Air-Fryer Spanakopita: A Healthy, Crispy Treat?

Spanakopita is a popular Greek dish that combines spinach, feta, and phyllo pastry. It can be made in an air fryer, yielding a crispy, flaky, and mouthwatering appetizer. The air fryer method is highly convenient, requiring minimal prep and cooking time. Frozen spanakopita can be cooked directly from frozen, without the need for defrosting, and the exact cooking time can be adjusted based on the desired level of crispiness. This cooking method is a fast and easy way to enjoy the classic Greek dish, making it a perfect option for busy weeknights or last-minute entertaining.

Air fryer frozen spanakopita

How to Cook Frozen Spanakopita in an Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 375°F, according to one source). Place the frozen spanakopitas directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces don't touch so that they crisp evenly. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray, if desired.

Air fry the spanakopitas for 8-11 minutes until they are golden brown and the phyllo dough has increased in size. Flip the spanakopitas halfway through the cooking time, as the outer dough can be brittle.

Once cooked, remove the spanakopitas from the air fryer and let them sit for two minutes before serving. They are best enjoyed fresh, as the filling can make the pastry soft as they cool.

Storing Leftovers

Leftover spanakopita can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer to restore some crispiness, but be careful not to burn them.

Air fryer spanakopita rolls

Ingredients

• Phyllo (filo) pastry
• Spinach
• Feta
• Mozzarella
• Parmesan
• Garlic
• Fresh dill, parsley and mint
• Dried oregano
• Melted butter or ghee (clarified butter) or light olive oil
• Bagel seasoning or sesame seeds

Method

• Chop the spinach and sprinkle with salt, tossing to combine. The salt will draw out the moisture in the spinach leaves, so leave it to rest as you prepare the herbs.
• Finely chop the spring onions, fresh dill, parsley and mint and add to a mixing bowl. Place the spinach in a clean cloth and wring out the moisture, then add to the bowl with the herbs.
• Stir together the spinach, feta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and garlic in a bowl to make the filling.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange 1 sheet of phyllo on a clean work surface and brush lightly with some of the melted butter. Top with 2 more phyllo sheets and more butter. Cover the remaining phyllo with a damp towel while you work.
• Cut the phyllo stack lengthwise into 3 (3-inch-wide) strips.
• Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling at the bottom of each strip. Take the bottom right corner and fold the dough over the filling to make a triangle. Fold the bottom left corner up to make another triangle. Continue folding until all the dough is folded.
• Brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with seasoning or sesame seeds, if using.
• Preheat the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F / 180°C.
• Place the rolls on a rack or directly in the air fryer basket, misting them with oil first.
• Air fry a maximum of four rolls per batch to avoid crowding them.
• Air fry for seven minutes, gently flip the rolls over and continue to cook for another 7 minutes or until the rolls are golden and crisp.
• Cool on a wire rack while you cook the second batch.
• Do not cover or stack the rolls as the steam will cause the pastry to lose its crispness.
• Serve as a starter or appetizer as soon as they have cooled down enough to handle.

Air fryer spanakopita phyllo cups

Spanakopita is a classic Greek appetizer that can be easily made in an air fryer. The air fryer's rapid air circulation technology ensures even cooking and a golden-brown finish, making it an ideal method for preparing this classic Mediterranean favourite. Air fryer spanakopita phyllo cups are a great and easy appetizer, made in minutes. They are bite-sized delights that offer a crispy exterior filled with a savoury spinach and feta filling.

To make the filling, stir together spinach, feta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and garlic in a bowl. You can also add onions, dill, parsley, mint, and oregano to enhance the flavour profile. The spinach should be chopped finely for even distribution throughout the phyllo cups. For an extra layer of flavour, you can add minced garlic and a pinch of nutmeg.

To prepare the phyllo cups, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place one sheet of phyllo on a clean work surface and brush lightly with melted butter. Top with two more phyllo sheets, brushing each layer with butter. Cut the phyllo stack into strips and spoon the filling at the bottom of each strip. Fold the dough over the filling to make triangles, continuing to fold until all the dough is used. Arrange the phyllo cups on the prepared baking sheet and brush with butter.

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place the phyllo cups in the air fryer basket, working in batches to avoid crowding. Cook for 7-11 minutes, turning halfway through, until the phyllo cups are golden brown. Serve fresh out of the air fryer for the crispiest texture.

Air fryer spanakopita cooking time

Spanakopita is a classic Greek appetizer with spinach, feta, and filo pastry. It can be made in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the size and brand of the spanakopita, as well as the air fryer model.

Cooking frozen spanakopita

Frozen spanakopita can be cooked directly from frozen. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F / 180°C. Place the frozen spanakopitas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces do not touch. Air fry for 8-11 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown. Flip the spanakopitas gently halfway through the cooking time, as the outer dough can be brittle.

Cooking spanakopita rolls

To make spanakopita rolls, fill the filo pastry with the spinach and feta mixture, then roll into parcels. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F / 180°C and mist the rolls with oil. Cook for 7 minutes, flip, and cook for another 7 minutes, or until golden.

Reheating spanakopita

Spanakopita is best enjoyed fresh, as the filling can make the pastry soft. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, place in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy.

Air fryer spanakopita temperature

Air fryer spanakopita is a quick and easy dish to make. The air fryer temperature depends on the type of spanakopita you are cooking. For frozen, pre-made spanakopita, the air fryer should be set to around 350°F (176°C). For homemade spanakopita, the air fryer temperature should be set to 375°F (190°C).

Frozen spanakopita can be cooked straight from frozen, with no need to defrost. Simply place the frozen spanakopita into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching. Set the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and cook for 8-11 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and brand of spanakopita, as well as the size and power of your air fryer.

If you are making spanakopita from scratch, the process is a little more time-consuming. The filling is typically a mixture of spinach, feta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and garlic. This is wrapped in phyllo dough, which is brushed with butter. To cook in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the spanakopita in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden brown.

Air fryer spanakopita is a crispy and delicious dish that can be served as an appetizer or snack. It is best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer, as the filling can make the outer dough soft if left to sit for too long. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and reheated in the air fryer to regain some crispiness.

Frequently asked questions