This spinach and feta filo pie is a taste of the Mediterranean – crunchy, flavourful, salty and utterly delicious.
I’ve loved spinach and feta filo pie (or Spanakopita as the Greek call it) ever since I first tried it. There’s something about the heady mixture of salty feta, fragrant nutmeg and crispy, light filo pastry which really appeals to me. It has all of the elements of a comforting pie, but feels light and guilt free (although, of course, there’s far too much butter and cheese involved for it to be really guilt free).
My love for this pie was hightened on our honeymoon in Kos, where I ate it for almost every meal (yes, that’s right, our hotel served it for breakfast! Yes, it was heaven), and cooking this meal now always takes me back to that beautiful, golden island under the beautiful, golden sun. Sigh!
Although we’re eating this as a main by itself, it would work perfectly well as part of a Greek mezze, perhaps as a side to this One Pan Mediterranean Roast Chicken and Vegetables with Garlic Yoghurt and Savoury Olive and Halloumi Loaf Cake on the side.
This will take you up to an hour to make, and will serve 4 as a main, 6 as a side.
Ingredients, Substitutions and Variations
- Olive oil – you could use vegetable oil, but olive oil is traditional.
- Onion– one medium brown onion is perfect.
- Spinach – ordinary spinach is absolutely fine for this recipe. It’s best to use fresh rather than frozen.
- Nutmeg – nutmeg lifts this whole dish and is vital for the flavour!
- Feta – it goes without saying that we need feta cheese in this dish.
- Egg – to bind the filling ingredients. It’s optional – you can leave it out if you like, but the filling will be looser.
- Filo pastry – you can make your own filo pastry, but absolutely no shame if you buy it, I always do!
- Butter – you can also switch for 10ml olive oil.
Top Tips
- Get rid of the moisture Spinach releases a lot of water, and it’s important to get rid of that liquid before you compile your pie, otherwise the base will go soggy.
- Don’t skimp on the butter Brushing the pastry with butter (or oil) is what makes the individual layers crunchy and crisp. Don’t skimp, and don’t rush!
- Keep an eye out Filo pastry can catch quickly in the oven. If the top starts getting very golden before the rest is cooked, cover with foil for the rest of the cooking time.
Spinach and Feta Filo Pie
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion
- 200 grams spinach
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 400 grams feta
- 1 egg
- 6 sheets filo pastry
- 10 grams butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
- Roughly chop your onion and add to a frying pan with the olive oil. Saute over a high heat for 1-2 minutes, then gradually add the spinach until it is all wilted. Stir in the nutmeg, and season with black pepper. Allow to cool, then squeeze out all of the excess liquid.
- Roughly chop the feta and put in a large bowl. Add the spinach mix and crack in the egg, then stir to combine well.
- Take a large oven proof dish and brush with a little of the melted butter. Lay one of the sheets of filo pastry over the dish and brush with more butter. Repeat until the dish is completely covered with filo, and you have used 4 sheets.
- Pile in the feta mix. Spread out evenly, then top with the remaining two sheets of filo pastry. Brush with more butter, then fold the overhanging pieces of filo pastry from the bottom layers over the top, so that it is wrapped like a parcel. Brush with more butter, then bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy!
More delicious Greek recipes:
- Greek Style Flatbread Pizzas
- Greek Style Crispy Chicken Pittas
- Greek Sharer with Courgette Fritters
- Greek Style Roast Chicken and Vegetables
- Greek Salad with Baked Feta and Tzatziki
- Vegetable Moussaka
- Feta, Olive and Chilli Filo Parcels
- Chicken Thigh Kebabs
- Penne Pastitsio
- Simple Prawn Saganaki
- Delicious Feta and Dill Pie
That looks simple enough for me to pull off! and I love anything involving cheese.
Spanakopita is one of my favorites and Greece is #1 on my travel bucket list. Can’t wait to try your recipe!
This looks delicious! Now you need to try making your own filo … just sayin’ … 😉
You’re completely right! Think that’s a weekend job 🙂
This looks amazing. Spinach and feta cheese is such a great combo x
This looks remarkably easy to cook. When it comes to baking, I’m positively dangerous in the kitchen. But, I think I will give this a try. It may not end up looking pretty but, it will surely be very tasty.
Barely stopping myself to cook it right now! Thank you for your recipe!
Barely stopping myself to cook it right now! Thank you for your recipe!
Honeymoon pie… how apt on Valentines Day!! 😉
Oh my this sounds sooooo good. I could eat this for any meal of the day! 🙂
This flavor combination is a favorite…and why not for breakfast? I love savory flavor like this for breakfast.
Oh, me too! 🙂
This looks delicious!
This looks delicious and beautifully made! This dish is super similar to Bulgarian Banitsa (I’m from there and Banitsa uses eggs and walnuts instead of spinach) . Since you enjoyed this dish I think you’d really enjoy this variation as well 🙂
Thank you! Banitsa sounds delicious – I will definitely try it out!
I can eat this three times a day. S.c.r.u.m.p.t.i.o.u.s. <3
An hour well spent, I say! This looks great. I love, love, love spanikopita, but I’ve never had the guts to try and make it at home. Your recipe makes it look so easy though, so I’ll have to give it a go! Thanks!
Thanks Amanda, I hope you enjoy it!
Loving the idea of a family sized filo pie!
Spanakopita is the most delicious thing in the world. That looks delicious. I am going to make me one of those!
Looks delicious… as do all of your recipes! Thanks for the follow, by the way. (I’ve followed you back) 😉
Thanks Johanna!
I need to try this one. I’ve always wanted to cook with filo dough, but to be honest, was always afraid I’d mess it up.
It’s so easy – give it a go!
I took a trip to Greece (Athens and the island Naxos) four years ago. I went with fruit, yogurt and honey every day for breakfast, but I’m right with you on devouring this at every other meal. I’ll have to try this out sometime!
This looks delicious and a Greek mezze sounds divine, may have a go at making this.
I’ve always wanted… but never had the courage to attempt Spanakopita… must try soon! This looks amazing.
You should give it a go, it’s so easy 🙂
I think it might be on the cards to do this weekend!
It looks superb and so appetizing 🙂
This sounds ridiculously amazing, and actually, not that difficult. Would never have thought I could attempt something like this at home, but will now have to give it a try. Thanks for the awesome idea!
I love filo and love to work with it. This is a wonderful!!.
Thank you! 🙂
Yum! I used to make this all the time, but I haven’t done so in awhile. Your post inspired me to do it again. Thanks!
I’m glad my post has helped remind you about it 🙂
Wow! looks so delicious and beautiful!!
Thanks Lety!
I love Spanakopita / Byrek, when I was in Greece anc Albania I had a lot of it, it’s delicious.
Your spanakopita looks so temptive ???
Best wishes,
Alice
Thanks Alice, it’s delicious isn’t it!
Oh my goodness, I have to make this very soon… Thanks for this tasty looking post.. hugs
Take care and happy blogging to ya, from Laura ~
Thanks Laura! Hope you like it x
Harriet, is it alright if I pin the dish ?
Of course it is! Go ahead 🙂
Oh Harriet, thanking you kindly as I am going to be making this dish all the time now… I just adore spinach and filo… oh my I just am drooling over the picture… Thanks again.. hugs
Looks delightful! 😛
Love the flavours in this Greek pie, very healthy too with all that spinach:-) Thanks for linking to my Focaccia:-)
Thanks Camilla 🙂
Looks lovely 🙂
Thanks Jenn!
This looks so delicious. Definitely on my list of recipes to try!
Looks divine!!
Thanks Pamela!