Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked Turkish Pogaca! These soft, fluffy Turkish pastries are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or tea time. Plus, they’re so easy to make! Follow our go-to recipe for bakery-style pogacas you’ll be proud of.

Whenever we have an early morning trip and no time for breakfast, we always bake a batch the night before. They are a lifesaver in our bags, keeping us full and happy on the go!
We wanted to share this yeasted pogaca recipe so that everyone can experience just how soft and light homemade pogaca can be.
In this post, you'll find all our tips and tricks to make them perfectly every time.
What is Pogaca?
Pogaca is a classic Turkish pastry similar to bread rolls found in almost every bakery and sold by street vendors as a quick breakfast option. Alongside simit (Turkish bagel), it’s one of the most popular savory baked goods in Turkish cuisine.
These small, round or oval buns are made from a soft dough and filled with ingredients like cheese or potatoes. They’re often topped with sesame or nigella seeds.
Pogaca recipe can be made in two ways: with yeast for a soft, fluffy texture or with baking powder for a crumbly, scone-like feel. We are sharing the yeasted version today.

In Turkey, grabbing a pogaca or simit with a cup of Turkish tea is a common morning ritual. They’re also a staple at afternoon tea gatherings, perfect for Turkish breakfast spreads, and a favorite lunchbox snack for kids.
Popular Varieties
Turkish Pogaca comes in many delicious variations. Today, we’re sharing the recipes for two of our favorites: cheese-filled (peynirli pogaca) and potato-filled (patatesli pogaca). But there are many other types:
- Olive-filled (Zeytinli Pogaca): Chopped black olives are added as a filling while using the same dough from this recipe.
- Plain (Sade Pogaca): Made with the same dough but without any filling. Once baked, you can cut them in half and make small sandwiches with your favorite cheese or cold meats.
- Karaköy Pogaca: A buttery version with a distinct fork-line pattern on top.
- With Fresh Dill (Dereotlu Pogaca): This version combines crumbled cheese and chopped fresh dill into the dough. Unlike other versions, it is made with baking powder instead of yeast, so it has a more crumbly texture.
About the Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and measurements is in the recipe card below.
We’re sharing two filling options here—cheese and potato—because we love our pogacas with cheese, but our son always prefers them with potatoes. You can choose one when making pogaca or do it like us and make both!
Here are some notes about the ingredients to help you get the best results.

Dough:
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour.
- Instant Dry Yeast: Also known as fast-action dried yeast, it can be mixed directly with flour without needing to be dissolved in water first. If using active dry yeast instead, dissolve it in lukewarm water with a teaspoon of sugar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy before adding it to the wet mixture.
- Sugar: It helps activate the yeast.
- Milk: Use full-fat milk. It should be lukewarm to help activate the yeast.
- Butter: Adds richness and softness to the dough.
- Water: Use lukewarm water.
- Olive Oil: You can also use sunflower oil for a milder flavor.

Cheese Filling:
- Feta Cheese or Turkish White Cheese (Beyaz Peynir): You can also mix half feta and half cheddar or Turkish kaşar cheese.
- Fresh Parsley: You can substitute it with fresh dill.

Potato Filling:
- Potatoes: Boiled and finely chopped or mashed.
- Onion: Finely chopped.
- Tomato Paste: Adds a slight tanginess.
- Spices: Paprika, pul biber (red pepper flakes), salt, and pepper for seasoning.
- Fresh Parsley: You can also use fresh dill as a substitute.
Topping:
- Egg Yolk – Gives poğaça its golden, glossy finish.
- Sesame Seeds, Nigella Seeds or Poppy Seeds: Traditional toppings that add extra flavor and texture, but they are optional.
How to Make Pogaca Dough
Full instructions are in the recipe card below.

Making Turkish poğaça dough is really easy when you follow this recipe, and it will quickly become one of your go-to savory pastries to make.
Mix lukewarm milk and butter in a bowl until the butter softens and melts. Add lukewarm water and olive oil, then mix well.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula or your hand.
The dough will be sticky, so you might want to wear gloves if you are mixing it with your hand. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
How to Make Cheese Filling
In a small bowl, mix crumbled feta cheese or Turkish white cheese with chopped parsley. You can also use a mix of half feta and half cheddar or kaşar cheese for a richer taste.
How to Make Potato Filling
Boil the potatoes until soft, then peel and finely chop them. Sauté finely chopped onions in olive oil, then add tomato paste, chopped boiled potatoes and spices (paprika, pul biber, salt, and pepper). Stir in chopped fresh parsley and let it cool completely.
How to Shape and Bake Pogaca
Deflate the dough by folding it a few times. Take a piece of dough, roll it into a ball, and flatten it slightly in your hand.

Place about 1.5 tablespoons of your preferred filling in the center. Fold the edges together like a bundle and seal tightly. Place each pogaca seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for 20 minutes for second rising. Brush with egg yolk and sprinkle sesame or nigella seeds on top. Bake until golden brown.

Our Tips for the Fluffiest Pogaca
Use lukewarm milk and water. This is essential for activating the yeast properly and ensuring a good rise.
Expect a sticky dough. Don’t add extra flour thinking it’s too sticky. A soft, slightly sticky dough results in fluffier pogacas.
Let the dough rest in a warm place. If it’s summer, room temperature will be enough. However, if you’re making pogaca in winter and your kitchen is cold, preheat the oven to 50°C (120°F), turn it off, and let the dough rest inside. This creates the perfect warm environment for proofing.
To prevent sticking, lightly oil your fingertips or wear gloves, which will make shaping much easier.

Don’t skip the second rise. After shaping the pogacas and placing them on a baking sheet, cover them with a kitchen towel and let them rest for 20 minutes. This final rise is key to achieving soft, fluffy poğaça.
Cover the baked pogaca in the baking sheet with a kitchen towel immediately after removing them from the oven. This will help them to become even softer.
Serving Suggestions
Pogaca can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. They are perfect for a quick grab-and-go breakfast or as part of a Turkish breakfast spread, especially on weekends.
They are also a staple at afternoon tea gatherings, served alongside tea, black and green olives, patates salatasi (potato salad) or kisir (bulgur salad), cheese plate and nuts. Beyond breakfast and tea time, pogacas make a great savory snack, perfect for satisfying hunger after work or school.

When it comes to pairing drinks, Turkish tea and ayran (a traditional yogurt drink) are the best choices. This is how we Turks enjoy pogaca!
Storing & Reheating
To keep pogaca fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
For longer storage, place them in a sealed bag or container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
For freezing, make sure to store them on the same day they are baked for the best texture. Arrange the fully cooled pogacas in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to three months.
To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 50°C (120°F) for about 10 minutes. If using frozen pogacas, let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before reheating. To reheat directly from frozen, bake for 10-12 minutes in a preheated oven at 50°C (120°F) until warmed through.
Can I Prepare the Dough in Advance?
Yes, you can prepare the pogaca dough in advance!
After preparing the dough, cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 40 minutes before shaping the pogacas to allow it to warm up and rise properly.
Alternatively, you can shape the pogacas first, arrange them on a baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, let them rest at room temperature for 40 minutes, brush with egg yolk and then bake as described in the recipe below.
More Savory Turkish Pastries
As always: If you make this recipe, let us know what you think by rating it and leaving a comment below. And post a pic on Instagram too—tag @give_recipe so we can see!
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📖 Recipe
Pogaca (Turkish Rolls) with Two Fillings
Pogaca is a soft and fluffy Turkish pastry, perfect for breakfast, snacks, or tea time. This easy-to-follow yeasted recipe creates bakery-style pogacas that stay light and tender. Fill them with cheese or potatoes and enjoy them warm or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 19 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
Dough:
- 200 ml (¾ cup) lukewarm milk
- 50 g (½ stick) butter
- 125 ml (½ cup) lukewarm water
- 60 ml (¼ cup) olive oil
- 480 g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 7 g (1 tablespoon) instant dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
Cheese Filling:
- 200 g (7 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup chopped parsley
Potato Filling:
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon pul biber (Turkish red pepper flakes)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
Topping
- 1 egg yolk, beaten
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (or nigella seeds)
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- Mix lukewarm milk and butter in a bowl until the butter melts.
- Add lukewarm water and olive oil, then mix well.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula or your hand until combined. The dough will be sticky.
- Cover and let it rest for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size. Place it in the warmest room in your house. If the room is not warm enough, preheat your oven to 50°C (120°F), turn it off, and place the bowl with the dough inside. This will create the perfect environment for the dough to rise.
- Meanwhile prepare the filling of your preference.
Prepare the Cheese Filling
- In a small bowl, mix crumbled feta or Turkish white cheese with chopped parsley.
Prepare the Potato Filling
- Boil the potatoes until soft, then peel and chop them finely.
- Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté finely chopped onions in it, then add tomato paste and stir.
- Now add the finely chopped boiled potatoes. Stir well.
- Sprinkle paprika, pul biber, pepper and salt. Stir well.
- Add in chopped fresh parsley and let it cool.
Shape and Bake the Pogaca
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Gently deflate the dough by folding it a few times. Take a portion of dough, roll it into a ball, and flatten it slightly in your palm. To prevent sticking, lightly oil your fingertips or wear gloves when doing this.
- Place about 1.5 tablespoons of your preferred filling in the center. Bring the edges together, pinching them securely to seal.
- Repeat the process with the remaining dough, shaping each pogaca the same way. Arrange them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rest for 20 minutes for the second rise.
- Meanwhile preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Once the second rise is complete, brush the tops with beaten egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame or nigella seeds.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. After 20 minutes, check the bottoms—if they are slightly golden, they are done. If still pale, bake for an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Cover the pogacas with a kitchen towel immediately after removing them from the oven and let them rest for 15 minutes. This will help them to become even softer. Then transfer them onto a paper towel lined plate.
Notes
- Choose either the cheese filling or potato filling when making poğaça. If you decide to make both, use half of the measurements for each filling to avoid excess.
- If you have leftover fillings, don’t worry! The potato filling can be served as a side dish, while the cheese filling is great on salads or in omelets.
- This recipe makes 19 pogacas. If your baking sheet is not large enough, bake them in two batches to avoid overcrowding. However, if they fit without touching, you can bake them all at once.
- The nutrition information provided is for the cheese filling only and is meant for guidance purposes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 183
- Sugar: 1.7 g
- Sodium: 287.5 mg
- Fat: 8.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 21.4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25.8 mg
Marie says
I just made those amazing Poğaça. My Turkish husband was soooo happy 🙂 I didn't know it was so easy to do. I will definitively make this very often. Thank you for this nice recipe
Zerrin & Yusuf says
Hi Marie,
That makes us so happy to hear! Poğaça is such a classic, and we love that your Turkish husband enjoyed them too! Isn’t it great how easy they are to make? We’re so glad this recipe will be a regular in your kitchen. Cheers!
Julie says
Hello
I would like to make this recipe and freeze before baking as suggested by previous reviewer. Are the pogaca frozen after the second rise? How long do you leave to defrost before baking?
Thanks
Zerrin & Yusuf says
Hi Julie,
If you are planning to freeze the pogacas before baking, make sure to use a tray that fits in your freezer.
To freeze before baking, let the pogacas rest for the second rise. Then brush their top with beaten egg yolk, sprinkle sesame seeds on them. Place the tray in the freezer and let them sit there for about 1 hour. Then remove from the freezer and put them in a freezer bag. They won't stick one another in the freezer bag this way.
When you are ready to bake, remove the pogacas from the freezer. Place them on a parchment paper lined baking pan and bake until golden.
Hope this helps.
Vivian E says
Hi Zerrin and Yusuf,
I left another review earlier but maybe why mine aren't super soft is I used U.S. measuring cup and should be using Turkish water glass to measure for all the ingredients. I believe I had too much flour. I will try making them again and will let them rise for a little bit before I bake them.
Again, my husband said they were 100% EXCELLENT. (I used an extra Tbsp of Salt) as he likes flavor and stuffed with walnuts/olive oil/pepper flakes and added a piece of date to a few.
Zerrin & Yusuf says
Hi Vivian,
Thank you for the feedback! After seeing your first comment, we checked the recipe again and made some adjustments on it so that it is more clear.
And thank you so much for the update. We gave the exact measurements in grams, so we hope it helps our readers who prefer using a kitchen scale.
We are so happy to hear that you husband is happy with the result. And the tweaks you made in the filling sound brilliant! Thanks for sharing them with us.
Cheers!
Vivian E says
Zerrin and Yusuf
Made another batch with the updated information and notes and they were a SUCCESS!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes.
Zerrin & Yusuf says
Hi Vivian,
Yay! We are so happy to hear that you found the updated recipe and the notes helpful.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us and for the 5-star rating!
Vivian E says
My husband really liked this recipe but I thought they were not very fluffy or soft. Was I supposed to let them rise again after I flattened, filled and closed the bundles? It doesn't indicate in the instructions, just to put on the parchment, heat the oven, brush with egg yolk, and bake.
Karen says
I make the pogoca's and freeze then before baking. When company pops in, I set them out for a few minutes and then bake. They're perfect for a quick finger food and my company thinks I've spent the day in the kitchen!
Zerrin & Yusuf says
Hi Karen,
That's a great idea! Freezing the pogaca before baking is a smart move. It's a perfect way to have a quick snack ready for surprise visitors. I'm glad they enjoy it and think you've been cooking all day. Thanks for sharing your tip!
Vivian E says
Hi Karen,
Do you freeze before the 2nd rise or after? I like this idea! When you take out of the freezer, how long do you let them set before baking?
Tracey Lowe says
Hi Zerrin and Yusuf
I'm enquiring to how long I should knead the mixture for?should I do it like I would do for bread abt 10 minutes? Less or more? Thank you for your wonderful recipes
Tracey
Zerrin & Yusuf says
Hi Tracey,
Thank you for asking this question. Combine the dough ingredients in a large bowl, make a smooth dough by kneading it for 2-3 minutes and let it rise. After the dough rises, punch it down and knead it for a minute or so. Then you can make the pogacas.
Huda says
I just want you to know that your poğaça recipe is the BEST! Since I am a big fan of yogurt, I used it in place of the mineral water in the recipe and it turned out great.
Thank you for all of your efforts.
God bless you and your family abundantly 💞
Begum O. says
I have made this a couple of times and it is wonderful. Thank you.
Yusuf says
Hi Begum, happy to hear that! Thanks for the feedback!
Ebru says
Hello, I would like to make this recipe dairy free. Which dairy free option would you suggest instead of the 1/4 cup of milk? I am planning on filling with meat instead
Sil says
Use the mineral water she suggest
Elena says
Thank you for the recipe! it turned out amazing! It was super fun to make them and they taste delicious 🙂 It offered a moment from my childhood. Many thanks, Elena
Yusuf says
Glad you like it Elena! Childhood memories always make us happy, right? Thank you for the feedback!