These sweet, fluffy, rosy pancake Katayif are very easy to make! You can fill them with a stretchy and soft cheese or a crunchy and cinnamon-y walnut filling. these can be baked, or air fried and they come out with crispy edges and soft centers. The best part is the sticky sweet (easy) homemade sauce that they are drenched in. These are perfect all year round, but even better during Ramadan!
What are Atayef/Katayef/Qtayef
These a must have during celebration in the Middle East. They are very popular during Ramadan. As soon as you try these you will fall in love with the fluffy “pancake” with that delicious filling and sticky syrup! Atayef/Qatayef are cooked like a pancake (no flipping), they are stuffed with tasty fillings and drenched in a sweet syrup. You can find them any where in the Middle East, and now you can make them on your own!
Watch the Video:
How to make the dough
As I mentioned before, Atayef are very easy to make. They require little time and no effort. All you have to do is simply combine all of your ingredients in a blender and blend them. The batter may appear runny but it is perfect. I prefer to scoop about 1/4 of a cup and cook it (on a non stick pan) or medium heat (or medium-low). I cook the Atayef until they are a golden color. If you want the color darker, add a bit more sugar to the Qatayef.
Filling
There are typically two types of filling used to make Qatayef, you can choose on or the other (or both!). It may depend on the type of flavor you like. My personal favorite (the classic) is cheese, you simply combine a nabulsi cheese and Mozzarella cheese with a bit of Mastic. The second filling is a crunchy and sweet yet spicy one. You simply combine walnuts with cinnamon and coconuts. Both fillings are delicious!
Syrup/ ‘Atr
Atayef are typically drenched in a sweet, sticky and flavorful syrup. Today I will share with you an easy homemade recipe that works every time. The syrup simply combines water and sugar (always equal amounts), a bit of lemon (to thicken it) and some flower/rose water to flavor it. You can choose to spoon your syrup or drench them. Either way these Atayef are perfect every time!!
Air Fryer
Baking the Atayef in the Air fryer works! They come out much crispier and you will love them. If you have frozen your Atayef then you should air fry them at 375F or 190C at the frozen setting for 15 minutes. If you will bake them fresh, you should air fry at the bake setting at 375F. I have never tried deep frying these Atayef, let me know in the comments if it works.
Easy Atayef/Katayef/Qatayef
Ingredients
Qatayef
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered semolina
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp flower/rose water
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 3 cups water
- 1 pinch of salt
Cheese Filling
- 1 cup nabulsi cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup mozzerella cheese (shredded)
- 3 balls of Mastic (grounded into powder)
Walnut Filling
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
For the syrup/atr
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp flower/rose water
Instructions
To make the Syrup/Atr
- bring your sugar and water to a boil. Add your lemon juice and flower water.
To make the filling
- For which ever filling you choose (or both), combine all ingredients in a bowl.
To Make the Qatayef
- Combine all ingredents in the blender, make sure you add the baking powder last. Blend on high for 1 minute of until all the ingredients are fully combined.
- Heat a non stick skillet on medium (or medium-low) and pour 1/4 cup of batter. Cook for about a minute of until the bottom is golden and the top has many bubbles (and the batter has dried) . DO NOT FLIP. Transfer the Qatayef onto a kitchen towel and cover with another towel. Repeat until no batter remains. Let them fully cool in the towels..
- Fill each Qatayef with about 2.5 tbsp of cheese filling. Or if you choose the walnut filling about 2 tbsp. To seal the Qtayef simply press the two edges together firmly as shown in the video.
To Bake:
- After fully sealing them you can bake them, or you can choose to freeze them. See note for freezing instructions
- Bake at 400F or 200C for 30 minutes until the Qatayef are a golden brown.
- Add your syrup/atr while they are still hot and enjoy straight away.
- See note for Air fryer instructions.
Sooooo gooooood
Best recipe👍❤️