Air-Fried Spanakopita: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

how to cook spanakopita in air fryer

Spanakopita is a classic Greek dish that combines spinach, feta, and phyllo pastry. It can be made in an air fryer as a quick, easy, and healthy meal. The air fryer is a convenient way to cook spanakopita from frozen, with no need to defrost, making it a perfect option for a last-minute dinner. This method also produces a deliciously crispy pastry.

Characteristics Values
Type of Dish Appetizer, Dinner
Ingredients Phyllo/Filo Dough, Spinach, Feta, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Garlic, Butter, Oregano, Nutmeg, Dill, Salt, Mint, Spring Onions, Fresh Dill, Parsley, Egg, Cream Cheese, Scallions, Onion
Preparation Time 2 hours (including dough thawing time)
Cooking Time 5-15 minutes
Cooking Temperature 350°F / 180°C
Calories 202kcal
Carbohydrates 22g
Protein 7g
Fat 10g
Saturated Fat 5g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 71mg
Sodium 302mg
Fiber 3g
Sugar 12g

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How to make the filling for spanakopita

Spanakopita is a Greek spinach pie made of crispy layers of phyllo dough and a comforting filling of spinach and feta cheese. The key filling ingredients in a classic spanakopita recipe are spinach, feta cheese, fresh parsley, dill weed, onions, garlic, eggs, olive oil, salt and pepper.

To make the filling, start by cooking the spinach until wilted. If you are using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it and squeeze out any excess water. If you are using fresh spinach, you will need to cook it with the onions and garlic, drain, and let it cool completely before mixing the filling. You can use a potato ricer to press the liquid out, or you can use your hands or a thin kitchen towel to gather the spinach and wring out the liquid.

Once you have cooked and drained the spinach, add it to a mixing bowl along with the remaining filling ingredients. Stir until everything is well combined. You can now use this filling to make your spanakopita rolls or pie.

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How to assemble spanakopita rolls

To assemble Spanakopita rolls, start by placing a sheet of phyllo dough on your work surface. Phyllo dough, also known as filo dough or pastry, is a wheat-based product and the star ingredient of Spanakopita. It is important to keep the phyllo moist as it dries out quickly. Be sure to keep unused sheets covered with a damp kitchen towel as you work.

Next, brush the phyllo sheet generously with a butter and oil mixture. You can use a silicone brush or a spray bottle filled with hot butter kept warm in a pot of water. Then, lay your spinach filling in a straight line along the edge of the phyllo sheet. The spinach filling is a mix of spinach, eggs, feta cheese, green onion, dill, minced garlic, and salt and pepper. It is important to drain the spinach well to prevent a soggy pie.

Once the filling is in place, carefully roll up the phyllo and spinach into a log. Then, spiral the log into your baking pan. Brush the top of the spanakopita spiral with more of the butter and oil mixture. You can also sprinkle sesame seeds on top for an extra crunch.

Finally, bake the Spanakopita at 350-375°F (190°C) for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the phyllo crust is golden brown. Let the Spanakopita cool for a few minutes before slicing to make it easier to cut through the layers and keep the filling intact.

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How to cook frozen spanakopita in an air fryer

Air-fried frozen spanakopita is a delicious, mouthwatering appetizer with a crispy, flaky pastry on the outside and a creamy, spinach feta filling on the inside. It is super easy to make and can be cooked straight from frozen in your air fryer.

Step 1:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no need to add extra oil as the phyllo dough in frozen spanakopitas typically contains oil.

Step 2:

Once preheated, place the frozen spanakopitas into the air fryer basket in one even layer. Make sure that the pieces don't touch, as this will help with even crisping. You can also spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray before placing the spanakopitas in the basket.

Step 3:

Air fry the frozen spanakopitas at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-11 minutes until fully cooked. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size and brand of frozen spanakopita, as well as your air fryer. The spanakopitas are ready when the phyllo dough has noticeably increased in size and is golden brown.

Step 4:

Gently flip the spanakopitas halfway through the total cooking time. Be gentle when flipping as the outer dough can be very brittle.

Step 5:

Once the spanakopitas are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them sit for two minutes before serving. Be careful, as the inside will be hot!

Tips:

  • If you are thawing the spanakopitas before cooking, reduce the cooking time to 5 minutes, as 10 minutes may cause the pastry to burn.
  • Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place the spanakopitas in the preheated air fryer for a few minutes until crispy again. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

cycookery

How to cook spanakopita from scratch in an air fryer

Spanakopita is a classic Greek appetizer or meal with a creamy spinach filling and a crispy, flaky phyllo pastry exterior. It can be made in an air fryer with minimal prep and cooking time. Here is a step-by-step guide to making spanakopita from scratch in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

  • Phyllo pastry
  • Spinach (frozen, chopped)
  • Feta cheese
  • Cream cheese
  • Ricotta cheese
  • Spring onions/green onion
  • Fresh dill, parsley, and mint
  • Oregano
  • Lemon zest
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Butter
  • Vegetable cooking spray or oil

Method:

  • Chop the spinach and sprinkle with salt. Leave it to rest while you prepare the herbs.
  • Finely chop the spring onions, dill, parsley, and mint.
  • Place the spinach in a clean cloth and wring out the excess moisture.
  • In a bowl, combine the spinach, herbs, feta cheese, and oregano.
  • Cut the phyllo pastry stack crosswise into two or three square strips.
  • Brush the phyllo pastry with melted butter and sprinkle with seasoning.
  • Add two tablespoons of filling about an inch from the edge of the phyllo pastry.
  • Fold the sides of the pastry over the filling, brushing with more butter as you go, and roll into a parcel.
  • Repeat until you have used all the filling and pastry. You should have enough for 8-9 rolls.
  • Preheat your air fryer to 350°F/180°C for 3 minutes.
  • Place the rolls on a rack or directly in the air fryer basket, misting them with oil or cooking spray first.
  • Cook 4 rolls at a time for 7 minutes. Then, flip them over and cook for another 7 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
  • Remove the rolls from the air fryer and let them rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Spanakopita is best served fresh and warm, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, mist with oil and air fry for 5 minutes at 350°F/180°C.

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How to reheat spanakopita in an air fryer

Reheating spanakopita in an air fryer is a simple process. Firstly, it is important to note that you can reheat both frozen and refrigerated spanakopita in an air fryer.

If you are reheating frozen spanakopita, place the frozen pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring that the pieces do not touch each other to facilitate even crisping. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 8-11 minutes, flipping the spanakopita halfway through. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and brand of the spanakopita, as well as the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on it to prevent burning.

For refrigerated spanakopita, mist the pieces with a little oil and place them in the air fryer basket. Reheat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or until they are crispy again.

Spanakopita is best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer, as the filling can make the crispy outer dough softer over time. Therefore, it is recommended to reheat only the amount you intend to consume.

Frequently asked questions

It takes 8-11 minutes to cook frozen spanakopita in an air fryer. Spanakopita rolls take 14-15 minutes to cook.

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F / 180°C. Then, cook the spanakopita at the same temperature.

Chop spinach and sprinkle with salt, then leave to rest. Finely chop spring onions, fresh dill, parsley, and mint, and add to a mixing bowl. Squeeze the moisture out of the spinach and add to the bowl with the herbs. Stir in feta cheese, egg, and oregano. Cut the phyllo pastry into squares and brush with melted butter. Add two tablespoons of filling about an inch from the edge of the pastry. Fold the sides of the dough over the filling, brush with butter, and roll into a parcel.

Place the frozen spanakopita directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer. You do not need to defrost it first. Spray the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray. Air fry at 350°F for 8-11 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Reheat the spanakopita in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 350°F / 180°C. Be careful not to burn them.

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