek

These delicious and popular Middle Eastern pastries are filled with a flavorful mixture of cheese and herbs, and then fried or baked to perfection. The crispy exterior pairs perfectly with the gooey, cheesy filling, making Cheese Sambousek a crowd-pleasing snack that's perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Brunch, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Servings: 18 Pastries
Author: Luay Ghafari
Cost: $20

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Mozarella cheese - Shredded
  • 1 cup Feta cheese - Crumbled
  • 1 cup Halloumi cheese - Grated coarsely
  • 1 tbsp Parsley - Finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp Dried oregano
  • 1 tsp Dried mint
  • ½ tsp Chili flakes - Optional
  • 1 lbs Phyllo dough sheets - Defrosted
  • 1 tbsp All purpose flour
  • Oil for frying - Vegetable, canola, peanut or avocado

Instructions

  • Prepare the filling. In a large bowl, combine the crumbled feta, shredded mozzarella, shredded halloumi, parsley, oregano, and mint. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Prepare phyllo dough and flour glue. Cut phyllo sheets into 3-4-inch-wide strips. Keep the dough covered with a clean towel to prevent it from drying out. In a small bowl, mix flour and water.
  • Fill. Place 1-2 tablespoons of cheese filling at the bottom of a strip of dough. Form a triangular shape by taking one corner and moving it across and over the filling. Continue folding the pocket over itself, moving up the strip of dough until your reach the top. Use a little bit of the flour and water glue to keep the phyllo dough attached. Repeat until you’ve run out of cheese mixture. (Optional - at this point, you can freeze them for future use)
  • Fry. Bring a pot of cooking oil up to temperature (350°F). Once the oil is ready, carefully deep fry the sambousek until golden brown, about 4-6 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pot and work in batches. Transfer the fried pastries to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain excess oil. Alternatively, you can air-fry the sambousek in an air fryer. Spray or brush them with some oil beforehand and place them on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet.

Notes

Nutritional information is approximate. 
Refer to the recipe post above for notes, substitutions and expert tips. 

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 415mg | Potassium: 32mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 115IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 208mg | Iron: 1mg