Description
Homemade spinach cream cheese puffs offer a delightful blend of creamy and crisp textures. French pastry techniques create elegant appetizers perfect for gatherings or sophisticated snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 8 oz (226 g) softened cream cheese
- 7 oz (198 g) chopped baby spinach
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 beaten egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Oven and Surface: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper for smooth release.
- Sauté Spinach Base: In a skillet, warm olive oil and sauté garlic until aromatic, then add spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper, then cool completely.
- Pastry Preparation: On a floured surface, unfold puff pastry and slice into 3-inch squares using a sharp knife.
- Filling Creation: Blend cooled spinach with cream cheese, mozzarella, and egg in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Pastry Assembly: Distribute spinach-cheese mixture centrally on each pastry square, then fold corners inward, sealing edges to prevent leakage.
- Finishing Touch: Brush pastry surfaces with egg yolk for a glossy, golden appearance.
- Baking Process: Position filled pastries on prepared tray, ensuring spacing between puffs, and bake for 20-30 minutes until puffy and golden-brown.
- Serving: Allow puffs to rest 5-7 minutes before serving, providing time for structural stabilization and optimal enjoyment.
Notes
- Chill Spinach Thoroughly: Drain excess moisture completely to prevent soggy pastry and ensure crisp, flaky texture.
- Cheese Temperature Matters: Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth, lump-free filling that blends seamlessly.
- Seal Edges Carefully: Pinch pastry corners tightly to prevent filling from leaking during baking, maintaining perfect pocket shape.
- Golden Brown Secret: Egg wash creates that professional bakery-style shine and enhances overall appetizing appearance of spinach puffs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking, Frying, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 206
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg