Sfeeha Yafawiyeh (Spiral Meat Pies)

5 from 6 Ratings
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Middle Eastern meat pies are unbeatable, and this Sfeeha Yafawiyeh will surely not disappoint! This authentic Palestinian dish hails from Java but is popular throughout the Middle East. These spiral-shaped meat pies are filled with seasoned meat, toasted pine nuts, and chopped onions.

Sfeeha pies are so delicious that one piece won’t be enough! The flaky outer crust and rich filling will satisfy your palate and leave you wanting more!


Sfeeha yafawiyeh cut in half, filled with meat, pine nuts and onions
One piece will never be enough.


The Sfeeha Addiction

I am warning you! These Palestinian meat pies are SO GOOD you most probably will be addicted. And you have every right to be so.

This is such a flexible recipe, you can switch ingredients around and make it exactly how you like it.

The fact that it’s baked allows you to enjoy a guilt-free moment.

You can’t go wrong with these pies for lunch as a main dish, a side dish, or even as a snack.

It is a crowd-pleaser so make sure to add it to the menu for your next party or gathering.


Sfeeha yafawiyeh garnished with sumac, pomegranate seeds, and chopped parsley
These pies will be gone in a blink of an eye!

Variations You Will Love

One thing that I absolutely love about these meat pies, besides their credible taste, is how versatile they are. They can be stuffed with a variety of fillings and can come in different shapes! For instance, Lahm Bi Ajeen (Lahmacun) is very similar to this sfeeha recipe.

Now when it comes to variations, you can literally stuff it with whatever your heart desires. You can do some vegetables, like spinach for example which is similar to this Spinach Fatayer, the only difference here is the shape since sfeeha yafawiyeh is made into spiral shapes while fatayer has a rectangular form.

Another great choice is cheese. It is such a simple option but will definitely be gone within seconds! This too is somehow similar to these Middle Eastern Cheese Fatayer (Cheese Pies) but the shape differs. Both are delicious though!

For a sweet smack, you can fill your dough with some walnuts.


Sfeeha yafawiyeh baked to golden perfection served with lemon slices on the side
A new form of therapy.

Tips for The Best Sfeeha Yafawiyeh

Each dough ball needs about 1½ to 2 teaspoons of oil to roll it out.

These meat pies can be served with some yogurt, salad, or a bowl of soup if you like.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to store sfeeha yafawiyeh?

These spiral meat pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Can I freeze these meat pies?

Yes, you absolutely can. Place them in a single layer in a freezer-friendly container or bag and they should last you around 3 months in the freezer.

Is there a vegetarian option to this Sfeeha recipe?

Since this pie recipe is super versatile, you can just switch the filling and use whatever fits your diet. To make it vegetarian you can simply stuff it with vegetables or cheese.

Is there a shortcut dough recipe?

If you are in a hurry and you’re looking for a quicker dough recipe, you could use my Ten Minute Multi-Use Dough recipe. Note that the ingredients used in this dough recipe are slightly different from the ones mentioned here and will yield entirely different dough taste and results.


golden spiral meat pies served with lemon halves, arils, and chopped parsley
Make some for your loved ones!

Ingredients

For the Dough

Flour

Salt

Oil

Water

For the Meat Filling

Oil

Red onion

80/20 ground beef

Fried pine nuts or silvered almonds

Seasonings: 7 spice, coriander powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, sumac, salt.


Palestinian meat pies with a beautiful golden color and a flaky exterior
You will want to try these!

Steps To Prep

For The Dough

Start by mixing together the flour and salt, then add the warm water and two tablespoons of oil. 

Knead together until a soft dough forms, using an extra 1-2 tablespoons of oil to knead the flour so it isn’t too sticky. 

Once done, divide into 10-12 equal balls, and rest on a lightly floured surface, covered in plastic wrap to rest. Rest for a minimum of 1 hour.

As the dough rests, start on the beef filling. 

For the Filling

First, add oil to your skillet and heat up before adding the finely diced onion. Sauté for five minutes, until softened and fragrant.

Then, add the beef and break it apart so it stays in small chunks. 

Now, add in all the spices and mix well, cooking it for about 7-10 minutes, until browned and no longer pink. 

Once done, fry or toast ¼ cup of pine nuts or blanched almonds, add to the beef, and mix. Let it cool before filling the dough.

Once the dough is rested, drizzle 1½ teaspoons of neutral oil onto a clean flat surface. 

After that, add 1 doughball to it, and flip it around so the top and bottom have oil. 

Now, start spreading the dough around with your hand, you should see it get thinner and thinner as you spread. Spread until the surface you’re working on starts to peek through, but not have the dough ball rip. 

At this point, place some beef filling onto the bottom side of the dough and start rolling it like a cinnamon roll. Roll all the way up, then tuck in one end piece before coiling it around each other. It should look like a swirl. 

Finally, place into a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees F for 22-30 minutes, until the bottom is browned and you could broil for more color.


Yafawi sfeeha served on a golden platter garnished with arils, parsley, and sumac
How tempting do they look?

Don’t Miss Out On These Recipes:

Small Batch 10 Minute Dough

Ten Minute Multi-Use Dough

Msakhan Rolls

Zaatar Rolls

Crispy Cheese Borek (Turkish Cheese Rolls)

Meat Stuffed Pitas (Palestinian Arayes)

Halal Cart Chicken and Rice

Saudi Chicken Kabsa

Honey Garlic Sriracha Wings

Mediterranean Style Chicken Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing


If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on FacebookInstagram, and YouTube.


Yafawi sfeeha served on a golden platter garnished with arils, parsley, and sumac

Sfeeha Yafawiyeh

Fatimah Alghweir
Palestinian spiral pies stuffed with seasoned meat and chopped onions. They can be served as a main dish, a snack, or a side dish. Give them a try!
5 from 6 Ratings
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Palestinian

Ingredients
  

For the Dough

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • ¾ cup water

For the Meat Filling

  • 2 tablespoons oil of choice
  • 1 medium red onion finely diced
  • ¾ pound 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon 7 spice
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon sumac
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ cup fried pine nuts (or silvered almonds)

Instructions
 

For the Dough

  • Mix together the flour and salt, then add the warm water and two tablespoons of oil. 
  • Knead together until a soft dough forms, using an extra 1-2 tablespoons of oil to knead the flour so it isn’t too sticky. 
  • Once done, divide into 10-12 equal balls, and rest on a lightly floured surface, covered in plastic wrap to rest. Rest for a minimum of 1 hour.
  • As the dough rests, start on the beef filling. 

For the Filling

  • Add oil to your skillet and heat up before adding the finely diced onion. Sauté for five minutes, until softened and fragrant.
  • Add the beef and break it apart so it stays in small chunks. 
  • Add all the spices and mix well, cooking it for about 7-10 minutes, until browned and no longer pink. 
  • Fry or toast ¼ cup of pine nuts or blanched almonds, add to the beef and mix. Let it cool before filling the dough.
  • Once the dough is rested, drizzle 1½ teaspoons of neutral oil onto a clean flat surface. 
  • Add 1 doughball to it, and flip it around so the top and bottom have oil. 
  • Start spreading the dough around with your hand, you should see it get thinner and thinner as you spread. Spread until the surface you’re working on starts to peek through, but not have the dough ball rip. 
  • Place some beef filling onto the bottom side of the dough and start rolling it like a cinnamon roll. Roll all the way up, then tuck in one end piece before coiling it around each other. It should look like a swirl. 
  • Place into a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400℉ for 22-30 minutes, until the bottom is browned and you can broil for more color.

Notes

  • Each dough ball needs about 1½ to 2 teaspoons of oil to roll it out.
  • These meat pies can be served with some yogurt, salad, or a bowl of soup if you like.
  • If you make 12 pieces, the dough will be thinner and more crispy (my preference).
  • You can use my 10 minute dough recipe but that has yeast and baking powder so it will make them rise and puff up while baking and they wont be crispy. 
Keyword Sfeeha Yafawiyeh, Spiral meat pies, Yafawi Sfeeha
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

6 Responses

  1. 5 stars
    Tried this, but with chicken stuffing instead of beef… But the taste was amazing! So filling and yum. *Chef’s kiss*

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve already made these twice because my family loves them so much thank you for the great recipe!

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About Me

Hi, I'm Fatimah!

I’m here to guide you through the world of Palestinian cooking with a modern twist. Whether you’re longing for those nostalgic meals you grew up with or looking to try something new and international, you’ll find recipes here that connect the past with the present—all designed to be easy, approachable, and packed with flavor. Let’s bring the heart of home-cooked meals back into your kitchen!

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