Mini Spanakopita Spinach and Feta Cheese Bites Recipe

Name: Spanakopita Bites: Spinach and Feta Cheese Appetizers
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 45 pieces
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh spinach, chopped (you can substitute frozen, thawed well); 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 large onion (finely minced); 1 bunch green onion (diced, including 4 inches of the green part); 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley; 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill; Pinch of ground nutmeg; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1/4 pound feta cheese (crumbled); 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese); 45 phyllo pastry shells (frozen)

Prep: 30 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 50 mins

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Spanakopita bites are mini phyllo pastry shells filled with a delicious spinach and feta cheese mixture. Spanakopita is a traditional Greek dish consisting of spinach and feta cheese baked between layers of phyllo dough. It can be made as a pie or "pita," as individual phyllo triangles, or somewhat untraditionally, in phyllo pastry shells.

Working with phyllo can be a bit laborious, as you need to brush each sheet of phyllo dough with melted butter before layering—and there are lots of layers. Alternatively, you can use each sheet to create triangular packets, which not only requires the melted butter but also involves a specific folding technique. This recipe for spanakopita bites, however, is quicker and simpler than these other versions, since they use phyllo pastry shells (which are available frozen in the freezer section of the grocery store). They taste just as great, and they're cute to look at and fun to eat!

1 pound fresh spinach, chopped (you can substitute frozen, thawed well)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion (finely minced)
1 bunch green onion (diced, including 4 inches of the green part)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 pound feta cheese (crumbled)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
45 phyllo pastry shells (frozen)

Gather the ingredients.

The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg
Wash and drain the chopped spinach very well. If using frozen spinach, thaw completely and squeeze out excess water very well. Spinach should be quite dry.

The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg
Heat the olive oil in a deep sauté pan or dutch oven. Sauté the onions and green onions until tender. Add the spinach, parsley, and dill and cook for 5 to 10 minutes until the spinach is wilted and heated through. Add the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.

The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg
Cook the spinach mixture until the excess moisture evaporates. You want it to be on the dry side. Remove from heat and set the spinach aside to cool.

The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg
Once the spinach has cooled, add the crumbled feta, eggs, and ricotta cheese, and mix until combined.

The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly brush the insides of the frozen phyllo shells with olive oil and fill with spinach mixture until approximately 3/4 full.

The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg
Bake the filled shells on a baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the filling is cooked through. Serve immediately.

The Spruce / Eric Kleinberg

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
85	Calories
3g	Fat
11g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories	85
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g	4%
Saturated Fat 1g	5%
Cholesterol 12mg	4%
Sodium 143mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate 11g	4%
Dietary Fiber 1g	3%
Protein 3g
Calcium 37mg	3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.