If you are searching for a savory, flaky treat that perfectly balances creamy cheese and vibrant greens, this Spinach Puffs Recipe is exactly what you need. These irresistible spinach-filled pastries combine buttery puff pastry with a luscious filling of spinach, tangy feta, and aromatic herbs, making them a delightful snack or appetizer. Each bite offers a delightful texture contrast between the crisp, golden crust and the soft, flavorful interior that’s simply unforgettable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Spinach Puffs Recipe are wonderfully simple, each one playing a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color. From fresh herbs to creamy cheeses and that magical puff pastry, every component shines through in the final dish.
- Butter: Adds richness and a lovely base flavor when sautéing the onions and garlic.
- Onion: Provides a sweet and savory depth that’s gentle yet essential.
- Garlic: Brings aromatic warmth that lifts the entire filling.
- Frozen spinach: The heart of the dish; once thawed and cooked, it offers a vibrant green color and earthy taste.
- Parsley: Freshness and a mild peppery note that brightens the mix.
- Dill: Infuses a subtle, aromatic herbiness that complements the spinach beautifully.
- Nutmeg: A tiny pinch adds a warm, cozy undertone to the filling.
- Lemon zest: Brings a lively brightness that prevents the filling from feeling heavy.
- Cream cheese: Provides creaminess and silkiness, keeping the filling moist.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a touch of nutty sharpness and savory depth.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled throughout, this cheese gives bursts of tangy, salty goodness.
- Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance all the flavors.
- Puff pastry sheet: The flaky, golden shell that holds all the delicious filling together.
- Vegetable oil: Used for greasing the muffin pan to ensure easy removal and crisp edges.
How to Make Spinach Puffs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Ingredients
Start off by preheating your oven to a hot 425°F (220°C). This will help the puff pastry rise beautifully, creating that signature crispness we all love. While the oven heats, chop the thawed spinach, dice your onion, and finely mince the garlic. Having everything prepped makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 2: Cook the Aromatics and Spinach
In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt your butter and add the diced onion. Cook until it’s soft and translucent, about 4 to 5 minutes — this brings out its natural sweetness. Next, toss in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then, add the chopped spinach and cook it until all the excess moisture has evaporated. This step is critical to avoid soggy puffs later.
Step 3: Mix the Filling Ingredients
Transfer your cooked spinach mixture to a bowl. Add chopped parsley, dill, the pinch of nutmeg, lemon zest, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Stir these ingredients together gently to combine all the flavors. Season generously with salt and pepper, then fold in the crumbled feta cheese delicately so it blends but still keeps its lovely texture. Chill this filling for 10 to 15 minutes — cooling it helps it firm up for easier handling.
Step 4: Prepare the Puff Pastry and Muffin Pan
Grease your muffin pan liberally with vegetable oil — this grease ensures the pastries will release easily after baking without sticking. Take the chill off your puff pastry by rolling it into a slightly larger rectangle if necessary, then divide it into 12 equal squares, perfectly matching the 12 muffin cups.
Step 5: Assemble Your Spinach Puffs
Place each square of puff pastry gently inside each muffin cup, pressing it down so it lines the cup. Spoon the chilled spinach filling evenly into each pastry-lined cup. To form each puff, bring the four edges of each square up and lightly pinch them together in the center. There’s no need to seal them airtight — a little bit of openings gives the puffs a beautiful golden finish as they bake.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the filled pastries for 15 minutes at 425°F (220°C), then reduce the oven temperature to 320°F (160°C) and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the tops turn a deep golden brown. This two-stage baking ensures a crisp exterior without burning and a fully cooked filling inside.
Step 7: Cool and Remove
Once baked, take the muffin pan out of the oven and let the puffs cool slightly to set. Use a knife or small palette knife to gently loosen each puff from the pan edges — this will help them slip out effortlessly without losing their shape or flaky layers.
How to Serve Spinach Puffs Recipe
Garnishes
These Spinach Puffs look stunning topped with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or dill right before serving. A light dusting of grated parmesan over the warm puffs adds a tempting aroma and a little extra cheesy delight that’s hard to resist.
Side Dishes
Spinach Puffs pair beautifully with fresh, crisp salads like a lemony arugula salad or a Mediterranean cucumber and tomato salad. Their light, flaky texture also complements creamy soups or stews, making them a versatile snack or appetizer.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or cozy gathering, arrange these puffs on a wooden board interspersed with fresh herb sprigs, lemon wedges, and small bowls of yogurt or tzatziki for dipping. You can also serve them warm in mini muffin tins to keep them snug and easy to grab, adding a touch of rustic charm to your table setup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Spinach Puffs, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them covered prevents the pastry from drying out while maintaining that wonderful flaky texture.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked stuffed puff pastries by assembling them in the muffin pan, then wrapping the entire pan tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to one month. When ready to bake, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and bake according to the recipe steps. This way, you’re always ready for a quick, impressive snack!
Reheating
To reheat your spinach puffs, pop them into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. This reheating method crisps the puff pastry perfectly, reviving its flaky texture while warming the filling through. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make pastries soggy.
FAQs
Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?
Absolutely! Fresh spinach works wonderfully; just be sure to cook it down to evaporate any excess moisture, then chop it finely. This will help keep the filling from becoming watery and ensure your puffs stay crisp and delicious.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can easily adapt the Spinach Puffs Recipe to be vegan by substituting butter with a plant-based alternative, using vegan cream cheese, and omitting the parmesan and feta or swapping them for vegan cheese alternatives. Adjust seasoning to taste to maintain the rich flavors.
What if I don’t have puff pastry?
Puff pastry is key to the flaky texture of these puffs, but if you’re in a pinch, phyllo dough can be used, though the texture will be different. Be sure to layer and brush it generously with butter or oil to mimic the flakiness of puff pastry.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, the filling can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Chilling it helps the flavors meld beautifully, and it also makes filling the puff pastry easier because it firms up slightly.
Are these Spinach Puffs suitable for freezing after baking?
They can be frozen after baking, but note that the texture of puff pastry can change slightly. Freeze cooled puffs in an airtight container separated by parchment paper, and reheat in the oven for best results.
Final Thoughts
Making this Spinach Puffs Recipe is like wrapping up a handful of your favorite garden flavors inside golden, buttery parcels of joy. Whether you serve them as an appetizer, snack, or party treat, their irresistible combination of crispy pastry and creamy, herb-infused spinach filling will leave everyone asking for more. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the warmth and comfort these delightful puffs bring to your table.
Print
Spinach Puffs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 spinach puffs
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Spinach Puffs are delightful, flaky pastries filled with a flavorful mix of spinach, garlic, herbs, and a trio of creamy cheeses. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, they feature a golden puff pastry crust baked to perfection, offering a savory and satisfying bite that’s both elegant and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 10 ounces (285g) frozen spinach, thawed and chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- Zest grated from 1 lemon
- 3 ounces (85g) cream cheese
- 1/4 cup (22g) grated parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup (45g) crumbled feta cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Pastry and Preparation
- 1 sheet puff pastry (about 10 ounces or 285g)
- Vegetable oil (for greasing the muffin pan)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the desired temperature for baking the puffs.
- Prepare vegetables: Chop the thawed spinach, dice the onion finely, and mince the garlic cloves.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to release the aroma.
- Cook spinach: Add the chopped spinach to the pan and cook until all excess liquid has evaporated, ensuring a non-watery filling.
- Mix filling: Transfer the cooked spinach mixture to a bowl. Add parsley, dill, nutmeg, lemon zest, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese. Chill the filling in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to let flavors meld and to cool the mixture.
- Prepare muffin pan: Generously grease a muffin pan with vegetable oil; avoid using muffin liners to allow the pastry to crisp properly.
- Prepare puff pastry: Remove the puff pastry sheet from the fridge. If needed, roll it out slightly to form a rectangle. Cut the pastry into 12 equal squares, arranged as 4 columns by 3 rows.
- Line muffin cups: Place one pastry square into each muffin cup, pressing it gently to fit the shape.
- Fill pastries: Spoon the chilled spinach filling evenly into each pastry-lined cup.
- Form puffs: Bring the four edges of each pastry square towards the center over the filling. Lightly pinch the edges together in the middle, leaving them slightly open without completely sealing.
- Bake: Bake the puffs at 425°F (220°C) for 15 minutes. Then reduce the oven temperature to 320°F (160°C) and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the pastry is deeply golden and cooked through.
- Cool and release: Remove the muffin pan from the oven and allow the puffs to cool slightly. Run a knife or small palette knife around the edges of each puff to help release them from the pan.
- Serve: Enjoy your warm, savory spinach puffs as an appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Make sure to fully thaw and squeeze excess water out of the spinach to avoid soggy filling.
- Chilling the filling helps the cheeses set and makes handling easier.
- Do not overfill the pastry cups to prevent the filling from spilling during baking.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper depending on the saltiness of the cheeses used.
- You can substitute fresh spinach leaves if preferred, but cook and drain them thoroughly before use.
- If puff pastry is too thick, roll it gently to the recommended size for better puffing.
