Spinach and Feta Phyllo Rolls

These irresistible spinach and feta phyllo rolls make a great appetizer idea for your Holiday Gatherings. With savory spinach, feta, and ricotta cheeses, this Spinach Phyllo Appetizer is also a great snack. It can be made ahead and frozen which is a great timesaver.

Spinach Phyllo Appetizer Bites

Appetizer recipes like this one are my favorite. They are old-fashioned and tied to rich Greek culture, perfect for any party or event. On top of that, you can make them ahead of time and freeze them, which is great for busy holiday parties. These spinach phyllo rolls are classic appetizers much like these Taco Ring Bites, Grape Jelly and Chili Sauce Meatballs , and these Cream Cheese and Mushroom Rye Bread Appetizers.

What You’ll Love About this Spinach and Feta Rolls

• They are healthy to eat. Packed with healthy spinach, these spanakopita rolls are loaded with nutrients.
• These spinach rolls are tasty. Filled with two types of cheeses and sprinkled with good spices they are a delicious snack or appetizer
• They make an impressive display. The perfect snack food for a baby shower, wedding shower, or holiday party to impress your guests and fill their bellies.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• two tablespoons of olive oil
• One small chopped sweet onion
• Two eggs
• 16 oz. of ricotta cheese – Ricotta cheese is a mild and creamy cheese that balances out the saltiness of Feta cheese
• Four ounces of crumbled feta cheese – I have made these bites with only ricotta, and they were a little bland because the cheese is too mild. I have made it with only feta, but the bites were too salty for my taste. This time, I combined the two, hoping for the perfect balance.
• One package of frozen chopped spinach (10 oz.) thawed and drained – squeeze excess water out
• 1 tsp. of dried basil – or – 2 Tbsp. of fresh basil leaves chopped fine
• (optional) 1/4 cup of peeled pine nuts
• A Dash or two of nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• salt and ground black pepper – to taste
• One package of frozen phyllo dough – thawed ( I found mine in the freezer section, next to the frozen biscuit dough and pastries)
• 3 Tablespoons of melted butter

How to Make Spinach and Cheese Phyllo Pastry Bites

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
• Start by heating the oil over medium heat in a skillet and sauteing the onion, stirring it until it is translucent—about 10 minutes.

• Beat the eggs in a medium-sized bowl.
• Add the cheese, drained spinach, basil, garlic, optional nuts, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

• Open a package of phyllo dough, unroll it, set it next to your work surface, and set out your melted butter and brush.
• Place one sheet down and brush melted butter over it – this keeps it soft and workable.
• Add another sheet and butter this one
• Layer one more sheet and butter that one, as well
• Scoop out about 1/3 of your spinach/cheese mixture and spread it out on one end of the roll – leave about an inch of phyllo border on both sides of the spinach.

• Fold the sides of the phyllo over the spinach mixture and continue folding all the way down the phyllo.
• Start rolling the sheets of phyllo dough up and over the spinach and keep going into a log all rolled up.

• Slice some slits into the top of the phyllo pastry

• Make two more logs the same way
• Here is where you STOP if you want to freeze the appetizer.
• Just roll the logs in wax paper and place them in a zip-tight bag for the freezer.
• When you are ready, let them thaw for 10 minutes before you bake them.
• When ready to bake these yummy rolls, place them on a baking sheet and bake them for about 25 minutes in the preheated oven. When done, they should be golden brown.

• Let them cool for a few minutes before you slice and serve

Expert Tips

The butter will seep through the layers of phyllo sheets which is very helpful. That means less work for you. You won’t need to brush butter over any parts that are already saturated.

If you want the let the kids help with this recipe, a great time to involve them would be the brushing of the butter. They think they are painting which is so much fun for them.

Variation

For a healthier alternative, Instead of butter, use olive oil or extra virgin olive oil to moisten your phyllo sheets.

Use fresh spinach in place of frozen spinach. If you do this, you will need to saute’ it with the onion.

Storing and Reheating

Leftover spanakopita can be stored in an air-tight container for about three days in the fridge.

Bake the leftovers until warmed through

More Appetizers You’ll Love

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Printable Recipe for Phyllo Rolls

~Melissa – kidfriendlythingstodo.com