Description
These Easiest Spinach & Feta Empanadas are golden, flaky pastry pockets filled with a savory mixture of fresh spinach, creamy feta cheese, sautéed onion, and garlic. Perfect as quick appetizers, light meals, or crowd-pleasing snacks, they combine effortless preparation with wholesome ingredients and customizable fillings for delicious, flaky bites every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry & Dough
- Pre-made empanada dough or puff pastry (quantity depending on desired number of empanadas)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Filling
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions and garlic until they become translucent and fragrant. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, making sure excess moisture evaporates. Remove from heat and stir in the crumbled feta cheese. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the empanadas: Roll out your empanada dough or puff pastry on a clean work surface. Cut the dough into circles or squares according to your dough type and preferred empanada size. Spoon a generous amount of the spinach and feta filling onto one half of each dough piece, leaving space around the edges for sealing.
- Seal and brush: Fold the dough over the filling to form a pouch. Press the edges firmly together using a fork or your fingers to seal tightly and prevent bursting. Lightly beat the egg and brush it over the top of each empanada to ensure a glossy, golden finish when baked.
- Bake until golden: Place the assembled empanadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and crisp. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Drain spinach well to avoid soggy dough.
- Use cold dough to help maintain flakiness while baking.
- Do not overfill the empanadas to prevent bursting.
- Brush with egg wash for an attractive golden crust.
- Allow empanadas to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to let filling set.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 empanada
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: spinach empanadas, feta empanadas, easy appetizer, spinach and cheese pastry, flaky empanadas, vegetarian snack
