Description
These Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry Twists are a delicious, savory appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry filled with a flavorful mixture of sautéed spinach, tangy feta cheese, garlic, and aromatic spices. Perfect for parties or a tasty snack, these twists are golden-brown and crisp on the outside with a rich, cheesy filling inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (fresh or frozen, thawed)
Filling
- 1 cup fresh spinach (or frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (preferably from block)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped (optional)
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional herbs and spices: 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Egg wash
- 1 egg, beaten
Instructions
- Prepare the spinach: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add fresh spinach and sauté until wilted, approximately 2-3 minutes. If using frozen spinach, thaw it thoroughly and squeeze out excess water. Optionally, sauté finely chopped onion until translucent before adding spinach for extra flavor.
- Mix the filling: In a bowl, combine the sautéed spinach, crumbled feta cheese, minced garlic, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir in optional herbs such as oregano, chili flakes, or parsley to enhance the flavor.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Roll out puff pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a rectangle approximately 10×12 inches.
- Spread filling: Spread the spinach and feta mixture evenly over half of the pastry, leaving about a 1/2 inch border around the edges for sealing.
- Fold and seal: Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling and press the edges firmly to seal, ensuring the filling stays inside during baking.
- Cut and twist strips: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the folded pastry into 1-inch wide strips. Gently twist each strip several times to form spirals.
- Apply egg wash: Brush each twist generously with the beaten egg. This will give the twists a beautiful golden-brown finish when baked.
- Bake: Arrange the twists spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
Notes
- You can use fresh spinach for a fresher flavor or frozen spinach for convenience; just ensure excess water is squeezed tightly.
- Adding finely chopped onion enhances the complexity of the filling but can be omitted for a milder taste.
- Feel free to experiment with different herbs like dill or basil to customize the flavor.
- If puff pastry is frozen, ensure it is fully thawed before rolling out.
- Serve these twists warm for the best texture and taste.
- These twists can be made ahead and baked just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
