🧀 Cream Cheese Spinach Puffs (Mediterranean Style)

Makes: 12–16 puffs
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 18–22 minutes

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📝 Ingredients

For the Filling

• 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped (or ¾ cup thawed frozen spinach, well-squeezed)

• 150 g cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (Mediterranean touch)

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp fresh dill or parsley, chopped

• ½ tsp oregano

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

• Salt (only if needed – feta is salty)

For the Pastry

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

• Optional: sesame seeds or nigella seeds for topping

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🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling

1. Heat olive oil in a pan.

2. Sauté onions for 2 minutes.

3. Add garlic and spinach; cook until spinach wilts and moisture evaporates.

4. Cool slightly, then transfer to a bowl.

5. Add cream cheese, feta, dill/parsley, oregano, pepper, and chili flakes.

6. Mix until creamy and well combined.

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2. Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Roll out puff pastry and cut into 12–16 squares.

3. Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each square.

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3. Shape the Puffs

You can shape them in two ways:

✨ Fold-Over Triangle Style

• Fold into triangles and seal edges with a fork.

✨ Pinched “Parcel” Style

• Bring all four corners to the center and pinch tightly.

Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle sesame/nigella seeds if desired.

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4. Bake

• Bake for 18–22 minutes, until puffed, golden, and crispy.

• Allow to cool slightly so the filling sets.

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🌿 Mediterranean Serving Ideas

Serve with:

• Tzatziki

• Roasted red pepper dip

• Olive tapenade

• Herbed yogurt sauce

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💡 Tips

• Make ahead and freeze unbaked puffs; bake straight from freezer.

• Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes or olives for extra Mediterranean flavor.

• For a lighter version, replace cream cheese with Greek yogurt cream cheese.