Make these simple, crispy Mediterranean appetizers using phyllo dough filled with spinach and salty feta cheese. They are perfect for parties or a quick snack.
Author:ethancarter
Prep Time:25 min
Cook Time:20 min
Total Time:45 min
Yield:About 18 crisps 1x
Category:Appetizer
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Mediterranean
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 package (16 ounces) phyllo dough, thawed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
10 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Prepare the spinach filling: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped spinach and cook until wilted and all moisture has evaporated. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
In a bowl, combine the cooled spinach mixture, crumbled feta cheese, beaten egg, nutmeg, and black pepper. Mix well to form the filling.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unroll the thawed phyllo dough. Keep the stack covered with a slightly damp towel to prevent drying.
Lay one sheet of phyllo dough flat. Brush the entire surface lightly with melted butter. Place a second sheet directly on top and brush with butter. Repeat this process until you have a stack of three buttered sheets.
Cut the stacked phyllo sheets lengthwise into three equal strips.
Place about 1 tablespoon of the spinach and feta filling near one end of a strip. Fold the corner over the filling to form a triangle shape, then continue folding the dough over itself like folding a flag, maintaining the triangle shape until you reach the end of the strip.
Place the finished savory pastry triangle seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top lightly with more melted butter.
Repeat this process with the remaining phyllo sheets and filling to make your crispy cheese pastries.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the phyllo is golden brown and crisp. Serve these quick Mediterranean party food items warm.
Notes
For an air fryer spinach feta option, cook the crisps at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, checking frequently to prevent burning.
You can substitute puff pastry for phyllo dough, but the texture will be softer, not as crisp.
Serve these baked feta bites with a side of plain Greek yogurt or tzatziki sauce for dipping.