Are you a fan of Spanakopita? After all, who isn’t?! Try our Spanakopita Cups for a quick and simple alternative to the classic recipe.

From Lizz: Spanakopita Cups are so easy to make and you will impress your family and friends with this bite size appetizer bursting with the flavors of Greece! I will often serve these during the holidays because I can make the filling the day before. The Spanakopita Cups are best served warm, right out of the oven, so a short time before our family is expected for our gathering, I fill the cups and get them in the oven. As everyone begins to arrive the house will be filled with the wonderful aromas of all the savory ingredients to open up their appetites!

I have varied my ingredients for these delicious morsels by substituting leeks for the green onions or adding some fresh mint instead of fresh dill. It really depends on what I have available in the moment. The bottom line is, what do you like and how do you want to mix up the flavors for this simple and flavorful appetizer?

Kali Orexi!

P.S. If you like Spanakopita, try our Spa nakopita Tart for a breakfast treat!

HOW TO MAKE SPANAKOPITA CUPS

Prepare and measure out all ingredients. Turn oven on to 350° F.
Defrost the frozen spinach and squeeze out all the excess water.
Add extra virgin olive oil to a skillet under medium heat. Then add minced garlic and saute for 2-3 minutes, making sure not to burn the garlic. Incorporate chopped green onions and quickly stir to incorporate all the garlic and olive oil. Remove from heat.
Then add, spinach, garlic and onion mixture, ricotta cheese, beaten egg, chopped parsley, chopped dill, sea salt, ground black pepper, ground nutmeg into a bowl and mix well to incorporate all ingredients.
Incorporate crumbled feta to spinach mixture.
Gently fold in crumbled feta cheese to spinach mixture.
Arrange phyllo cups on a baking sheet.
Add spinach mixture into phyllo cups. Place in the center rack of oven and cook for 20 minutes.
Remove from oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!

WHAT IS THE FASTEST WAY TO DEFROST FROZEN SPINACH?

I have pulled these together very last minute in the past and didn’t have time to let the spinach thaw on its own. The fastest way I have found to defrost frozen spinach is to put the frozen spinach in a fine mesh sieve and run it under cold water for a few minutes. I then squeeze it out really well. I then leave it in the fine mesh sieve over a bowl and let it continue to drain out any excess water, that I was not able to squeeze out, while I prepare my other ingredients.

WHERE DO YOU FIND THE PHYLLO SHELLS?

You can find the phyllo shells in the dessert section of the freezer section at the grocery store. My favorite brand is ATHENS, not only for the phyllo shells, but for puffed pastry, and phyllo dough. During the holidays, I use the phyllo shells A LOT because they are so convenient. I will always buy extra boxes and keep them in the freezer.

DO YOU BUY CRUMBLED FETA OR WHOLE FETA AND CRUMBLE IT YOURSELF?

I never buy packaged crumbled feta cheese because it is always dried out and less flavorful. I always buy whole feta cheese and crumble it myself. The brand I like best is Dodoni Greek Feta, which is made exclusively from 100% Greek, pasteurized sheep’s and goat’s milk and is a product of Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.). It is recognized and awarded worldwide for its high and consistent quality. We use so much feta, for our recipes and often as a side with dinner, I purchase it in larger containers from Costco. If you don’t need or want to purchase a larger quantity, just look for a whole goat’s and/or sheep’s milk Greek feta that is packed in brine. The flavors will make a difference in whatever you are cooking it with or if you are simply having it on its own.