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Vegetarian, Maghreb and Middle East

Stuffed mlawi with egg and cheese

Stuffed mlawi with egg and cheese is a Tunisian flaky flatbread filled with egg, Emmental, olives, and tuna, serving 4 in 40 minutes. The difficulty is moderate, the cost is €1.70 per serving, and the trick is folding it tightly so the filling stays sealed in while it cooks in the pan.

A flaky Tunisian mlawi filled with egg, melted cheese, and olives, crisp outside and soft inside.

Stuffed mlawi with egg and cheese
Total time
40 min
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€1.70
Calories per person
450 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Fall, Spring
The kids
They generally like it

Mlawi is that Tunisian flaky dough you fold into a square around a generous filling, then brown in a pan. Outside, it shatters with a crisp bite, inside, the egg runs a little into the melted cheese, and the olives bring a salty kick that wakes everything up. Tuna and a touch of harissa add character without too much heat.

This dish works great on a weeknight when you want something hearty without spending the whole evening cooking, but it's also a relaxed weekend option, especially with kids who love cracking the egg into the filling themselves. Mon Chou likes to serve it with a fresh salad that balances out the richness of the pastry.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Puff pastry sheets 2
  • Eggs 4
  • Shredded Emmental 120 g

Pantry

  • Black olives 80 g
  • Harissaoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Canned tuna 1 can
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Green salad 1
  • Tomatoes 2

Allergens Gluten, Lactose, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut each puff pastry sheet in half and roll it out thin with a rolling pin.

    A thin sheet gives you crisp, flaky layers.

  2. Make the filling by mixing the cheese, chopped olives, flaked tuna, and a bit of harissa.

    Go easy on the salt, the olives and cheese are already salty.

  3. Place a bit of filling in the center of each pastry sheet, crack an egg on top, and fold the edges into a square.

    Make a small well in the filling to hold the egg in place.

  4. Brown each mlawi in an oiled pan with the lid on. 10 min

    Flip them with a wide spatula and don't press down on them.

  5. Serve with a tomato and lettuce salad dressed with olive oil.

    The fresh salad balances the richness of the pastry.

Our tips to get it right

  • Work on a floured surface, flaky dough sticks fast once rolled thin.
  • Keep the heat medium while cooking, too high and it burns outside before the egg sets inside.
  • Drain the tuna well before adding it to the filling, otherwise the moisture makes the dough soggy.

The variations

  • Swap the tuna for shredded leftover chicken for a more kid friendly version.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the tuna and add a few grilled bell pepper strips instead.
  • To save time, use pre rolled puff pastry sheets and skip the rolling pin step.

What to serve it with

  • Tomato and lettuce salad with olive oil
  • Mint tea
  • Fresh squeezed lemon or orange juice

Storage

Keep cooked mlawi in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 2 days, the egg inside doesn't freeze well. Reheat in a pan over low heat to bring back the crispness, the microwave softens the pastry.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the filling ahead of time?

Yes, mix the cheese, olives, and tuna the day before and keep it in the fridge. Add the raw egg only when you're ready to fill the dough, right before folding and cooking.

How do you keep the egg from leaking out of the dough?

Make a small well in the filling before cracking the egg in, this keeps it centered. Then fold the edges into a tight square, like an envelope, so it stays sealed while cooking.

Can you skip the harissa if you don't like spice?

Yes, swap it for a spoonful of tomato paste for color and a bit of flavor without the heat. Kids often prefer this milder version.

What cheese works instead of Emmental?

Shredded mozzarella melts well too and adds more stretch. A young comté also works if you want a slightly sharper flavor.

How long does it take to make a stuffed mlawi with egg and cheese?

Count 40 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a stuffed mlawi with egg and cheese?

About 450 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a stuffed mlawi with egg and cheese cost?

About €1.70 per serving, or €6.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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