Best 7 Spanakopitakia Little Spinach Pies Recipes

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In the realm of Greek cuisine, there exists a delightful delicacy known as spanakopita, a savory pie that enchants the senses with its flaky phyllo pastry and a heart of tender spinach, feta cheese, and fresh herbs. This versatile dish can be enjoyed in various forms, from individual spanakopitakia (little spinach pies) to larger spanakopita pies, each offering a unique culinary experience. Discover the art of crafting these delectable treats with our curated collection of spanakopita recipes, ranging from traditional to innovative variations. Embark on a culinary journey that will transport you to the vibrant streets of Greece, where the aromas of freshly baked spanakopita fill the air.

**Spanakopita Recipes:**

1. **Classic Spanakopita Pie:** Experience the timeless flavors of traditional spanakopita with this classic recipe. Layers of crispy phyllo pastry envelop a flavorful filling of spinach, feta, onion, and herbs, creating a symphony of textures and tastes.

2. **Spanakopitakia (Little Spinach Pies):** Bite-sized delights, these mini spanakopita pies are perfect for parties or as a delightful appetizer. Flaky phyllo pastry pockets are filled with a savory mixture of spinach, feta, and herbs, then baked until golden brown.

3. **Tiropita (Cheese Pie):** A close cousin of spanakopita, tiropita features a delectable filling of feta, kefalotyri, and mizithra cheeses, enveloped in layers of crispy phyllo pastry. This savory pie is a true indulgence for cheese lovers.

4. **Prassopita (Leek Pie):** For a unique twist on the classic spanakopita, try prassopita, a pie filled with tender leeks, feta cheese, and herbs. The delicate flavors of leeks blend harmoniously with the richness of the cheese, resulting in a savory and aromatic dish.

5. **Spanakopita Rolls:** Elevate your spanakopita experience with these delightful rolls. Phyllo pastry sheets are layered with a spinach and feta filling, then rolled and baked until golden. Serve these rolls as an appetizer or a light lunch option.

6. **Spanakopita Muffins:** A fun and portable take on spanakopita, these muffins are filled with spinach, feta, and herbs, then baked to perfection. Enjoy these muffins as a quick breakfast, lunch, or snack.

7. **Vegan Spanakopita:** For a plant-based alternative, try this vegan spanakopita recipe. Spinach, tofu, and vegan feta cheese come together in a flavorful filling, wrapped in crispy phyllo pastry. This dish is a testament to the versatility and deliciousness of spanakopita.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

EASY SPANAKOPITA TRIANGLES (MINI GREEK SPINACH PIES)



Easy Spanakopita Triangles (Mini Greek Spinach Pies) image

These Easy Spanakopita Triangles are traditionally served as a Greek appetizer or snack. Mini spinach pies made with feta cheese, ricotta cheese and spinach leaves wrapped in flaky, buttery phyllo dough.

Provided by Aleka Shunk

Categories     Appetizer

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 12

½ cup salted butter
⅔ cup onions, large dice
3 oz. fresh spinach leaves (about 3 cups fresh) ((2 ½ oz. frozen spinach))
1 8 oz. roll phyllo dough (you need 16 sheets)
6 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
⅓ cup ricotta cheese
1 egg yolk
½ tbsp freshly squeeze lemon juice
1 tsp freshly chopped dill
¼ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
Sesame Seeds *Optional

Steps:

  • Preheat your oven to 375° F.
  • Saute your chopped onion in a skillet with 2 tbsp of butter for about 10 minutes or until translucent.
  • If using fresh spinach, add it to your onions and saute for another 5 minutes or until the leaves are wilted down and water is fully evaporated. Take off heat.
  • If using frozen spinach, make sure it is fully thawed. (A microwave can help do this quickly.)*There is a lot of excess water in frozen spinach so make sure to drain it very well. Take a few paper towels or a dish cloth and squeeze out any excess water. You do not want a watery filling!
  • Add drained/cooled spinach, ricotta cheese, feta cheese, salt, onions, lemon juice, dill and garlic powder to a medium sized bowl and mix.
  • Melt your butter in a saucepan or in a small bowl using your microwave. Scramble your egg in another bowl.
  • Pull out your defrosted phyllo dough and lay one sheet down on the table.Make sure to cover your phyllo dough with a slightly damp dishtowel so it does not dry out!
  • Carefully brush one sheet of phyllo dough lightly with butter. Add another layer of dough and brush again. You should have two buttered layers.
  • Cut your phyllo dough into thirds lengthwise. Add 1½ - 2 tbsp of filling to the bottom of each strip of phyllo dough.
  • Begin folding from the bottom up. You will want to maintain a right triangle. Continue folding the triangle upward until you reach the top. (See photos.) You should end up with 24 triangles.Brush your egg wash generously over the top and sides of your triangles and place on a nonstick baking sheet. Repeat until finished. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if you prefer.°
  • Bake in the center of your oven for 12-15 minutes or until your dough turns golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 72 kcal, Fat 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Sodium 168 mg, Carbohydrate 4.7 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 2 g, Sugar 0.4 g, ServingSize 1 serving

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)



Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) image

This is an authentic, really rich pie stuffed with spinach, onions, cheeses and herbs that are all enfolded by crispy, flaky phyllo dough.

Provided by SILVERWOLF

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 1h30m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds spinach, rinsed and chopped
½ cup chopped fresh parsley
2 eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup ricotta cheese
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
8 sheets phyllo dough
¼ cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil a 9x9 inch square baking pan.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green onions and garlic, until soft and lightly browned. Stir in spinach and parsley, and continue to saute until spinach is limp, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, ricotta, and feta. Stir in spinach mixture. Lay 1 sheet of phyllo dough in prepared baking pan, and brush lightly with olive oil. Lay another sheet of phyllo dough on top, brush with olive oil, and repeat process with two more sheets of phyllo. The sheets will overlap the pan. Spread spinach and cheese mixture into pan and fold overhanging dough over filling. Brush with oil, then layer remaining 4 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each with oil. Tuck overhanging dough into pan to seal filling.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until golden brown. Cut into squares and serve while hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 494.1 calories, Carbohydrate 31.5 g, Cholesterol 100.3 mg, Fat 34.7 g, Fiber 7.4 g, Protein 18.2 g, SaturatedFat 11.5 g, Sodium 893.9 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

GREEK SPINACH PIES (SPANAKOPITA) RECIPE BY TASTY



Greek Spinach Pies (Spanakopita) Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: olive oil, green onion, fresh spinach, garlic, feta cheese, ricotta cheese, fresh dill, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, phyllo dough

Provided by Pierce Abernathy

Categories     Dinner

Yield 8 triangles

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup green onion, chopped
15 oz fresh spinach
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup feta cheese
½ cup ricotta cheese
¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
8 sheets phyllo dough

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).
  • In a large pan over medium heat, cook the green onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft.
  • Add half the spinach, giving time for some to cook down before adding the rest.
  • Once the spinach has cooked down, transfer to a medium mixing bowl to cool slightly.
  • Add the feta, ricotta, egg, dill, parsley, salt and pepper, and mix until evenly spread.
  • Set in refrigerator.
  • Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough on a dry surface. Using a pastry brush, coat evenly with olive oil.
  • Add another sheet of phyllo dough on top of the oiled sheet and repeat the oiling process. Continue until there is a stack of 4 oiled sheets. Repeat process on a new stack with remaining 4 sheets.
  • Cut your dough into 4 sections using a pizza cutter.
  • With a single section, add a spoonful of your spinach mix and begin folding over your pastry, brushing each fold with oil. Repeat this process for the remaining sections.
  • Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 9 grams, Sugar 2 grams

SPANAKOPITAKIA (LITTLE SPINACH PIES)



Spanakopitakia (Little Spinach Pies) image

Make and share this Spanakopitakia (Little Spinach Pies) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     Spinach

Time 1h25m

Yield 1 yield

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup olive oil
2 lbs spinach, washed and drained
1 bunch scallion, white and green parts, thinly sliced
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh dill
salt & freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb feta cheese, crumbled
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 lb phyllo pastry sheet
3/4 cup melted butter, for brushing tops before baking
1 small onion, minced

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large pan, add half of the spinach and saute until spinach wilts, tossing, 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 onion and saute until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Add the spinach to the scallions and onions, along with the dill, 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 beaten eggs into the cooled spinach mixture.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Brush a baking sheet with some of the melted butter.
  • Unroll the phyllo 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 phyllo into 3 by 11 inch strips, and recover with the towel.
  • One by one, use a pastry brush to brush a strip of phyllo 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.).
  • Variation: Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking pan and spread 8 sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter, on the bottom, staggering the edges around the pan.
  • Spoon the spinach filling over the phyllo, then cover with 8 more sheets of phyllo, buttering each sheet.
  • Score the top 3 sheets with a sharp knife. Careful not to cut all the way through.
  • Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until top is deep-golden, let stand 15 minutes, then cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
  • Note: All or part of the butter can be replaced in this recipe with olive oil.

SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH PIE)



Spanakopita (Spinach Pie) image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 7 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound butter or margarine
1 medium onion, diced
5 scallions, diced
3 pounds fresh spinach
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
2 tablespoons fresh dill
1/2 pound feta cheese
6 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1 pound filo dough

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In a medium heated saute pan, add butter (all except 6 tablespoons), onion, and scallion. Cook until translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • In a sauce pot, boil spinach in water until tender. Strain and pat dry until all water is out. In a large mixing bowl, mix spinach, onion-scallion mixture, parsley and dill together. Add cheese, eggs, salt and pepper. Mix well. Add back into sauce pot and boil for five minutes. Place aside.
  • Moisten filo dough one by one with the remaining butter (melted) with pastry brush. In a baking pan, add five layers of dough to bottom. Next, add spinach mixture. Spread evenly. Add another five layers of dough on top, tucking in corners. Place in oven and bake for approximately one hour.

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.)

SPANAKOPITA (GREEK SPINACH PIE)



Spanakopita (Greek Spinach Pie) image

Provided by Cat Cora

Categories     main-dish

Time 4h15m

Yield about 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening, plus more for the baking pan
1/3 cup ice water
Dried beans, for pie weights
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for greasing the baking pan
6 cups chopped onion (about 3 medium onions)
3/4 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
4 1/2 pounds fresh spinach (about 3 bunches), stemmed
2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
3 scallions (white and green), chopped
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta
1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water, for egg wash

Steps:

  • In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt until combined. Add the shortening and pulse until the mixture resembles cornmeal mixed with pea-sized bits, about 10 times. While the motor is running, drizzle in the water until a dough forms.
  • Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 9 by 13-inch baking pan. Divide the dough in half; press half the dough up and around the inside of the pan. Set the remaining dough aside covered with plastic wrap.
  • Line the pan with foil and fill with dried beans. Bake the dough for 20 minutes and remove the beans and foil. Continue baking the crust until golden brown, about 10 minutes more. Let the pan cool on a rack.
  • Meanwhile, make the spinach filling: Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add the rice and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes. Add the spinach, little by little (adding more as the previous batch wilts), and cook, stirring, until completely wilted. Season with the salt and pepper and stir in the parsley, dill, and scallions.
  • Drain the spinach mixture in a colander in the sink and let cool.
  • Once the spinach is cool, stir in the feta and spread the mixture into the crust. Roll the remaining dough out on a well-floured surface, into a rectangle large enough to cover the baking pan. Top the spinach with the dough and pinch around the sides to seal. Score the top of the pie in the center, brush the surface of the dough with egg wash, and bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes.
  • Remove the pie from the oven, let cool, cut into squares and serve.

Tips:

  • To ensure the perfect phyllo pastry, make sure it is thawed in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before using.
  • Keep the phyllo pastry covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap while working to prevent it from drying out.
  • For a crispy and golden crust, brush the phyllo pastry with melted butter before baking.
  • For added flavor, sprinkle some grated Parmesan or feta cheese between the layers of phyllo pastry.
  • To make sure the spanakopitakia are cooked evenly, rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time.
  • Serve the spanakopitakia warm with a side of tzatziki sauce or Greek yogurt for a complete and delicious meal.

Conclusion:

Spanakopitakia are a delightful and versatile Greek appetizer or snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With their crispy phyllo pastry, flavorful spinach filling, and simple ingredients, these little pies are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a special treat to impress your guests, spanakopitakia are the perfect choice. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey to Greece with this delicious and authentic recipe. Kali orexi!

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