These puff pastry appetizers are filled with all the good stuff, including spinach, bacon bits and feta. As you can imagine, they are a hit at parties, and rightfully so!
If we’re having a party, you can count on these spinach puffs being served as an appetizer. We usually serve them with our other favorites including bacon wrapped smokies, cucumber sandwiches, and some kind of dip!
a quick + easy appetizer
I have so many favorite appetizer recipes, it’s sometimes hard to choose which ones I’m going to make for parties or family gatherings.
I’ve told you before, my family gets together on New Years Eve for games and LOTS of appetizers. Well, this spinach puff pastry appetizer is one that is almost always part of the appetizer spread! My mom was the first one to try it, and since then, we’ve made it over and over again.
They’re everything you want from an appetizer! Cheesy, savory, crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside… Basically they’re the best. You might have to double the recipe to make sure there are enough for all your party guests!
Trust me, these spinach puffs disappear quick!
how to make spinach puffs
FILLING. Microwave your cream cheese 10 seconds at a time until it’s soft and melted but not steaming. Add egg, oil and dill into cream cheese and mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, combine spinach, feta and bacon. Pour your cream cheese mixture on top and season with salt and pepper. Use a fork to mix and combine it together.
Note: You can use frozen spinach. Be sure to squeeze out any excess liquid otherwise the puffs may become too soggy.
PUFF PASTRY. Cut pastry sheet into 9 squares. Line muffin pan with your cut squares (you might need to stretch them out a little). Press into the bottom of the muffin cups. Evenly divide the spinach among the cups.
Bring your 4 pastry points together, covering the filling, and press them together. Lightly brush with the melted butter.
BAKE, COOL, & SERVE. Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minute until golden and puffy. Allow to cool for 10 minutes then use a knife around the edges to loosen and help pop them out.
In a mini muffin tin: You’ll have to adjust the size of the cut pastry by cutting 18 squares instead of 9. otherwise the directions are the same. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.
Substitutions/additives: I love these spinach puffs as they are, but the great thing about them is you can customize them to your preference. For example: You can switch the bacon with diced ham or even diced mushrooms. You can substitute the feta with ricotta or mozzarella.
Making ahead of time
The good news is that you can make these spinach puffs ahead of time, which will give you plenty of time to prepare everything else right beforehand! You have a few options to choose from:
- You can make these up to 3 hours ahead of time. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.
- Filling only: the filling can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days or in the freezer for 1-2 months. Thaw, if applicable, assemble and bake according to directions.
- Freeze uncooked: Assemble as directed in the recipe directions except place them in the freezer instead of the oven. Allow them to freeze for 2-3 hours then remove them from the muffin tin and put them in an airtight freezer container. Freeze for 1-2 months. When you’re ready to bake them put the frozen puffs back into the muffin tin. Bake at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.
- Freeze Baked: Once the puffs have been baked allow them to cool. Place puffs in an airtight freezer safe container separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for 1-2 months. Reheat in the oven before serving.
So delicious and perfect for any party, get together or holiday. 😉
For even more appetizers, check out:
- Brown Sugar Glazed Lil’ Smokies
- Homemade Bruschetta
- Jalapeno Popper Wonton Cups
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach Puffs Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp dried dill
- 2 cups fresh spinach chopped and packed
- 3/4 cup crumbled feta
- 2 tsp bacon bits
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
- 1 tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Spray 9 cups in a muffin pan with cooking spray.
- Microwave your cream cheese 10 seconds at a time until it's soft and melted but not steaming. Add egg, oil and dill into cream cheese and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl combine spinach, feta and bacon. Pour your cream cheese mixture on top and season with salt and pepper. Use a fork to mix and combine it together.
- Cut pastry sheet into 9 squares. Line muffin pan with your cut squares (you might need to stretch them out a little). Press into the bottom of the muffin cups. Evenly divide the spinach among the cups. Bring your 4 pastry points together, covering the filling, and press them together. Lightly brush with the melted butter.
- Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minute until golden and puffy. Allow to cool for 10 minutes then use a knife around the edges to loosen and help pop them out.
Video
Recipe adapted from HERE.
Another yummy appetizer thats semi healthy and taste great.
I’m wondering if this could work as pinwheels instead of using the muffin tin? Or do you think the filling would be too thick? Thanks!
That’s a good question. It might be too thick, but maybe not..one way to find out 🙂
Keeper, keeper, keeper!!! These were a huge hit at my dinner party and wonderfully Easy and quick to prepare! They will Be making aN appearance again! Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome!! I am so glad you shared that! Thank you!
No instructions for preparing the spinach. Calls for four cups fresh spinach chopped. Do we just throw uncooked spinach in with the cream cheese? Thx
Yes or you could use frozen. Just squeeze the liquid out.
Looks real good. Used to do this with a greek recipe from my mother in law. My question is: how about making it gluten free, how can we get this fluffy pastry gluten free?
They are amazing! I am not a gluten-free expert, so you would need to look at each ingredient & see what you could get gluten-free.
Huge Thanksgiving appetizer hit! Will use more cream cheese next time. The bacon is a great addition.
Glad it was a hit!! Thank you for trying it & for letting me know!
Amazingly Delicious, will not last long. I doubled the bacon. Can’t wait to make it again.
The more bacon, the better 🙂 Thank you!
10
Yay!! I am so happy you like them that much! Thank you!!
They were great
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you so much!
These are delicious!!
I am so happy you think so 🙂 Thank you!