This cheese sambousek is a modern, easy twist on the classic recipe. It requires only two ingredients (puff pastry and cream cheese) and can be ready in just 10 minutes, making it the perfect side dish for a family gathering or holiday party.
If you're hosting this year and need a quick, easy recipe to add to your holiday table, this one is perfect! With only two ingredients, it's simple to make and a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will love. Plus, it’s quick enough to prepare on the day of your party.
For more yummy savory cheese pastry try my cheese manakeesh or vegan try zaatar manakeesh, and for meat options try sfeeha (meat pie) or musakhan rolls as a chicken option.
What is Sambousek?
Sambousek is a type of savory pastry that originates from Middle Eastern cuisine, Levant countries, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine. It is similar to a small pie or turnover and is often filled with spiced minced meat or akkawi cheese. The dough is typically made from flour, water, and oil, creating a light and flaky texture when cooked.
Cheese sambousek is a popular appetizer or snack, often enjoyed for its crispy, golden crust and rich, gooey filling. These savory pastries are traditionally shaped into triangles or crescents and are filled with cheese, usually including varieties like feta, mozzarella, or akkawi.
It’s commonly served as mezze during special occasions, holidays like Ramadan, or alongside other dishes like hummus, tabbouleh, or mutabal. Perfect for sharing, cheese sambousek adds a delightful, cheesy crunch to any meal or gathering.
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Equipment
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Baking Sheet – To bake cheese sambousek.
Ingredients
- Puff Pastry - This puff pastry can be found in the frozen section at any Middle Eastern store
- Cream Cheese - I'm using cream cheese with this recipe, their light and delicious.
Instructions
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1 | Once the dough softened, cut each square into 4 four small squares. With a teaspoon fill in each quarter with 1 teaspoon of cream cheese.
Step 2 | Fold each square into a triangle, pressing firmly on all the edges to ensure a good seal.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cheese Variations: Use a different type of cheese, like a combination of feta and mozzarella, halloumi, or lightly salted akkawi cheese.
- Meat Filling: Use ground beef, lamb seasoned with onions, garlic, and spices.
- Vegetable Filling: Create a vegetarian sambousek using ingredients like sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or mixed vegetables. You can enhance the flavor with spices and fresh herbs.
- You can add sesame seeds to each sambousek before baking.
Storage and Expert Tips
- Place cooked sambousek in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, but keep in mind sambousek will still taste good but lose its crunch texture once stored.
- To prevent the filling from leaking during cooking, seal the edges securely. Use a fork to press and crimp the edges or fold and pinch them tightly. You can also brush the edges with a bit of water to ensure a good seal.
- Avoid overfilling which can lead to breakage or leaking while baking. Use just enough filling to create a satisfying bite without risking the pastry splitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sambousek pairs well with a variety of dips and sides, such as hummus, mutabal, or a fresh tabbouleh salad. They also make a great addition to a mezze platter alongside olives, stuffed grape leaves, and pickles.
Absolutely! For vegan sambousek, use plant-based cheese, or a mix of sautéed vegetables.
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More Savory Pastries Recipes
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Cheese Sambousek
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 40 pieces 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Palestinian/Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This cheese sambousek is a modern, easy twist on the classic recipe. It requires only two ingredients (puff pastry and cream cheese) and can be ready in just 10 minutes, making it the perfect side dish for a family gathering or holiday party.
Ingredients
- 1 Bag Puff Pastry Dough
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese
- 1 Teaspoon Neutral oil (for greasing or use parchment paper)
Instructions
- Thaw the Dough take it out of the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 1 hour before you start working. This will make the dough easier to handle.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 380°F (190°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, cut each pastry sheet into four smaller squares, giving you manageable pieces for filling.
- Place about 1 teaspoon of cream cheese in the center of each square. Be careful not to overfill to prevent the cheese from leaking.
- Fold each square into a triangle, enclosing the filling. Press the edges firmly to seal, using your fingers or a fork to crimp the edges securely. This step ensures the cream cheese stays inside while baking.
- Arrange the triangles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the sambousek turn golden brown an
Notes
- Place cooked sambousek in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, but keep in mind sambousek will still taste good but lose its crunch texture once stored.
- To prevent the filling from leaking during cooking, seal the edges securely. Use a fork to press and crimp the edges or fold and pinch them tightly. You can also brush the edges with a bit of water to ensure a good seal.
- Avoid overfilling which can lead to breakage or leaking while baking. Use just enough filling to create a satisfying bite without risking the pastry splitting.
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