• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • How to Start
    • Keto Calculator
    • Personal Weekly Meal Planner
    • Resources
      • Low Carb Fruit List
      • Low Carb Vegetable List
      • Low Carb Flours
      • Carbs in Cheese
      • Carbs in Dairy
      • Carbs in Herbs
      • Carbs in Nuts & Seeds
      • Carbs in Spices & Seasoning
  • Recipe By Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Main Dishes
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Dips & Sauces
    • Snacks
  • Articles
  • Membership
    • Keto Meal Plans
    • Member Login
    • Recipe Collections
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
    • Privacy & Disclosure Policy
    • Photo & Recipe Sharing Policy

Keto & Low Carb Vegetarian Recipes logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • How to Start
    • Resources
    • Articles
  • Recipe By Course
    • Recipes By Diet
  • eBooks
  • Membership
  • Subscribe
  • Be Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • How to Start
      • Resources
      • Articles
    • Recipe By Course
      • Recipes By Diet
    • eBooks
    • Membership
    • Subscribe
  • Be Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Desserts

    Published: Feb 17, 2023 · Updated: Feb 24, 2023 by Angela Coleby · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

    Keto Atayef (Middle Eastern Pancakes)

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Print Recipe Add to CollectionGo to Collections
    Gluten FreeLow CarbVegetarianKeto

    Atayer are a Middle Eastern dessert of filled pancakes served with a syrup. We have created a keto and gluten-free version of this classic pancake recipe.

    These filled pancakes made a delightful change from the standard keto desserts of cheesecakes and brownies. Made with almond flour and air fried, they are an easy recipe that the family will love.

    gluten free atayef

    We lived in the Middle East for 5 years and making these was a delightful food and flavor flashback.

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

    Jump to:
    • WHAT ARE ATAYEF?
    • WHY WE LOVE THIS ATAYEF RECIPE
    • PANCAKE INGREDIENTS
    • THE FILLING
    • THE SYRUP
    • HOW TO MAKE KETO ATAYEF PANCAKES
    • STORAGE
    • RECIPE TIPS
    • MORE LOW CARB DESSERTS
    • Keto Atayef Pancakes

    WHAT ARE ATAYEF?

    Atayef are also known as Qatayef or Katyfef and are a popular dessert in Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly in countries like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. It is a type of stuffed pancake or dumpling that is typically served during the month of Ramadan and other festive occasions.

    Traditionally, atayef are made from a simple batter of flour, water, yeast, and sugar, which is allowed to rest and rise before being cooked like a thin pancake or crepe. The cooked atayef are then filled with a sweetened mixture of either unsalted cheese or a nutty filling, such as walnuts, pistachios, or almonds.

    The atayef are then either fried or baked and may be served warm or cold, often accompanied by a syrup made from sugar, water, and lemon juice. The syrup can be flavored with rose water or orange blossom water for an added touch of fragrance and sweetness. Atayef can also be topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or ground cinnamon for added flavor.

    WHY WE LOVE THIS ATAYEF RECIPE

    If you have never tried atayef you might want to try this recipe. They may not be as crispy as the original but they still have a lot of flavor:

    • It's easy and fun to make.
    • They have a distinctive taste that is fragrant, sweet and light.
    • It's a lot lower in carbs and calories than the traditional recipe.
    • A healthier version of deep fried pancakes.
    • Have just 5g net carbohydrates per pancake against an average 28g net carbs for the traditional atayef pancake.

    PANCAKE INGREDIENTS

    We used our almond flour pancake recipe to make these gluten-free atayef pancakes.

    keto pancake ingredients

    THE FILLING

    We used a filling made with cream cheese, Greek yogurt and sweetener. Other filling combinations you could use are:

    • Ricotta cheese
    • Fresh mozzarella
    • Clotted cream (if you are in the UK).
    • Chopped walnuts
    • Chopped pistachios
    • Chopped almonds
    atayef filling ingredients

    THE SYRUP

    Once cooked the atayer are drizzled with a sugar free syrup. Make this ahead of making the pancakes. We used:

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup low carb sweetener (we used monkfruit)
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon rose water.

    The water and sweetener are boiled then simmered until thick in a saucepan. Once off the heat, the lemon juice and rose water are added. Orange blossom water can also be used but I couldn't find any on our island!

    atayef almond flour pancakes

    HOW TO MAKE KETO ATAYEF PANCAKES

    When making these air fryer pancakes, it's best to make the syrup first to allow it to cool. Then the filling so you have it to hand to stuff the pancakes. Finally the pancakes.

    When you make the pancakes, you only cook them on one side. Once you see bubbles in the batter and the underside of the pancake is firm and golden, remove the pancakes from the heat ready to stuff. You can cook the pancakes on a griddle or pan but we also use a Dash mini griddle maker for an even and round pancake.

    pancake in dash maker

    Cook the pancake in a pan or Dash mini griddle.

    filled pancake

    Place the cream cheese filling on the uncooked side of the pancake.

    rolled pancake

    Fold the pancake edges over and pinch together.

    folded pancakes

    Cook in the air fryer or oven. Drizzle with a simple syrup to serve and chopped nuts.

    STORAGE

    If you make these ahead or have any leftover, keep the pancakes in an airtight container in the fridge. They should last up to 2 days but ideally are best served fresh.

    Reheat the pancakes in the air fryer or oven for a couple of minutes.

    RECIPE TIPS

    • Small pancakes are better for filling and folding.
    • Only cook one side of the pancake. The uncooked side helps bind the edges together after stuffing.
    • We air fry our pancakes but they can be baked in the oven.
    cream cheese filled pancakes

    MORE LOW CARB DESSERTS

    If you want a low carb dessert with a difference try these recipes:

    Pumpkin Halwa

    Star Fruit Crumble

    Zucchini Tahini Brownies

    Avocado Cheesecake

    atayef pancakes

    Keto Atayef Pancakes

    These keto version of a classic Middle Eastern pancake are made with almond flour, filled with cream cheese, air fried, then drizzled in a fragrant sugar free syrup. A delicious low carb and gluten free dessert.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Middle Eastern, Vegetarian
    Servings 8 pancakes
    Calories 196 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Sugar Free Syrup

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup monkfruit or other low carb sweetener
    • 1 teaspoon lemon
    • 1 tablespoon rose water

    Filling

    • 6 oz cream cheese softened
    • 1 cup Greek yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons allulose or other low carb sweetener

    Pancakes

    • 1 cup almond flour
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • ¼ cup almond milk
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 tablespoons sugar free syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 tablespoons allulose or other low carb sweetener

    Instructions
     

    Make the Syrup

    • Place water and low carb sweetener in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
    • Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and rose water. Set aside to cool.

    Make the Filling

    • In a medium mixing bowl, add all the filling ingredients and beat or whisk until smooth. Keep in the fridge until you are ready to stuff the pancakes.

    Make the Pancakes

    • Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
    • Allow the mixture to stand for 5 minutes
    • Either spoon two tablespoons of pancake batter into a Dash mini griddle or in an oiled pan or griddle.
    • Cook until you can see bubbles appearing and the underside of the pancake is golden and firm. Remove from the heat and set aside on a plate with a clean kitchen towel over them to prevent them from drying.
    • Continue until all the pancakes are made.

    Filling the Pancakes

    • Spoon about a tablespoon of the filling mixture on top of the bubble side of the pancake.
    • Fold the pancake over the filling and pinch the edges together to make a half moon. Repeat for all pancakes.

    Cooking the Pancakes (Air Fryer)

    • Preheat the air fryer as per the manufacturers instructions.
    • Place the pancakes on their side in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with cooking oil and cook for 5-8 minutes at 180C/350F degrees.

    Baking Pancakes

    • These pancakes can be baked in the oven. Place the pancakes on a parchment paper lined baking tin. Cook for 15-20 minutes at 180C/350F degrees.

    Serving the Pancakes

    • Remove from the pancakes from the air fryer and place on a plate. Drizzle with the syrup and serve.
    • Scatter chopped walnuts or pistachios over the pancakes to serve (optional)

    Notes

    Makes 8 pancakes
    The net carbs will be the total carb count minus the fibre count. Carb count excludes sugar alcohols.
    Any nutritional analysis on the website is based on an estimate, calculated by Spoonacular from the individual ingredients in each recipe. Variations may occur for various reasons, including product availability and food preparation. We make no representation or warranty of the accuracy of this information.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pancakeCalories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 8gFat: 16gFiber: 2g
    Keyword air fryer recipes, almond flour recipes
    Do you know your macros?Check out Free Macro Calculator!
    Tried this recipe?Mention @KetoVegetarianRecipes on Instagram or hashtag it #ketovegetarianrecipes!

    More Desserts

    • Keto Vegan Ginger Cookies
    • Pumpkin Keto Chia Seed Pudding
    • Pumpkin Halwa
    • Flourless Zucchini Tahini Brownies

    New eBook

    ebook

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    angela profile

    Hi, I'm Angela!

    I'm the creator behind all the tasty low carb & gluten free recipes at Keto Vegetarian Recipes. I live in sunny St Lucia with the husband, dogs & cats.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Keto Roti
    • Low Carb Bean Salad
    • Turkish Salad
    • Portobello Mushroom Pizza - Air Fryer
    meal plans

    Affiliate Notes

    Keto Vegetarian Recipes is a participant in the WholesomeYum.com affiliate program & Amazon Associates.  As an associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Being an affiliate means that we will receive a small commission on sales we refer from this Website. We truly appreciate your support by using our links, but your participation is entirely voluntary.

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate & Wholesome Yum Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Keto Vegetarian Recipes