Description
These Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry Twists are a delicious and easy appetizer or snack, combining the flaky, buttery texture of puff pastry with a savory mixture of sautéed spinach, tangy feta, and creamy cheese. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, these twists bake to golden perfection with a simple egg wash finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
Filling
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Egg Wash
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature while you prepare the filling and pastry.
- Sauté Garlic: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the chopped fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly to avoid cooking the cheese filling when combined.
- Prepare Filling: In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach, crumbled feta cheese, softened cream cheese, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to create a uniform, creamy mixture.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Unroll the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Spread the spinach and feta filling evenly over one half of the pastry sheet, leaving a small border at the edges.
- Fold Pastry: Fold the other half of the puff pastry over the filling to form a rectangle. Press down along the edges firmly to seal the filling inside and prevent it from leaking during baking.
- Cut and Twist: Cut the sealed pastry rectangle into 1-inch wide strips. Carefully twist each strip several times to form spiral shapes, which will puff beautifully when baked.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the twisted pastry strips onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them slightly apart to allow for expansion.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush it evenly over the twisted pastries. This will give them a shiny, golden-brown finish after baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the pastries are puffed up and have a golden, crispy exterior. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Make sure the spinach mixture is not too wet to prevent soggy pastry.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach—just thaw and squeeze out excess moisture.
- For a stronger garlic flavor, increase minced garlic to 2 cloves.
- If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds or nigella seeds on top after egg wash for extra texture and flavor.
- Serve warm for the best taste and texture, but they can also be enjoyed at room temperature.
