Ingredients
Method
- Preheat: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Sauté: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and spinach. Sauté until wilted (about 2-3 mins). Remove and squeeze dry in a kitchen towel.
- Mix Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the dried spinach, feta, cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, dill, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Fill: Place the frozen phyllo shells on the baking sheet. Use a teaspoon to fill each cup with the spinach-feta mixture.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the shells are golden brown and the filling is hot.
- Serve: Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- The "Squeeze" Rule: The most important step for a crispy result is ensuring the spinach is bone-dry. After sautéing or thawing, use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out every drop of moisture.
- Don't Thaw Shells: Keep the mini phyllo shells in the freezer until the moment you are ready to fill them. Baking them from frozen helps maintain their structural integrity and "shatter-crisp" texture.
- Filling Hack: For a cleaner look and faster prep, use a piping bag (or a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off) to pipe the filling into the cups rather than using a spoon.
- Reheating: If you have leftovers, avoid the microwave as it will turn the pastry rubbery. Re-crisp them in the oven at 350°F for 4–5 minutes.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can mix the filling up to 48 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, then fill and bake just before your guests arrive.
