Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the delightful Greek spinach cheese rolls, also known as spanakopita. These crispy and flavorful appetizers are a staple in Greek cuisine, often served at gatherings and celebrations. The combination of spinach, feta cheese, and herbs wrapped in layers of phyllo dough creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Apart from the classic spanakopita recipe, this article presents a variety of unique variations to cater to different dietary preferences and taste profiles. Discover the goodness of vegan spanakopita for a plant-based option, indulge in the richness of zucchini spanakopita for a veggie-packed twist, or explore the delightful gluten-free spanakopita for a celiac-friendly alternative. Each recipe is carefully crafted to deliver an authentic Greek experience while accommodating various dietary needs and preferences. Embark on a culinary journey and uncover the hidden gems of Greek cuisine with these delectable spinach cheese rolls.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
EASY SPANAKOPITA APPETIZERS
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
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.
SPANAKOPITA BITES: SPINACH AND FETA CHEESE APPETIZERS
Spanakopita bites are a simpler version of the classic Greek spinach, feta, and phyllo dish. Using mini pre-made phyllo pastry shells saves time.
Provided by Lynn Livanos Athan
Categories Appetizer
Time 50m
Yield 45 pieces
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Wash and drain the chopped spinach very well. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out excess water very well. Spinach should be quite dry.
- Heat the olive oil in a deep sauté pan or dutch oven. Sauté the onions and green onions until tender. Add the spinach, parsley, and dill and cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the spinach is wilted and heated through. Add the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the spinach mixture until the excess moisture evaporates. You want it to be on the dry side. Remove from heat and set the spinach aside to cool.
- Once the spinach has cooled, add the crumbled feta, eggs, and ricotta cheese, and mix until combined.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly brush the insides of the frozen phyllo shells with olive oil and fill with spinach mixture until approximately 3/4 full.
- Bake the filled shells on a baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 85 kcal, Carbohydrate 11 g, Cholesterol 12 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 143 mg, Fat 3 g, ServingSize 45 pieces, UnsaturatedFat 2 g
SPINACH APPETIZERS
Instead of sausage balls, try these savory spinach treats -- they're great! The recipe was given to me while shopping by a lady at the grocery store. The formed balls may be stored frozen in airtight containers until ready for use.
Provided by DIANE HALL
Categories Appetizers and Snacks Cheese
Time 2h40m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix together chopped spinach, dry bread stuffing mix, eggs, Parmesan cheese, onion, butter and Cheddar cheese. Cover and chill in the refrigerator approximately 30 minutes.
- Drop the mixture by rounded spoonfuls onto a lightly greased large baking sheet. Place baking sheet in the freezer approximately 1 hour.
- When ready to bake, allow the balls to partially thaw, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet.
- Bake the balls in the preheated oven 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 143 calories, Carbohydrate 20.3 g, Cholesterol 42.2 mg, Fat 4.4 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 5.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 469 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
SPANAKOPITA: GREEK SPINACH PIE WITH FETA CHEESE
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Wash and drain the chopped spinach very well. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out excess water. The spinach should be dry before you begin cooking.
- Heat 1/2 cup of the olive oil in a deep sauté pan or large Dutch oven. Sauté the onions and green onions until tender.
- Add the spinach, parsley, and dill , and cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the spinach is wilted and heated through.
- Add the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper. The spinach mixture should be on the dry side; if using frozen spinach, you will want to cook it until any excess moisture evaporates. Remove from the heat and set the spinach mixture aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the feta, eggs, and ricotta cheese.
- Add the cooled spinach mixture and mix until combined.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Combine the melted butter with the olive oil in a bowl. Using a pastry brush, lightly grease 2 (9 x 12-inch) rectangular pans.
- Carefully remove the phyllo roll from the plastic sleeve. Most packages come in 12 x 18-inch sheets when opened fully.
- Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, cut the sheets in half to make 2 stacks of 9 x 12-inch sheets. To prevent drying, cover 1 stack with wax paper and a damp paper towel while working with the other.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Layer about 10 sheets of phyllo on the bottom of each pan, making sure to brush each sheet with the butter-olive oil mixture before layering the next.
- Add half of the spinach mixture to each pan in an even layer and press with a spatula to flatten.
- Layer another 10 phyllo sheets on top of the spinach mixture in each pan, making sure to brush each sheet well with the butter-olive oil mixture.
- Before baking, score the top layer of the phyllo (making sure not to puncture the filling) to enable easier cutting of pieces later. (You can place the pan in the freezer to harden the top layers and then use a serrated knife to make the cutting easier.)
- Bake until the pie turns a deep golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Let cool for a few minutes and then slice, serve, and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 295 kcal, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 36 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 365 mg, Sugar 3 g, Fat 20 g, ServingSize 12 to 16 Servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
SPINACH CHEESE APPETIZERS
Hosting a get-together is simple when you have these easy hors d'oeuvres stashed in the freezer. Loaded with spinach flavor, the rich squares come from the Sequim, Washington home of Marian Platt.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 50m
Yield about 6-1/2 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Pour butter into a 13x9-in. baking dish; tilt to coat. In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Whisk eggs and milk; stir into dry ingredients just until blended. Fold in spinach and cheese. Pour into prepared dish., Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes; cut into small squares. Serve immediately or transfer to a freezer container. May be frozen for up to 3 months., To use frozen appetizers: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place on baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 43 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 17mg cholesterol, Sodium 85mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.
Tips:
- Use fresh spinach: Fresh spinach has a more vibrant flavor and is more nutritious than frozen spinach. If you're using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it and squeeze out all the excess water before using.
- Don't overcook the spinach: Overcooked spinach will be mushy and lose its flavor. Cook the spinach just until it is wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Use a good quality feta cheese: Feta cheese is the key ingredient in these rolls, so it's important to use a good quality cheese. Look for a feta cheese that is creamy and flavorful.
- Don't overfill the rolls: If you overfill the rolls, they will be difficult to roll and will likely fall apart. Fill the rolls just enough so that they are plump, but not overstuffed.
- Bake the rolls until they are golden brown: The rolls should be baked until they are golden brown on top. This will ensure that they are cooked through and have a crispy crust.
Conclusion:
Greek Spinach Cheese Rolls are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. They are made with fresh spinach, feta cheese, and phyllo dough. The rolls are baked until they are golden brown and crispy, and they are served with a yogurt sauce. These rolls are sure to be a hit with your guests!
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