Spanakopita Spiral (Spinach and Feta Pie)
The iconic Greek spinach pie with a stunning twist!
This Spanakopita Spiral is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—a golden, buttery filo swirl filled with a vibrant mixture of spinach, feta, leeks, herbs, and just a touch of cream cheese for extra richness. Whether you’re serving it as an elegant appetizer, a light vegetarian lunch, or the centerpiece of your next mezze spread, this spiral pie is flaky, flavorful, and truly beautiful to serve.
Ingredients
Serves 4
- 450g (15.9 oz) baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 300g (10.5 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
- 100g (3.5 oz) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 leek, sliced
- 4 spring onions, sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 4 tbsp chopped parsley
- 3 tbsp chopped mint
- 1 egg
- 260g (9 oz) filo pastry (approx. 12 sheets)
- Melted butter, for brushing
- Nigella seeds and/or poppy seeds, for topping
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Filling
Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a deep pan. Add the sliced leeks and cook until soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add the chopped spinach and sauté until wilted. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and let it cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled feta, cream cheese, chopped herbs (parsley, mint, dill), spring onions, and egg. Fold in the cooled spinach mixture and stir until well combined.
2️⃣ Assemble the Spiral
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and brush a 25 cm (10-inch) pie pan or round baking dish with melted butter.
Lay one sheet of filo pastry on a clean surface with the long edge facing you. Brush it with melted butter. Place a second sheet on top and brush again. Spoon 4 heaping spoonfuls of filling along the long edge, leaving a 1-inch border. Roll the pastry into a long tube, enclosing the filling.
Start forming the spiral by placing the roll seam-side down into the center of the prepared pan. Continue the process, creating additional filled pastry rolls and wrapping each around the center spiral, working outward until the dish is filled.
3️⃣ Finish and Bake
Brush the top of the entire spiral generously with more melted butter. Sprinkle with nigella and/or poppy seeds for that classic spanakopita look.
Bake in the preheated oven for 45–60 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before slicing into wedges or triangles.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a crisp Greek salad or lemony cucumber yogurt dip.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature—perfect for picnics and potlucks!
- Leftovers? Reheat in the oven to restore crispiness.
⏱️ Quick Recipe Recap
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45–60 minutes
- Total Time: Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes
- Serves: 4 (as a light meal or 6–8 as an appetizer)
Golden, flaky, and packed with herby goodness, this Spanakopita Spiral is a Mediterranean delight that’s as fun to make as it is to eat!
Enjoy, and don’t forget to drizzle with love!
