Kayseri classic · Garlic yoghurt
Manti Recipe (Turkish Dumplings with Yoghurt)
Firm dough. Seal tightly. Room temperature yoghurt.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenManti are tiny meat dumplings from Kayseri, boiled and served under garlicky yoghurt and sizzling chilli butter. They burst while boiling or take hours to fold. The fix is a firm dough rolled thin, small squares pinched closed at four corners, a gentle boil, and yoghurt at room temperature so the dish stays warm.
The 3 laws of manti
Why this recipe works
Soft dough
Holds the seal.
Rolling boil
Prevents bursting.
Cold yoghurt
Keeps the dish warm.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Dough and filling
Toppings
The NineFoods manti gauge
Are they cooked?
Lift one and bite the edge.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Dough
- Knead a firm dough and rest 30 minutes.
- Mix filling.
Fold
- Roll thin, cut 3 cm squares, add a pea of filling and pinch four corners.
Boil and serve
- Boil gently in salted water. Use the gauge above.
- Top with garlic yoghurt, chilli butter, mint and sumac.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Weak seal or hard boil.
Fix next time
Pinch firmly and boil gently.
Why
Dough too thick.
Fix next time
Roll very thin.
Why
Fridge-cold yoghurt.
Fix next time
Use room temperature yoghurt.
Why
Under-seasoned.
Fix next time
Season the mince well.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade dough | Wrapper | Wonton wrappers, cut small |
| Beef mince | Filling | Lamb mince |
| Yoghurt | Sauce | Greek yoghurt thinned with water |
| Pul biber | Warmth | Paprika |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
A green salad; it is a full meal.
Store
Freeze uncooked manti 2 months.
Reheat
Boil from frozen, 2 minutes longer.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 4 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (are they cooked) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Manti FAQ
What is manti?
Small Turkish meat dumplings served with yoghurt.
Can I use wonton wrappers?
Yes, cut them small for a quick version.
Can I freeze manti?
Yes, freeze uncooked on a tray.
Where is manti from?
Kayseri in central Turkey is the most famous home of manti.