If you have not tried Spanakopita before, youre in for a treat! Spanakopita is a delicious savory Greek pie made of perfectly crispy layers of phyllo dough and a comforting filling of spinach and feta cheese. Im sharing my familys favorite spanakopita recipe, complete with tips, video, and step-by-step photos. Trust me, this is so much easier to make than you think!
Spinach pies can last up to 7 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. In the freezer, these mini spinach pies will last for up to 3 months. Whether you refrigerate or freeze them, make sure to place parchment paper between the layers of pies so that they don’t stick together.
Tips for How to Make Spanakopita
The key filling ingredients in a classic spanakopita recipe are spinach and feta cheese. And yes, only use quality feta cheese, no other cheese qualifies for spanakopita.
To the spinach and feta, we add flavor makers in the form of fresh herbs and aromatics. I used two whole bunches of parsley (parsley stems pack a ton of flavor, by the way, so dont be afraid to throw some in) Then, onions, garlic and a little dry dill weed.
To bind everything together, I used four large eggs.
Do I need to cook the spinach in advance?
You need a good amount of spinach in this recipe, so using frozen spinach is the way to go. In this easy spanakopita recipe, frozen spinach–fully thawed, of course–is mixed right in with the remaining filling ingredients, no advanced cooking necessary.
But one thing you must do, be sure to drain all liquid from the thawed spinach. I ended up squeezing the spinach by hand a few times until it could no longer produce any liquid. If you do use fresh spinach, you will need to cook it with the onions and garlic, drain, and let cool completely before mixing the filling.
Golden, crispy phyllo pastry, encasing the soft spinach filling is really what spanakopita is all about! Quality of phyllo (fillo) dough can make or break the recipe! I am a big fan of organic dough from The Fillo Factory. Its vegan and contains no preservatives; no cholesterol; and no trans fat. And be sure follow the tips below for best results.
Tips for working with Phyllo Dough:
– Thaw phyllo dough properly; too much moisture will make the dough or sheets sticky and hard to manage. When thawing, do not remove the phyllo (fillo) from the package, place it in the fridge 12-14 hours before using.
-Before you begin assembling the spanakopita casserole, unroll the thawed phyllo (fillo) sheets and place them carefully between two ever-so-slightly damp kitchen cloths. This helps the sheets remain lenient so they wont tear too much.
-Do not skimp on the oil, but dont overdo it either. Some use butter, but I use quality extra virgin olive oil here instead to keep it light. You need to brush each of the phyllo layers with a little olive oil (see the video as well)
-Remember, Phyllo (fillo) sheets will tear, and thats perfectly fine. Just make sure you save a couple good sheets for the top of your spanakopita casserole.
Can you freeze a cooked spinach pie?
FAQ
How long can you keep cooked spanakopita?
How long can I keep uncooked spanakopita in fridge?
Can you eat spanakopita the next day?
Can you leave spinach pie out overnight?
How long can a pie be refrigerated?
These should be wrapped up and placed in the fridge as soon as they have cooled to room temperature. Fruit-filled pies, such as apple pie or berry pie, which do not contain eggs or dairy, can be kept at room temperature for up to two days, and then they can be refrigerated for two days.
Does freezing spinach removed a majority of the vitamins?
One technique to protect spinach’s nutrients and deactivate the oxalate thing is to bet on blanching. The technique consists of boiling water, throwing the vegetable in it for 30 seconds and then immediately sending it to an ice water bath. Using bags to freeze avoids burning the leaves, as it gets little air.
How long can fruit pies be kept in the fridge?
They can be kept in the fridge for up to four days if packaged properly. Fruit pies, such as apple or berry pies, can be kept at room temperature for up to two days, whereafter they need to be placed into the fridge, where they can be stored for another two days.
How long can apple pies stay in the fridge?
Apple and other fruit pies keep at room temperature for up to two days, then in the fridge for two more. Pumpkin, custard, or other egg/dairy-based pies can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. Pie dough can keep for two to three days in the fridge, or up to three months in the freezer.