Spinach Puffs Recipe

Who doesn’t love bite-sized, flaky, and buttery pastry pockets filled with creamy, cheesy goodness? Spinach puffs are a delicious appetizer or snack that combines the earthy flavor of spinach with rich cheeses and spices, all wrapped in golden puff pastry. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing for a holiday gathering, or just looking for a savory treat, spinach puffs are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Easy to Make: Using store-bought puff pastry saves time and effort.
2. Versatile: Perfect as appetizers, snacks, or even a light meal.
3. Customizable: Swap out cheeses or add different spices for unique flavors.
4. Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the filling and assemble ahead of time, then bake when ready.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Spinach Filling

1. Cook the Spinach:
   • Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
   • If using frozen spinach, ensure it’s thawed and drained well.
2. Sauté the Garlic:
   • Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds, stirring to prevent burning.
3. Combine Ingredients:
   • Transfer the cooked spinach to a mixing bowl.
   • Add ricotta, feta, Parmesan, egg yolk, nutmeg (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.

Step 2: Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Thaw the Pastry:
   • Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and let it thaw until pliable, about 20-30 minutes.
2. Roll and Cut:
   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to smooth any creases.
   • Cut the pastry into 12 equal squares (approximately 3×3 inches).

Step 3: Assemble the Spinach Puffs

1. Fill the Pastry:
   • Place a spoonful of the spinach filling in the center of each puff pastry square. Be careful not to overfill.
2. Fold and Seal:
   • Fold the pastry squares diagonally to form triangles, or bring all corners to the center for a pocket shape.
   • Pinch the edges to seal them tightly, using a fork to crimp if desired.

Step 4: Add the Finishing Touches

1. Brush with Egg Wash:
   • Lightly brush the tops of the puffs with beaten egg to ensure a golden, shiny finish.
2. Optional Garnish:
   • Sprinkle sesame seeds or parsley over the tops for added texture and flavor.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bake:
   • Place the spinach puffs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
   • Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
3. Cool Slightly:
   • Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for Success

1. Drain the Spinach Thoroughly

• Excess water in the spinach can make the filling runny and prevent the pastry from baking evenly.

2. Use Cold Pastry

• Keep the puff pastry cold while working with it to ensure maximum puffiness during baking.

3. Don’t Overfill

• Overfilling can cause the pastry to burst open during baking. Stick to a heaping teaspoon of filling per square.

4. Customize the Filling

• Add sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions, or cooked bacon for extra flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Spinach puffs are versatile and pair wonderfully with many dishes:

• Dips: Serve with marinara sauce, tzatziki, or ranch dressing.
• Salad: Pair with a fresh garden salad for a light meal.
• Soup: Enjoy alongside tomato soup or creamy mushroom soup.

Variations

1. Vegan Spinach Puffs

• Substitute cheeses with dairy-free alternatives and use vegan puff pastry.

2. Gluten-Free Option

• Use gluten-free puff pastry and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

3. Spicy Spinach Puffs

• Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the filling for a spicy kick.

4. Mediterranean Twist

• Incorporate chopped olives and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean flavor profile.

FAQs

1. Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?
Yes, phyllo dough works well, but the texture will be crispier and less flaky.

2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the puffs and refrigerate them for up to 12 hours before baking.

3. What other greens can I use?
You can substitute spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or even arugula.

4. Can I use pre-made spinach dip as the filling?
Yes, pre-made spinach dip can save time, but adjust the seasoning to balance the flavors.

5. Can these be made into larger portions?
Certainly! Simply cut the puff pastry into larger squares and increase the filling proportionally.

Yield: 12

Spinach Puffs Recipe

Print

Who doesn’t love bite-sized, flaky, and buttery pastry pockets filled with creamy, cheesy goodness? Spinach puffs are a delicious appetizer or snack that combines the earthy flavor of spinach with rich cheeses and spices, all wrapped in golden puff pastry. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing for a holiday gathering, or just looking for a savory treat, spinach puffs are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Filling:
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
• For the Pastry:
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling:
   Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
   Add chopped spinach and cook until wilted (2-3 minutes). If using frozen spinach, skip the wilting step and simply combine it with the other filling ingredients.
   In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked spinach, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mix well and set aside.
   
2. Prepare the Puff Pastry:
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into 12 equal squares.
   
3. Assemble the Puffs:
   Place a spoonful of the spinach filling in the center of each square.
   Fold the corners of the puff pastry over the filling, pinching to seal. Alternatively, fold the squares into triangles and crimp the edges with a fork.
   Place the assembled puffs on the prepared baking sheet.
   
4. Apply Egg Wash:
   Brush the tops of the puffs with the beaten egg to give them a golden, glossy finish.
   
5. Bake:
   Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and puffed up.
   
6. Cool and Serve:
   Allow the puffs to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

Make Ahead: You can prepare the filling a day in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.

Freezer-Friendly: Assemble the puffs and freeze them unbaked. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Serving Suggestions: Serve these spinach puffs as appetizers, snacks, or alongside a bowl of soup or salad.