RP
RecipePoolDiscover your next favorite recipe
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About
Search
Browse
IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion

Main Navigation

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About

Browse Faster

IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion
Follow RecipePool on Pinterest
RecipePool

1,784+ tested recipes

Thoughtfully tested recipes, seasonal inspiration, and cooking guides to help you make something delicious every day.

Get weekly recipe inspiration

Explore

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Seasonal
  • Products
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • Ingredients

Browse By

  • Cuisine
  • Diet
  • Method
  • Occasion

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Recipe Testing
  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 RecipePool. All rights reserved.

HomeSearchCollectionsSaved
  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Sfiha
Tray of golden sfiha Lebanese meat pies with lemon wedges

Lebanese open-faced mini meat pies

Sfiha

Sfiha

1h 35mMedium

Prep Time

1 hr 20 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

1 hr 35 min

Servings

6

20 pies

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Moderate

$$

Be the first to rate this recipe
Share

Sfiha

Lebanese open-faced mini meat pies

Small open-faced Lebanese meat pies topped with spiced ground lamb, tomatoes, and a squeeze of lemon. These addictive little pies are perfect for parties and snacking.

80m

Prep Time

15m

Cook Time

95m

Total Time

6

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Moderate $$

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineAppetizerSnackDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

May 1, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Sfiha are the Lebanese answer to mini pizzas—soft dough rounds topped with a savory lamb mixture and baked until golden. They're meant to be eaten by the handful with a squeeze of lemon.

Why This Recipe Works

Keeping the meat mixture finely ground and well-seasoned ensures it sticks to the dough during baking. A touch of pomegranate molasses adds signature tang.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour, 1 tsp yeast, 1/2 cup warm water (dough)
  • 1/2 lb ground lamb
  • 1 tomato, finely diced
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
  • 1 tsp allspice and 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make dough: combine flour, yeast, salt, water, and 1 tbsp oil. Knead 5 minutes. Rest 1 hour.

  2. 2

    Mix lamb, tomato, onion, pomegranate molasses, spices, and salt into a cohesive topping.

  3. 3

    Divide dough into 20 balls. Roll each into a 3-inch round.

  4. 4

    Place a heaping tablespoon of meat mixture on each round, pressing gently to adhere.

  5. 5

    Bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes until dough is golden and meat is cooked. Serve with lemon wedges.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

  • Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering

Substitutions

Ground lambGround beef

Milder but equally delicious

Pomegranate molassesLemon juice + pinch of sugar

Approximates the sweet-tart flavor

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Press the meat firmly onto the dough so it doesn't slide off during baking.

  • You can pinch the edges up into a boat shape for a different presentation.

Storage

Refrigerate for 3 days or freeze for 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (20mg) · 6 servings

Calories160
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein8g
Carbohydrates5g
Fat20g
Fiber240mg
Sugar1g
Sodium1g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make them ahead?
Shape and top them, then freeze unbaked. Bake from frozen, adding 3-4 minutes.
What's the difference from lahmacun?
Sfiha have thicker, softer dough and are smaller. Lahmacun is paper-thin and larger.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore AppetizerMore SnackDairy-Free RecipesOven RecipesBaking Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.

Related Recipes

Homemade pastry filled with spinach and cheese

Borek

50 min

Golden spanakopita triangles with crispy phyllo layers

Spanakopita Triangles

55 min

Sliced tiropita cheese pie showing creamy feta filling

Tiropita

50 min

Freshly baked pie with lattice crust and powdered sugar

Bastilla

85 min

Close-up of dolma yalanji with grape leaves on a white plate, top view.

Dolma

95 min

Sliced baked kibbeh showing layers of bulgur shell and lamb filling

Kibbeh

65 min

You Might Also Like

Homemade pastry filled with spinach and cheese
Vegetarian
Medium

Mediterranean

Borek

50 min6 servings
View Recipe

Borek

50 min•Medium
Golden spanakopita triangles with crispy phyllo layers
Vegetarian
Medium

Mediterranean

Spanakopita Triangles

55 min8 servings
View Recipe

Spanakopita Triangles

55 min•Medium
Sliced tiropita cheese pie showing creamy feta filling
Vegetarian
Medium

Mediterranean

Tiropita

50 min6 servings
View Recipe

Tiropita

50 min•Medium
Freshly baked pie with lattice crust and powdered sugar
Hard

Mediterranean

Bastilla

1h 25m8 servings
View Recipe

Bastilla

1h 25m•Hard
Close-up of dolma yalanji with grape leaves on a white plate, top view.
VeganGluten-Free
Hard

Mediterranean

Dolma

1h 35m6 servings
View Recipe

Dolma

1h 35m•Hard
Sliced baked kibbeh showing layers of bulgur shell and lamb filling
Hard

Mediterranean

Kibbeh

1h 5m8 servings
View Recipe

Kibbeh

1h 5m•Hard
See more Mediterranean recipes →