Spinach and cheese puff pastry squares

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Total Time: 40-45 minutes
Yields: 12 squares
Skill Level: Easy
Author: [Your Website/Blog Name]

The Effortlessly Elegant Appetizer Everyone Needs

In the world of entertaining, few things are as reliably impressive and deceptively simple as a well-made puff pastry bite. These Spinach and Cheese Puff Pastry Squares are the golden standard of easy elegance. They rise from the oven as a stunning display of culinary alchemy: impossibly flaky, shatteringly crisp, and golden-brown pastry that gives way to a warmly savory, deeply comforting filling of creamy spinach and melted cheese.

This recipe is your secret weapon for looking like a kitchen pro with minimal effort. The magic lies in using store-bought all-butter puff pastry—a shortcut we fully endorse. It puffs into hundreds of delicate, buttery layers in the oven, creating a vessel that feels gourmet but is incredibly straightforward to assemble. The filling, a classic combination inspired by spanakopita, is a masterclass in balance. Nutty Parmesan, rich mozzarella, and tangy feta cheese mingle with sautéed spinach and aromatics, creating a flavor that is both sophisticated and universally loved. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, need a standout brunch item, or simply want to elevate your weeknight dinner, these squares are the answer.

Why This Recipe Works

The Power of Puff Pastry: Using high-quality, pre-made pastry is the ultimate time-saver, delivering a professional, multi-layered texture that would be labor-intensive to make from scratch.
Flavorful, Not Watery Filling: By taking the time to properly wilt and wring out the spinach, we eliminate excess moisture. This ensures the bottom of the pastry doesn’t become soggy and the filling is intensely flavorful and creamy, not wet.
A Trio of Cheeses for Complexity: Each cheese plays a role. Parmesan provides a salty, umami depth, mozzarella offers that iconic stretchy melt, and feta adds a tangy brightness that cuts through the richness.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the entire recipe hours in advance and keep it chilled until ready to bake, making it the perfect stress-free party appetizer.

Ingredients

For the Filling:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 a large yellow onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
10 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped (or one 10-oz bag)
4 ounces (1 cup) full-fat mozzarella cheese, shredded
3 ounces (about 3/4 cup) feta cheese, crumbled
2 ounces (about 1/2 cup) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1 large egg yolk (reserve the white for egg wash)
1 teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For Assembly:

1 sheet (about 8-9 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions*
1 egg white, lightly beaten (for egg wash)
Everything Bagel Seasoning or sesame seeds, for sprinkling (optional)

Pro Tip: Seek out an all-butter puff pastry (like Dufour or Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets) for the best possible flavor and flakiness. Ensure it is properly thawed but still cold to the touch for easy handling.

Equipment You’ll Need

Rolling Pin
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Large skillet or sauté pan
Mixing bowls
Clean kitchen towel or a few layers of paper towels
Pastry brush
Sharp knife or pizza cutter

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Spinach Filling

Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in large handfuls, stirring constantly. It will seem like a lot, but it will wilt down significantly. Continue cooking and stirring until all the spinach has wilted and turned dark green, about 3-4 minutes.
Remove Excess Moisture (CRUCIAL STEP): Transfer the entire contents of the skillet to a colander to drain. Once cool enough to handle, take the spinach and onion mixture and place it in the center of a clean kitchen towel. Gather the edges of the towel and twist it tightly over the sink, squeezing out as much liquid as humanly possible. This step is essential for preventing a soggy pastry.
Combine Filling Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, place the thoroughly drained and squeezed spinach mixture. Add the shredded mozzarella, crumbled feta, grated Parmesan, ricotta, egg yolk, dill, and nutmeg. Season with a pinch of salt (be mindful, as the feta and Parmesan are already salty) and a few cracks of black pepper. Mix everything together until well combined. Set aside while you prepare the pastry.

Step 2: Assemble the Squares

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll Out the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet into a rectangle approximately 10×12 inches. This evens out the seams and ensures an even thickness.
Add the Filling: Transfer the rolled-out pastry to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon the spinach and cheese mixture onto the center of the pastry and, using a spatula, spread it into an even layer, leaving a 1-inch border clear on all sides.
Create the Lattice (Optional but Impressive): Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, make diagonal cuts at 1-inch intervals from the filling edge to the outer edge of the border on the two longer sides. You will have a series of strips. To create a classic braided look, fold the top and bottom 1-inch borders over the filling first. Then, alternately fold the strips from the sides over the filling at a slight diagonal, overlapping each other. It will look like a beautiful braided pastry.
The Simple Fold Alternative: If you’re short on time, you can simply fold the 1-inch borders up and over the edge of the filling, pinching the corners to create a rustic, rectangular crust.

Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection

Apply Egg Wash: Brush the exposed pastry surface generously with the beaten egg white. This will give the baked pastry a beautiful, deep golden-brown shine.
Add Topping: Sprinkle the top with Everything Bagel Seasoning or sesame seeds for an extra layer of flavor and crunch, if desired.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and a deep, golden brown all over. The filling should be hot and bubbly.
Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and allow the pastry square to cool on the baking sheet for at least 10-15 minutes. This allows the cheesy filling to set slightly, making it much easier to slice without oozing.

Step 4: Slice and Serve

Using a sharp chef’s knife or a pizza cutter, slice the large square into 12 even portions.
Serve warm or at room temperature. These are best enjoyed the day they are made but can be reheated gently in a toaster oven or air fryer to re-crisp the pastry.

Serving Suggestions

As an Appetizer: The star of any party platter, served with a side of marinara sauce or tzatziki for dipping.
For Brunch: A sophisticated alternative to quiche, paired with a fresh green salad with a lemony vinaigrette.
As a Light Main: Serve two squares alongside a bowl of tomato soup for the ultimate comforting meal.

Customization Ideas

Add Protein: Stir in 1/2 cup of finely chopped cooked ham, crispy bacon, or shredded rotisserie chicken into the filling.
Herb Swap: Substitute the dill with an equal amount of fresh chopped parsley, chives, or basil.
Kick of Heat: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for a subtle spice.
Mushroom Medley: Sauté 8 ounces of finely chopped cremini mushrooms with the onions for an earthy, umami-rich version.

Nutrition Information (Approximate, per square)

Calories: 215 kcal
Total Carbohydrates: 13g
Dietary Fiber: 1g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 9g
Total Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 35mg
Sodium: 320mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and can vary significantly based on the specific brands of ingredients used, particularly the puff pastry and cheeses.