Flaky Spinach & Feta Puff Pastry Appetizer Recipe
Flaky Spinach & Feta Puff Pastry is a delightful and easy savory appetizer featuring crisp puff pastry filled with a flavorful mixture of fresh spinach, creamy feta cheese, aromatic herbs, and a hint of garlic and nutmeg. Perfectly golden and puffed after baking, these pastries make an ideal appetizer or snack for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 pastries 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 package puff pastry (2 sheets, thawed in fridge overnight)
Filling
- 2 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen, thawed + well-drained)
- 1 small onion, finely diced (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 egg (for filling binding)
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for sautéing)
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or mint), chopped
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional, for warmth)
Egg Wash
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. If using fresh spinach, sauté the finely diced onion until soft and translucent, then add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted. For frozen spinach, simply ensure it is well-thawed and squeezed dry, skipping the sauté. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, let it cool slightly, then stir in crumbled feta cheese, beaten egg, chopped fresh herbs, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if using.
- Prepare pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly flour a surface and roll out the puff pastry slightly. Cut the pastry sheets into squares or rectangles of desired size.
- Fill & shape: Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons of the spinach and feta filling onto the center of each pastry square. Fold the pastry over to form triangles, rectangles, or your preferred shape. Press the edges together firmly and seal them by pressing with a fork. Brush the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg for a golden, shiny finish. To help steam escape during baking, lightly score or prick the tops.
- Bake: Place the shaped pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown. Once baked, transfer the pastries to a wire rack and allow them to cool briefly before serving.
Notes
- Make-ahead: You can assemble and freeze the unbaked pastries. When ready to bake, place them directly in the oven from frozen and increase baking time by 5 to 7 minutes.
- Flavor twists: Try adding sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, or chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the filling for extra depth of flavor.
- Serving tip: These pastries are delicious served with tzatziki, hummus, or alongside a light Greek salad.
- Vegan version: Use dairy-free puff pastry and a vegan feta substitute to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
Keywords: spinach puff pastry, feta pastry, savory appetizer, easy appetizer, Greek pastry, spinach feta pastry
