Golden phyllo shatters like glass, giving way to a steamy green hug of spinach, feta tang, and dill perfume. One square of spanakopita vanishes in two bites, then you reach for another. This Greek classic isn’t hard—it’s just butter, layers, and a little patience. Let’s bake.
Why Spanakopita Rules the Table
Crispy outside, creamy-cheesy inside, feeds a crowd or freezes like a dream. Brunch, appetizer, midnight snack—yes to all. Real Greek moms swear by the squeeze; we’ll show you why.
Your Green & Gold Lineup (Ingredients)
- Spinach: 1 lb fresh (or 10 oz frozen, thawed)
- Cheese trio: 8 oz feta (crumbled), ½ cup ricotta, ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- Herbs: ½ cup dill (chopped), ¼ cup parsley (chopped), 3 green onions (thin-sliced)
- Egg binder: 2 large eggs (beaten)
- Phyllo: 1 roll (½ lb, ~20 sheets), thawed overnight in fridge
- Butter: ¾ cup melted (or mix with 2 tbsp olive oil)
- Seasoning: ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, pinch nutmeg
Gear That Makes It Easy
- 9×13 baking dish
- Pastry brush
- Clean tea towel
- Large skillet
Step 1: Wring Like You Mean It
Fresh spinach? Wilt in dry skillet 2 min, cool. Frozen? Thaw fully. Either way—bundle in a tea towel, twist until your hands cramp. No soggy pie allowed.
Step 2: Build the Filling
Sauté green onions in 1 tbsp butter 2 min. Off heat, mix spinach, cheeses, herbs, eggs, seasonings. Taste—should make you go “mmm.”
Step 3: Butter & Layer (The Fun Part)
Brush dish with butter. Lay 1 phyllo sheet, brush with butter, repeat 8–10 layers (bottom crust). Crinkle edges for rustic vibes.
Step 4: Fill & Fold
Spread spinach mix evenly. Top with 8–10 more buttered phyllo layers. Tuck edges, brush top golden. Score into squares with a sharp knife—steam escapes, cuts clean later.
Step 5: Bake to Shatter
400°F for 35–40 min. Phyllo turns deep gold, filling bubbles at edges. Rest 10 min—crisp stays crisp.
Pro Tips for Phyllo That Flakes
- Thaw right: Fridge overnight, not counter—prevents tears.
- Keep covered: Damp towel over unused sheets; they dry in seconds.
- Butter hack: Clarify butter or mix with oil for even browning.
- Freeze ahead: Assemble, wrap tight, freeze unbaked. Bake from frozen +10 min.
- Spinach swap: Swap half for Swiss chard or kale.
Serve It Party-Ready
Cut along scores. Lemon wedges on the side—acid wakes everything up. Pair with tzatziki or Greek salad.
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