Description
These Spinach Puff Pastry Bites are savory, flaky appetizers filled with a flavorful mixture of sautéed spinach, onions, garlic, herbs, and a blend of feta and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for parties or a tasty snack, they come together easily using store-bought puff pastry and bake to golden perfection in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups frozen chopped spinach (about 10 ounces), thawed and drained
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 large eggs, divided (one for egg wash)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
Dough
- 1 (10×15-inch) sheet puff pastry, thawed if frozen
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Thaw and Drain Spinach: Completely thaw the frozen spinach. Then, use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to squeeze out as much liquid as possible to avoid soggy filling.
- Sauté Aromatics and Spinach: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until bubbly. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and drained spinach. Sauté until most of the moisture has evaporated, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Combine Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled spinach mixture, finely chopped parsley, crumbled feta, grated Parmesan, one egg, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine and then chill the filling in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Place the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into 12 equal rectangles approximately 3 by 4 inches by making 3 vertical and 2 horizontal cuts.
- Assemble Puff Bites: Press each puff pastry rectangle into a muffin cup. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the filling into each pastry cup. Fold the four corners of each rectangle toward the center and pinch lightly to seal, leaving some filling visible.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the remaining egg in a small bowl with a fork. Brush the egg wash evenly over the top of each filled puff to give them a golden shine when baked.
- Bake: Bake the filled puff pastry bites in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they’re puffed up and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bites to cool in the muffin pan for 5 minutes. Use a silicone spatula or knife to carefully loosen each puff pastry from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure to thoroughly drain the spinach to prevent soggy pastry.
- Chilling the filling helps it firm up, making it easier to handle and assemble.
- If puff pastry feels too soft to work with, briefly chill it in the refrigerator before cutting.
- These bites can be made in advance and reheated in the oven before serving.
- For a vegetarian option, this recipe already applies; to make vegan, substitute cheeses and egg with vegan alternatives.