These flaky, golden spinach and feta pastries bring the comforting, rustic flavors of a traditional Mediterranean farmhouse kitchen straight to your table. Crisp layers of delicate phyllo dough wrap around a warm, savory filling of tender green spinach and briny crumbled feta cheese. They cook to a perfect golden brown, making them an elegant starter for a dinner party or a quick, satisfying treat to enjoy at home.
Ingredients
1 pack phyllo pastry sheets, thawed
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed entirely dry)
1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese for a smooth binder)
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing the layers)
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 tsp dried dill (or fresh dill)
1 tbsp poppy seeds or sesame seeds (for the top crust)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prep the Oven and Pastry
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Carefully unroll your thawed phyllo sheets and cover them with a slightly damp clean kitchen towel to keep them from drying out while you work.
2. Mix the Savory Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chopped spinach, crumbled feta, ricotta cheese, beaten egg, minced garlic, and dill. Season with black pepper and a small pinch of salt (keeping in mind that feta is naturally quite salty). Stir thoroughly until the cheeses and greens form a uniform, creamy mixture.
3. Layer and Fill the Dough
Lay one sheet of phyllo flat on your work surface and brush it lightly with melted butter. Place a second sheet directly on top and brush again. Cut the sheets lengthwise into long strips (about 3 inches wide). Place a generous tablespoon of the spinach-feta filling at the bottom end of each strip.
4. Fold Into Triangles
Fold the corner of the strip diagonally over the filling to form a triangle, matching the edges. Continue folding the triangle along the strip, similar to folding a flag, until the entire piece of dough is wrapped around the filling. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
5. Bake Until Golden Brown
Place the folded triangles onto your prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops generously with the remaining melted butter and scatter poppy seeds evenly across each piece. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 to 18 minutes until the pastry layers turn deeply flaky, crisp, and a beautiful golden color. Serve warm!