Best 6 Easy Spanakopita Appetizers Recipes

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Spanakopita, a delectable Greek dish, is a delightful combination of crisp phyllo pastry and a savory filling made with spinach, feta cheese, and herbs. Often served as an appetizer or main course, this dish has gained popularity worldwide for its distinct flavor and versatility. This article provides three variations of spanakopita recipes: a classic version, a vegetarian version, and a mini spanakopita bites recipe, perfect for parties and gatherings. Each recipe includes detailed instructions, ingredient lists, and nutritional information, making them accessible to home cooks of all levels. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you in creating delicious and authentic spanakopita that will impress your family and friends. From the classic flavors of the original recipe to the creative twists of the vegetarian and mini spanakopita bites, these recipes offer a range of options to suit your preferences and dietary needs, ensuring a delightful culinary experience.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SPANAKOPITA BITES



Spanakopita Bites image

For an easy spanakopita, try this version that is made in a pan, then cut into squares. It has all the wonderful taste of the classic version-buttery phyllo with a spinach-cheese filling-but is so simple to do. -Barbara Smith, Chipley, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 55m

Yield 10-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups crumbled feta cheese
1 cup 4% small-curd cottage cheese
3/4 cup butter, melted
16 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, mix egg, spinach and cheeses. Brush a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with some of the butter., Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared pan; brush with butter. Layer with 7 additional phyllo sheets, brushing each layer. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.) Spread top with spinach mixture. Top with remaining phyllo dough, brushing each sheet with butter., Freeze, covered, 30 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut into 1-in. squares. Bake 35-45 minutes or until golden brown. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 21 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 40mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

EASY SPANAKOPITA APPETIZERS



Easy Spanakopita Appetizers image

I love having appetizers on hand in the freezer, especially when the holiday season is fast approaching. This easy spanakopita recipe is one of my all-time favorites. Everyone loves them, they're easy to prep and they bake up in about 20 minutes. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 1h

Yield 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons snipped fresh dill
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
15 sheets phyllo dough (14x9-inch size)
1/2 cup butter, melted
Optional: Tzatziki sauce, lemon wedges and fresh dill sprigs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, mix the first 9 ingredients. Place 1 sheet of phyllo dough on a work surface; brush with butter. Layer with 2 additional phyllo sheets, brushing each layer. (Keep remaining phyllo covered with plastic wrap and a damp towel to prevent it from drying out.), Arrange 3/4 cup spinach mixture in a narrow row along the long end of phyllo to within 1 in. of edges. Fold bottom edge of phyllo over filling, then roll up. Brush end of phyllo dough with butter and press to seal. Repeat 4 times with phyllo sheets, butter and the spinach mixture. Place rolls on a parchment-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan, seam side down., Cut rolls diagonally into 2-in. pieces (do not separate). Brush tops with remaining butter. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. If desired, serve with tzatziki sauce, lemon wedges and dill sprigs. , Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked rolls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet until firm. Transfer to a freezer container; return to freezer. To use, bake rolls on a parchment-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan in a preheated 375° oven until heated through and golden brown, about 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 96 calories, Fat 8g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 29mg cholesterol, Sodium 155mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

QUICK SPANAKOPITA



Quick Spanakopita image

Fresh herbs and vegetables are the focal point of this Greek-inspired meal that includes this spinach pie made with flaky store-bought phyllo dough.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Pie & Tarts Recipes

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound baby spinach
1 large egg
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped
6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
10 sheets phyllo dough (each 17 by 12 inches), thawed if frozen
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually add spinach, and cook, stirring often, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in egg, herbs, feta, salt, and pepper.
  • Lay 1 sheet phyllo on a parchment-lined baking sheet (cover remaining phyllo with a damp towel), and brush with butter. Repeat twice. Spread spinach mixture on center. Top with 3 more buttered sheets. Fold in sides. Butter remaining 4 sheets; crumple over top. Bake until dark golden, about 40 minutes.

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH TRIANGLES OR PIE)



Spanakopita (Spinach Triangles or Pie) image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h25m

Yield 60 triangles or 1 (9 by 13inch

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/3 cup olive oil
2 pounds spinach, washed and drained
1 bunch scallions, white and green parts, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 pound feta cheese, crumbled
1 to 2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1 pound filo pastry sheets

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large saute pan, add half of the spinach and saute until spinach wilts, tossing with tongs, about 2 minutes. Remove spinach and squeeze out excess liquid, then chop roughly. Repeat with remaining spinach, using 1 more tablespoon of olive oil. Pour off any liquid from the pan, and add remaining olive oil. Add scallions and saute until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the spinach to the scallions, along with the parsley, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat to cool. (This part can be done ahead and kept refrigerated).
  • Stir the feta and as much beaten egg to moisten the cooled spinach mixture.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with some of the melted butter.
  • Unroll the filo dough on a flat surface and keep it covered with waxed paper and a damp towel so it doesn't dry out and become brittle. Using a sharp knife, cut the filo into 3 by 11 inch strips, and recover with the towel. Use a pastry brush to brush a strip of filo with melted butter. Place a small spoonful of spinach filling 1 inch from the end of the pastry. Fold the end over the filling to form a triangle, then continue to fold up the strip in triangles, like folding up a flag. Continue with remaining strips of dough, placing filled triangles on the baking sheet and keeping them covered with a towel until all are ready to bake.
  • Brush the triangles lightly with butter, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Serve hot. (These may be frozen before baking, layering waxed paper between layers of triangles to keep them from sticking. Bake frozen triangles an extra 10 minutes.)

EASY SPANAKOPITA



Easy Spanakopita image

A great finger food for get togethers. Easy to make and so good with flaky phyllo dough and spinach.

Provided by Allybee Z

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 1h15m

Yield 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
20 ounces frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry
salt and pepper, to taste
2 teaspoons hot sauce (I use Frank's Red Hot)
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1 egg, beaten
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
14 sheets phyllo dough, defrosted
3 tablespoons melted butter
3 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Cook the onions in a saute pan with 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil until soft and translucent (4 minute on medium).
  • Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about another 2 min.).
  • Combine onions, garlic, spinach, salt and pepper, hot sauce, egg, feta, Parmesan, and cottage cheeses together in a mixing bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 3 tablespoons each of melted butter and olive oil.
  • Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.
  • Place one sheet of phyllo on the bottom of the dish brush with the butter mixture.
  • Top with another sheet of phyllo dough and brush with butter mixture.
  • Repeat this process until you have a total of seven sheets of phyllo dough.
  • Spread all of the spinach mixture over the top of the last layer of dough.
  • Then repeat the process of layering the remaining Place one sheet of phyllo over the spinach mixture and paint it with the oil mixture.
  • Repeat with the remaining seven sheets of dough, brushing each new layer with the butter mixture, making sure to butter the top layer.
  • Bake at 375°F until the top is golden brown (about 45 minutes).
  • Cut spanakopita to make little triangles.

SPANOKOPITA



Spanokopita image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     appetizer

Time 47m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup olive oil
1 bunch chopped scallions, white and green parts
2 (10-ounce) boxes frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
7 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
40 sheets (1 box) frozen phyllo dough (such as Pepperidge Farm), defrosted overnight in the refrigerator
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Heat the olive oil in a saute pan and add the scallions. Cook for 5 minutes or until soft. Meanwhile, squeeze most of the water out of the spinach and place it in a bowl. Add the scallions, dill, eggs, feta, salt, and pepper and mix together.
  • Keep the phyllo dough sheets covered with a damp kitchen towel. Unfold 1 sheet of the phyllo dough. Brush the sheet with melted butter and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Repeat the process by laying a second sheet of phyllo dough over the first sheet, brush it with melted butter and sprinkle with breadcrumbs until all 10 sheets have been used. Spoon 3/4 cup of the spinach mixture into a sausage shape along one edge of the phyllo dough. Roll it up. Brush the top with butter and score the roll into 1-inch rounds. Place it on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat until all the pastry and filling have been used.
  • Place in the oven and bake for 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Serve warm.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh spinach. If using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw and squeeze out all excess water before using.
  • Use a good quality feta cheese. A Greek feta with a slightly tangy flavor is ideal.
  • Don't overfill the phyllo dough cups. They should be full, but not so full that they're overflowing.
  • Be careful not to overcook the spanakopita. It should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, but still moist and tender on the inside.
  • Serve spanakopita warm or at room temperature. It's also delicious the next day.

Conclusion:

Spanakopita is a delicious and versatile appetizer that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's perfect for parties, potlucks, or simply as a snack. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

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