There’s something irresistibly cozy about flaky, golden pastries filled with savory spinach and tangy feta. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe with you — it’s a classic spanakopita twist that’s surprisingly simple to pull off and always a crowd-pleaser.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Making these spinach and feta turnovers always feels like a little celebration in my kitchen. The way the phyllo dough crisps up combined with the herby, cheesy filling reminds me of sharing homemade treats with friends on a lazy afternoon.
- Simplicity meets tradition: You get the authentic flavor of spanakopita without fussing over complicated steps.
- Perfectly crispy texture: The buttery layers of phyllo bake up golden and crunchy every single time.
- Fresh and flavorful filling: The mix of herbs, sautéed spinach, and rich feta makes every bite a delight.
- Great for any occasion: These turnovers can be appetizers, snacks, or even a light meal—totally versatile.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe plays its part to build layers of flavor and texture. I always tell my friends, picking quality fresh herbs and good feta makes a big difference, and handling the phyllo dough with care ensures that perfect crisp.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and helps soften the spinach and onions for that melt-in-your-mouth filling.
- Fresh spinach leaves: The star green – use fresh for vibrant flavor and texture.
- Onion and green onions: Provide sweetness and a gentle onion flavor that balances the feta.
- Minced garlic: Small but mighty for adding subtle warmth.
- Fresh parsley and dill: Classic herbs that brighten the filling with freshness and depth.
- Feta cheese: The salty creaminess that makes these turnovers irresistible—crumbled for even distribution.
- Egg: Binds the filling so it holds together nicely inside the phyllo.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the flavors.
- Phyllo dough sheets: Thin, flaky layers that crisp up beautifully when baked.
- Butter: Melted and brushed onto each phyllo layer, creating golden crunch and buttery flavor.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe depending on what herbs I have on hand or how hearty I want the filling. It’s so flexible, and you can make it your own pretty easily.
- Variation: Sometimes I add a handful of finely chopped artichoke hearts or swap dill for mint — it adds a bright twist that’s surprisingly delicious.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe
Step 1: Sauté spinach to tender perfection
Start by heating up a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add half your spinach—you’ll notice it wilts down almost instantly. Then toss in the rest and cook for about 3-4 minutes until everything is softened. Don’t skip wringing out the excess water after it cools down; if it’s too wet, the filling will be soggy.
Step 2: Build your flavorful filling
Wipe out that pan and add the remaining olive oil to cook your onions until soft and fragrant—roughly 3-4 minutes. Toss in the green onions, garlic, parsley, and dill and sauté just until those aromatics bloom, about 30 seconds. Mix everything into a bowl with your chopped spinach, feta, beaten egg, and season generously with salt and pepper. Give it a good stir so all those flavors come together.
Step 3: Handle the phyllo with care
Unroll your phyllo dough gently on a clean surface and keep it covered with a damp towel or plastic wrap so it won't dry out. Layer one sheet down with the short side facing you, brush on melted butter, then place a second sheet on top and butter that too. This layering is what gives you that irresistible crisp texture.
Step 4: Form your turnovers
Cut the layered dough vertically into 3-inch wide strips. Spoon about 1½ teaspoons of filling at one end of each strip, then fold the corner over the filling to start a triangle shape. Keep folding that strip like a flag until you reach the end. Brush with a bit more melted butter to seal it all in and place it seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake it golden brown
Arrange your turnovers about 1½ inches apart on the sheet pan and bake at 375°F for 18-20 minutes. You want them beautifully golden and crisp on the outside before digging in. Just trust your eyes here—they’re done when they’re a rich, golden color.
Top Tip
I’ve found these little tips make a world of difference when you’re working with phyllo dough for this Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe. They’ll help you avoid soggy pies and broken dough.
- Keep phyllo covered: It dries out so quickly—cover it tightly with a damp towel to keep it pliable while you work.
- Don’t skip squeezing out water: I learned the hard way that watery spinach makes the filling too wet and the dough soggy. Squeeze as much moisture as you can.
- Butter each layer: It might seem fussy, but brushing butter between layers is the secret for that beautiful golden crunch.
- Fold triangles tightly: If you fold the turnover snugly, it holds together much better and you won’t have filling leaking out during baking.
How to Serve Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a little extra fresh dill or parsley on top before serving for that pop of color and herbaceous freshness. A squeeze of lemon juice on the side also brightens up the buttery richness beautifully.
Side Dishes
These turnovers pair wonderfully with a crisp Greek salad or a vibrant tomato cucumber salad. For something warm, a bowl of lemony chicken soup is just perfect alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I arrange the turnovers in a circular pattern on a platter with small bowls of tzatziki or marinara sauce for dipping — always a hit! You can also thread a few on skewers for fun handheld appetizers at your next gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After they cool, I store leftover turnovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They keep well, though the phyllo might lose a bit of its crispness over time.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these turnovers successfully by arranging them in a single layer on a sheet, freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from frozen—just add a few more minutes to baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, pop them in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes to revitalize that crunch. I avoid the microwave because it tends to make the phyllo soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can use frozen spinach, but make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out as much moisture as possible before mixing it into the filling to avoid sogginess.
Phyllo dough dries quickly when exposed to air, so always keep it covered with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel while working with it to keep it soft and pliable.
Absolutely! You can assemble the turnovers and freeze them before baking. When you're ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time for best results.
They’re fantastic with Greek salad, tzatziki dip, or a side of fresh tomato cucumber salad. For a heartier meal, pair them with a soup or roasted vegetables.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe is one of those dishes I keep returning to because it just feels like home whenever I make it. It’s warm, comforting, and full of flavor without being complicated — exactly the kind of recipe I’m happy to share with friends and family. I hope you give it a try and discover how fun and satisfying homemade spanakopita can be. You’ll enjoy every crisp, cheesy bite, just like I do!
Print
Easy Baked Spinach and Feta Turnovers Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 30 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Spanakopita recipe features a flavorful blend of sautéed spinach, feta cheese, onions, and fresh herbs wrapped in crispy, buttery phyllo dough triangles. Perfect as an appetizer or main course, these golden-brown pastries are deliciously flaky and savory, guaranteed to impress at any meal or gathering.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided use)
- 2 pounds fresh spinach leaves
- ½ cup onion (finely chopped)
- ½ cup green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 8 ounces feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Phyllo and Butter
- 1 pound phyllo dough sheets (thawed)
- ¾ cup butter (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
- Cook Spinach: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add half of the spinach and cook until wilted, then add the rest and continue cooking for 3-4 minutes until all spinach is fully wilted.
- Drain and Chop Spinach: Remove the spinach from the pan and transfer to a bowl. Let it cool slightly, then wring out excess water. Coarsely chop the spinach and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Herbs: Wipe out the pan with a paper towel, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, and heat over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Stir in the green onions, minced garlic, parsley, and dill; cook for an additional 30 seconds to release their flavors.
- Mix Filling: Transfer the onion mixture to a large bowl. Add the chopped spinach, crumbled feta cheese, and lightly beaten egg. Season generously with salt and pepper to taste and mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Prepare Phyllo Dough: Unroll the phyllo dough onto a flat clean surface, keeping the dough covered with plastic wrap or a damp towel to prevent it from drying out while you work.
- Layer and Butter Phyllo: Lay one sheet of phyllo dough with the long edge facing you. Brush it evenly with melted butter. Layer a second sheet on top and brush it with melted butter as well.
- Cut Dough into Strips: Cut the buttered two-layer dough vertically into 3-inch wide strips ready for filling and folding.
- Add Filling and Fold Triangles: Place 1 ½ teaspoons of the spinach filling on one end of a dough strip. Fold one corner over the filling to form a triangle. Continue folding the strip over itself in a triangular flag-folding pattern until the entire strip is folded into a neat triangle.
- Prepare for Baking: Brush the top of each folded triangle with melted butter and place it on the prepared sheet pan, spacing them about 1 ½ inches apart to allow for even browning and crispiness.
- Repeat for All Triangles: Continue the filling and folding process for all dough strips until filling and dough are used up.
- Bake Spanakopita: Bake one sheet pan at a time in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown and crisp on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately while warm to enjoy the fresh flaky texture and savory filling.
Notes
- Keep the phyllo dough covered with plastic wrap or a damp towel to prevent it from drying out when not in use.
- Wringing out excess moisture from the spinach is crucial to prevent soggy spanakopita.
- Feta cheese can be substituted with a combination of ricotta and parmesan for a milder flavor.
- Leftover spanakopita can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
- For a vegan version, substitute the feta with a plant-based cheese and use a flax egg instead of a regular egg.
- Use clarified butter or olive oil instead of butter to reduce saturated fat content.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 72 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 127 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg
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