Buttery spinach puffs are cheesy and savory with pops of bacon. As you can imagine, they are a hit at parties!
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!
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.
BAKE + SERVE. 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.
Variations
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.
I love these spinach puffs as they are, but the great thing about them is you can customize them to your preference:
- switch the bacon with diced ham
- add diced mushrooms
- change 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:
- 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
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Corn Dog Muffins
- Cheesy Zucchini Tots
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.
Sounds great..but would like a different cheese. Any suggestions for a substitute?
You could potentially swap the feta for mozzarella.
Someone on here was looking for the temp. To bake this with. As I was too. Finally found it all the way down towards the end. Bake 400 degrees
I will certainly make this recipe, and thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome!
Delicious! My husband whom hates veggies stated several times while eating this that it was really good. I gave it to him as the “veggie” part of the meal. I left out any kind of meat.
Haha I love it! So glad your hubby approved too!