Spinach Puff Pastry Cups

Spinach Puff Pastry appetizers with a savory spinach, cheese and chicken filling and golden brown flaky puff pastry are incredible for all your holiday events.

This post has been sponsored by Wewalka, however, as always, all opinions are my own. #ad #wewalka #bakeitbetter

This recipe is a marriage of tender flaky puff pastry and my favorite recipe for Cheesy Spinach Dip. While I love the original recipe, this one is so much quicker to make – no waiting for dough to thaw! It’s a little more sophisticated, too, I think.

I’ve modified the recipe a little so that the spinach filling puffs when it bakes, making it a perfect match for the buttery puff pastry.

This irresistible spinach filling is made with savory onions and garlic, cream cheese and sour cream, along with cheddar, Parmesan and feta cheeses.

Spinach Puff Pastry Appetizers

Last Christmas my brother-in-law declared that there was no way he would ever eat spinach – EVER. I totally get it, spinach may be healthy, but I can’t stand it unless it is smothered in this creamy, cheesy mixture.

I whipped up a batch of these as a pre-Thanksgiving appetizer (we eat late) and brought them to my mother-in-law’s house. That afternoon, I found my brother-in-law snacking on the last of a spinach puff pastry cup while reaching for a second one! These savory little appetizers are so good that he didn’t realize they had spinach in them.

What is the different between phyllo and puff pastry?

While both phyllo and puff pastry becomes flaky when baked, they are not the same kind of dough. Puff pastry is a combination of flour and fat whereas phyllo dough is mostly flour and water.

My favorite brand of puff pastry dough – hands down – is Wewalka Puff Pastry, which you can find in the refrigerator section of your local grocery store.

Phyllo dries out easily and can be difficult to work with, however, Wewalka refrigerated puff pastry is a cinch.

How long does puff pastry last?

Uncooked puff pastry dough will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Wewalka recommends that you do not freeze their products before or after baking.

Spinach Puff Pastry Shopping List

Here is what you will need for this recipe:

• Wewalka Puff Pastry
• cream cheese softened
• cup sour cream
• frozen baby spinach, thawed
• eggs
• feta cheese, crumbled
• shredded cheddar cheese
• garlic, minced
• sweet onion, finely diced
• boneless skinless chicken
• salt and pepper to taste
• pinch red pepper flake

Tips for Thawing and Draining Frozen Spinach

1. Line a mesh strainer with a cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel.
2. Remove the frozen spinach from the freezer and place it into a mesh strainer.
3. Run warm water over the frozen spinach.
4. Use your fingers to break apart any frozen chunks.
5. Turn off the water.
6. Gather up the cheesecloth or kitchen towel and twist to squeeze the water out of the spinach.

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How to Make Spinach Puff Pastry

1. Preheat the oven to 400-degrees F and grease a 12-cup muffin pan with butter or cooking spray and set aside.
2. Combine the cream cheese and sour cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. 
3. Beat the mixture until creamy, then add 1 egg (reserve 1 egg for later) and beat.
4. In a skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter and cook the onion for 2-3 minutes on medium heat until they begin to soften.  Next, add the chicken and brown until cooked through.
5. Add the garlic and cook 1-2 minutes more.
6. Remove the chicken and shred it.
7. Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and fold the chicken and onion mixture into the cream cheese mixture. Next, add in the feta and cheddar cheeses. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
8. After that, drain the baby spinach well and add it to the bowl.
9. Using a spoonula (see my favorite below), fold all the ingredients together until combined.
10. Remove the puff pastry from the refrigerator – it does not need to be thawed and should be kept cold. Unroll the puff pastry and cut into nine even squares. Repeat with the second roll of puff pastry so you have 18 pieces of dough.
11. Place the puff pastry squares to the muffin pan, pressing the center down and allowing the corners to hang over a little.
12. Use a muffin scoop (see my favorite below) or tablespoon to evenly fill the dough cups with the spinach mixture.
13. Fold the four points onto the top of the filling and lightly press.
14. Beat the remaining egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush each of the spinach puff pastry cups with the egg wash.
15. Bake for 20-25 minutes until they are puffy and golden brown.
16. Allow the cups to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before running a knife around the outside edge to loosen the puff pastry from the pan.

For a list of some of my favorite items to use when cooking and why I chose them, please visit my Kitchen Resource page.

Time Saving Shortcuts

Use leftover or rotisserie chicken, or a can of white premium chunk chicken breast (well-drained).

How to Make this Recipe Ahead of Time:

The best way to save time making this recipe is by preparing the filling a day or two ahead of time. On party day, you can cut the puff pastry, fill the cups and bake them. This ensures the best flavor and texture for this appetizer.

Tips for Using Wewalka Dough

Wewalka Dough comes rolled with parchment paper which makes it super simple to handle. Here are some tips for working with puff pastry dough.

• Keep the dough cool. Don’t let the dough sit on the countertop for too long; handling it is much easier right out of the refrigerator.
• Use the parchment paper. Unroll and keep the dough on the parchment paper while cutting the squares. You do not need flour.
• Got 10 extra minutes? For extra puffy, flaky cups, pop the trays of spinach cups into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before baking. This step is optional, so don’t stress if you’re in a rush.

Spinach Puff Pastry Recipe Variations

There are so many ways to make these puff pastry spinach cups your own. Here are a couple of ideas:

• Reduce the spinach to 1-1/2 cups and add a 14-ounce can of quartered artichoke hearts (be sure to drain the liquid first).
• Instead of feta cheese, you can use mozzarella which has a more mild flavor.
• For a lower calorie option, substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.

How do you reheat puff pastry?

I strongly recommend enjoying these the same day they are made, however, if you have leftovers, you can keep the pastry flaky and crisp by reheating these spinach cups in the oven. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 225-degree F oven until warmed through.

Learn more about Wewalka

Wewalka uses premium quality ingredients. You can learn more about the brand and their products here:

• Nutrition Facts & Ingredients
• Baking Tips
• Store Locator

More Appetizer Ideas

• For a simple appetizer, this Roasted Shrimp with Creamy Citrus Aioli recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and easy to prep ahead of time.
• Crostini is one of my favorite appetizers because it is so versatile. This Olive Tapenade Crostini never disappoints.

Spinach Puff Pastry Recipe

Make-ahead chicken, spinach and cheese stuffed puff pastry make the best appetizers!

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More Recipes with Wewalka Dough

• Holiday Pesto Trees
• Puff Pastry Chicken Pockets
• Cranberry Sausage Palmers
• Homemade Beef Pot Pie
• Ham and Cheese Croissants