Description
Delightful Greek-inspired Spanakopita Bites featuring a savory mixture of spinach, feta, and cream cheese baked in crispy phyllo pastry shells, perfect for appetizers or party snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Phyllo Shells
- 1 package phyllo pastry shells (about 15 shells)
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) to prepare for baking the spanakopita bites later.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Cook Spinach Mixture: Incorporate the thawed and well-drained spinach into the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, and dill. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring to combine the flavors well, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix Filling: In a mixing bowl, blend the slightly cooled spinach mixture with softened cream cheese and crumbled feta cheese until fully combined and creamy.
- Fill Phyllo Shells: Arrange the phyllo pastry shells on a baking sheet. Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the spinach filling into each shell. Lightly brush the edges of the shells with melted butter to enhance flavor and crispiness.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the spanakopita bites for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the filling is heated through and the phyllo shells turn golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow the bites to cool slightly before serving to enjoy the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Ensure you squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the thawed spinach to avoid soggy filling.
- Assemble the bites ahead of time and store them refrigerated until ready to bake for convenience.
- Spanakopita bites freeze well; simply reheat them in the oven for a quick and delicious appetizer.
