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Spanakopita is a popular and delicious recipe also known as Greek spinach & feta pie.
In this finger-friendly version, we turn sheets of phyllo into delicious stuffed triangles that are easily made ahead and frozen, then baked when ready to serve. The flaky phyllo is fun to play with and even more fun to eat. The paper thin, light and crispy dough is not as heavy as pie crust so the tasty filling takes center stage. Loaded with spinach, feta, ricotta, and chopped pine nuts, you and your guests will love the flavor and the adorable little packages!
First, did you ever make paper footballs back in school? We wrote notes to friends and folded them into tiny triangles and “flicked” them across the room when the teacher wasn’t looking. Guys used to actually play football on the desktop with those little things and make uprights with their thumbs and fingers. Anyway – that has nothing to do with this recipe other than it’s exactly the way you fold the filling up into these bundles of deliciousness!
The recipe makes about 30 appetizers, the perfect amount for a group of 10 or 12, just right for your next holiday gathering. I love the flaky layers and the warm cheesy filling. The bite from the feta is perfect!
I could eat these for dinner with a glass of wine and a few olives and be a happy camper. With loads of spinach I guess that covers the greens right?
You really don’t have to eat these with a fork, just saying!
PIN to your favorite appetizer board!
- 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled into small pieces
- 6 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese, about 3/4 cup
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 4 whole scallions, sliced thin, white and green parts
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
- Juice of 1 lemon, about 1 1/2 tablespoons
- 1 medium garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted and chopped (walnuts would be fine here too)
- 8 ounces 14x9-inch phyllo, thawed in the refrigerator overnight
- 3/4 to 1 cup olive oil
- Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium-low heat stirring frequently until lightly browned.
- To make the filling, combine the feta, ricotta, beaten eggs, scallions, dill, lemon juice, garlic, nutmeg, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the spinach and pine nuts until well blended. Filling can be refrigerated at this point for up to 24 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Prepare two pieces of parchment paper to fit your baking pan. Prepare another large piece of parchment to use as a work surface when preparing the triangles.
- Lay 1 sheet of phyllo on the parchment covered surface and brush with olive oil. Top with a second sheet of phyllo and repeat by brushing with oil. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the phyllo into three 3-inch strips. You should now have three 3x14-inch strips. Place a heaping tablespoon of filling in the corner of the dough and fold to form a triangle. Continue folding up and over to the end of the strip of phyllo. Brush the triangle with olive oil on both sides and place on the prepared pan seem side down.
- Once one pan is filled, bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through.
- While the first pan bakes, continue making triangles until all phyllo is used.
- Serve warm or room temperature and store leftovers in the refrigerator.
Once the filling is prepared, you can cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before making the triangles.
Keep the phyllo in the refrigerator until you have prepared the filling, parchment paper, pan(s), and have all tools ready. The phyllo will become brittle if left out too long so you will need to work quickly.
Phyllo comes in a package of two rolls. You will only need one roll for this recipe. Keep the remaining phyllo frozen for another use.
The unbaked triangles can be covered with plastic wrap and frozen. Once frozen, move the triangles to an airtight container. Frozen, unbaked Spanakopita will keep for up to a month.
Inspired by several recipes including one from All-Time Best Appetizers from America's Test Kitchen Cookbook.
Here are a few more fun appetizer recipes you might like:
- Goat Cheese Mousse and Smoked Salmon Canapés ~ from The Cafe Sucre Farine
- Warm Skillet Bread with Artichoke Spinach Dip ~ from Seasons & Suppers
- Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Bread ~ from The View from Great Island
- Savory Smoked Salmon Cheesecake ~ from Saving Room for Dessert
Don’t forget the parchment paper and a little scoop for the filling! (Each photo is clickable)
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Finally, happy Friday my friends! Do you get a lot of trick-or-treaters and sit outside on Halloween passing out handfuls of candy? Or do you skip the candy, turn out the lights, and hide like no one’s home? This may be the year I hide upstairs haha! I haven’t bought any candy, our dogs go nuts for hours, and we get hundreds of kids looking for treats. But I love looking at the little ones all dressed up in their costumes. My grandson Isaac is looking forward to being a super-hero for a night! Yeah Captain America!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Tricia
2 Sisters Recipes says
So sweet Tricia! and your Greek appetizer looks delish too! But the super-hero costume is the best!
Tricia Buice says
Thanks! These are tasty appetizers great for the holidays! I love anything you can make ahead during this busy season. Hope you are both doing great.
Susan says
I think my 4-year-old grandson has the same Captain America costume, Tricia! Treat or treating starts here in less than an hour and I’m ready but if we get even 12 coming to our door I’ll be surprised. Driveways are too long and houses are too far apart – LOL. Whenever we go to our favorite Serbian restaurant we always order the spinach and feta burek which is almost the same as spanakopita. I know I’d love these and could eat them as a meal just like you 🙂 Saving your recipe!
Tricia Buice says
It’s a pretty good costume Susan! How cute and very popular. Burek sounds like something I would like. Thank you – hope you had a spooky good time tonight!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I LOVE spanakopita and always so popular around the holidays! Your version looks absolutely perfect 🙂 Will be putting on my holiday menu!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Jennifer! It is very fun to make and love that it can be frozen for up to a month. Perfect holiday food 🙂
Dom says
oh yes, I adore spanakopita! I remember the first time I ate them from a street vendor in Athens and I loved them from the first bite. These ones looks so perfect. A whole plateful please!xx
Tricia Buice says
Oh you have all the fun Dom! I need a trip somewhere exciting and soon. When in Greece … as they say!
Gerlinde@Sunnycovechef says
You know Tricia , I have never used Phyllo dough but I am about to change that. Do you have a special Phyllo dough you like? I’m going to make this recipe soon. It looks delicious.
Tricia Buice says
Hi Gerlinde. I purchased the only available phyllo at my local Wegman’s grocery store (stores are only in the NE) and it was their own brand. You can search your grocery store online and see if they carry it. I was looking for this particular size to make it all easy but it does come larger too. I hope you give it a try because it is very easy, delicious and fun, even though the olive oil is a little messy. Thanks and enjoy!
Betty says
Captain America is adorable! No trick or treaters at my house- I live too far off the beaten path. 🙂
Love the party food! I especially appreciate that they can be made ahead, because who needs extra work on party day? I’m not an expert with phyllo, so I know mine wouldn’t be as perfect as yours. 🙂
Tricia Buice says
Guess you save a lot of money living off the beaten path Betty. I enjoy the children but my dogs go crazy with all those visitors. Anyway – make-ahead treats are the best! Hope you get the chance to give them a try.
Monica says
These look so delicious. I love using and eating phyllo – you just can’t beat that unbelievable crisp-crunchiness. The last time I did something similar to this was stuffing this kind of phyllo triangle with an Indian-spiced meat filling…a friend of mine gave me a recipe. I haven’t done it in a long time but I remember everyone loved it. I know these would go so quick in a crowd!
Hope you guys have a fun and safe Halloween. The little guy is too cute!
Tricia Buice says
The flakiness of phyllo is so amazing. It’s strong but so light too. These are very fun to make even with the messiness of the olive oil. Have a wonderful Halloween with your son!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I haven’t had these in so long! They are so easy to make and now I have a yearning for them! Have a great Halloween!
Tricia Buice says
You too Abbe – thanks!
Monique says
Oh my Littles have dressed like CA too!
How cute..and how wonderful..your spanakopitas..
I say Phyllo..and filo.
Ambidextrous;)
Tricia Buice says
Haha Monique! You are so cute and so are your littles. Have a great weekend!
cheri says
Your little Captain America is adorable, yes we will have our lights on and about 30.00 worth of candy, we get tons of kids.
The spanakopita looks amazing, I’ve always been a little afraid to tackle a recipe like this, you did great!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you Cheri – have a wonderful Halloween with your kids and candy! This recipe is a little messy with the olive oil, but it really is very simple. You can do it! Thanks again 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
I love that you can make these ahead and freeze them. That sure make for easy holiday entertaining! They look so crisp and light, yum!! I could definitely make dinner out of a few of these! That Isaac has the prettiest eyes!
Tricia Buice says
I’m with you Chris – anything make-ahead during the holidays is a plus! Thanks so much 🙂
Larry says
They look delicious Tricia.
Tricia Buice says
Thanks Larry!
Sara says
LOVE spanakopita but I usually just order it in restaurants, I’ll have to try making it at home!
Tricia Buice says
I bet your girls would love to help with this one Sara. It’s a fun mess to make!
Liz says
I haven’t made spanakopita in eons!! Yours are picture perfect! And your grandson is a doll!!!
Tricia Buice says
Thank you, thank you Liz! Have a lovely weekend!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I can’t believe you made this, it’s one of my favorite appetizer ever! These look so crisp and perfect, it’s an entire dinner for sure 🙂
Tricia Buice says
I made these just for you Sue! (wink-wink) so I hope you will give them a try. So easy and delicious – yeah!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Flaky and delicious…we are just crazy for filo treats.
Tricia Buice says
Filo, phyllo or fillo – no matter what you call it we love it too!