Spanakopita Recipe

This Spanakopita Recipe is the legendary Greek pie that has been made in Greek homes and bakeries for centuries. The extraordinary sound of shattering crispy phyllo when you break through it. The rich, intensely savory filling of spinach and feta that fills the kitchen with a deeply appetizing aroma as it bakes. Furthermore, every single slice is completely different from anything else in the food world.

Moreover, this Spanakopita Recipe is one of the most searched summer dinner ideas, picnic food ideas and quick cooking recipes among Mediterranean food lovers on Pinterest. For more wonderful Greek and Mediterranean inspired recipes, also explore our vibrant Caprese Salad Recipe, our fresh Nicoise Salad Recipe and our full Snacks and Appetizers collection.

The Phyllo Pastry in This Spanakopita Recipe

Phyllo pastry is the most important component of this Spanakopita Recipe. Furthermore, working with it correctly is the key skill that determines the final crispiness and visual quality of the finished pie.

Working with Phyllo Pastry

Phyllo dries out and cracks very quickly when exposed to air. Furthermore, always keep the unused phyllo sheets covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel while working. Additionally, work quickly and confidently rather than slowly and hesitantly. Consequently, a damaged or cracked sheet of phyllo is not a disaster as the multiple layers mean any imperfections are hidden in the finished pie.

Butter vs Olive Oil

Traditional spanakopita uses melted butter to brush each phyllo layer. Moreover, olive oil is equally traditional in many Greek regions and produces a slightly more fragrant and less rich result. Additionally, a mixture of both butter and olive oil produces a beautifully balanced flavor and an extraordinary golden crispiness. Consequently, the mixed approach is the recommended method in this recipe.

Why You Will Love This Spanakopita Recipe Shatteringly crispy golden phyllo · Rich savory spinach and feta filling · Serves 6 to 8 people · Perfect summer dinner and picnic food · Travels brilliantly and tastes great cold or warm · The most impressive Greek pie you will ever make

The Filling for This Spanakopita Recipe

The filling is the soul of this Spanakopita Recipe. Furthermore, the key to a great filling is removing as much moisture as possible from the spinach before mixing. Consequently, wet spinach produces a soggy filling that makes the phyllo pastry soft and prevents it from crisping properly.

Draining the Spinach

After wilting the spinach, squeeze it with extraordinary force in a clean kitchen towel or your hands until completely dry. Moreover, the amount of water that comes out is always surprising even when the spinach looks dry. Additionally, squeezing in batches rather than all at once produces a more thoroughly drained result. Consequently, properly drained spinach produces a firm, rich and intensely flavored filling rather than a wet, bland one.

The Feta

Use good quality Greek feta in brine rather than reduced fat feta or salad cheese. Furthermore, authentic Greek feta has a rich, tangy and complex flavor that cheap feta alternatives cannot replicate. Additionally, crumbling rather than grating the feta produces larger, more distinct pockets of cheese that create beautiful bursts of salty creaminess throughout the filling. Consequently, the quality and preparation of the feta makes a significant difference to the finished flavor.

Whole Pie vs Individual Triangles

This Spanakopita Recipe can be baked as a whole rectangular pie or as individual folded triangles. Furthermore, individual triangles are perfect for picnic food and party snacks as they are completely portable and self contained. On the other hand, a whole pie baked in a baking tray is more impressive for a dinner table and produces more dramatic phyllo layers.

How to Make This Spanakopita Recipe

The method runs in clear stages. First, prepare and drain the filling. Then layer the phyllo base. Add the filling. Top with more buttered phyllo layers. Score and bake. The full method is in the recipe card below.

What to Serve with Spanakopita

This Spanakopita Recipe is spectacular on its own. However, these pairings create a complete Greek inspired spread:

Perfect Pairings

• A simple Greek salad with cucumber, tomato, olives and feta alongside for a complete Greek meal
• Creamy tzatziki dipping sauce for serving alongside each slice
• Our vibrant Caprese Salad Recipe as a fresh Mediterranean side
• Our stunning Burrata Salad Recipe as an elegant starter before the spanakopita
• A chilled glass of Assyrtiko or Greek white wine alongside for an authentic Hellenic pairing

Easy Variations for This Spanakopita Recipe

Try These Trending TwistsSpanakopita Triangles — Cut each phyllo sheet into long strips and fold individual portions into triangles. Furthermore, these bite sized hand pies are one of the most perfect picnic food ideas and party appetizers imaginable.
Spanakopita with Ricotta — Replace half the feta with ricotta cheese. Moreover, the ricotta adds a creamy, milky sweetness that creates a more delicate and elegant filling version.
Sun Dried Tomato Spanakopita — Add finely chopped sun dried tomatoes to the filling. Furthermore, the intense sweet acidity of sun dried tomatoes creates a beautifully complex variation that is enormously popular as a summer dinner idea.
Mushroom and Spinach Spanakopita — Add finely diced sauteed mushrooms to the spinach filling. Additionally, the earthy mushrooms add a wonderful depth and meaty quality that makes the pie more substantial as a main course.
Mini Spanakopita Muffins — Press buttered phyllo sheets into a muffin tin and fill with the spinach mixture. Consequently, these individual spanakopita cups are one of the most adorable and shareable party snacks on Pinterest right now.

Make This Spanakopita Recipe Today

In conclusion, this Spanakopita Recipe is the most crispy, satisfying and deeply impressive Greek pie you can make at home. Therefore, whether it is a summer dinner, a picnic food showstopper or a party snack, this recipe always creates a spectacular impression. Browse more of our wonderful Snacks and Appetizers and share your results in the comments below!