Effortless Spinach Rolls

Featured in: Snacks and Appetizers for Every Gathering

Puff pastry gets stuffed with tangy feta and spinach, plus a hint of garlic. A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a nice crunch and a touch of flavor. You can throw these together real quick with frozen spinach, or use fresh if that's what you have. Bake them for about 20 minutes until they're crisp and golden. They're a laid-back way to sneak in some greens—perfect for party trays or just because!

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Updated on Mon, 07 Jul 2025 18:30:41 GMT
Pastries lined up, sprinkled with black seeds. Pin it
Pastries lined up, sprinkled with black seeds. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Here’s my veggie spin on those classic sausage rolls. You get buttery, flaky pastry with loads of spinach and crumbled feta tucked inside. The salty cheese and leafy greens go perfectly together—and every bite is gone before you know it at any get-together!

When I brought these snacks to a block party the first time, I needed something I could whip up in advance. Everyone raved about them—they’re now my go-to for events, and my pals always want the instructions!

Irresistible Key Ingredients

  • Salt: Pulls out all the other flavors without being too much
  • Sesame seeds: Toss on top for that crunchy finish and nutty hint
  • Egg with milk: Paint over the top so everything bakes up golden brown
  • Vegetable oil: Good for frying garlic and won’t mess with the other tastes
  • Fresh garlic clove: Chopped up to bring that classic garlicky boost
  • Feta cheese: Crumbled up for a bit of salty tang against the spinach
  • Frozen chopped spinach: Easy, always the same flavor, works all year
  • Frozen puff pastry sheets: Let these thaw out—they make your crust super flaky and light

Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Cut and bake:
Chop each filled roll into six chunks with a sharp knife. Space out all the bits seam down on your pans so they bloom in the oven. Bake on the middle rack at 400°F for about 20 to 25 minutes till they’re sizzling and browned.
Assemble the rolls:
Spoon a sixth of the spinach mix in a rope along the pastry strip. Fold over one side, brush the other open edge with egg wash, then fold that over to seal. Dab more egg wash on top and scatter with sesame seeds for that pro look.
Prepare the pastry:
Heat your oven to 400°F and grease two trays. Sprinkle flour on your work top and open up a sheet of thawed pastry, slicing it lengthwise down the middle. Take one of those pieces and gently roll it wider—just enough to double-fold. Whisk egg and milk together in a different bowl for your egg wash.
Prepare the filling:
Pour oil in a pan on medium till it glistens. Toss in chopped garlic, cooking just till you catch a whiff—don’t let it burn or it’ll get bitter. Dump in dried, thawed spinach and stir for three to five minutes. You really want the water out, or your pastry gets mushy. Add salt as you like, then set aside in a bowl to cool off. Mix in your feta last so it’s speckled throughout.
A baking tray of flaky pastries topped with black seeds. Pin it
A baking tray of flaky pastries topped with black seeds. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Trust me, the magic really comes from the feta. I swapped it for ricotta once, and they weren’t quite the same. My crowd kept asking where the sharp bite went! Now, my daughter wants these instead of cake for her birthday every single year—how about that?

Easy Make-Ahead Option

You’re in luck: these can be set up in advance! Put together, cut, and cover the rolls, then pop them in the fridge for up to a day before you bake. Just brush with fresh egg wash and sprinkle on the seeds right before baking. If they're cold going into the oven, give them a couple more minutes.

Storage & Warm-Up

Once baked, scoop them into a container and keep them in the fridge up to 3 days. Pop them into a 350°F oven for 10 minutes when you're ready to snack—they crisp up again nicely. Skip the microwave, though—your crust will go soggy. To freeze, stash unbaked, unwashed rolls for two months tops. Bake straight from frozen with fresh egg wash, and just let them bake five to seven minutes longer.

Creative Twists

These are super flexible! Stir in caramelized onions for sweetness, toss in pine nuts for bite, or chop up dill or mint for some zip. Change up the cheese—soft goat for extra cream, or parmesan for salty depth. If you’re not worried about it being veggie, crunchy bacon bits are awesome mixed in.

Tasty Ways to Serve

They’re best warm, straight from the tray, but honestly delicious at room temp too—great for a potluck or park lunch. Try them with a tangy yogurt dip mixed with lemon and fresh herbs, or drop a few beside a big bowl of soup for a full meal. Lay them out for brunch or pass them around at your next party—they fill up hungry friends in style.

Baked pastries topped with something green on a tray. Pin it
Baked pastries topped with something green on a tray. | tastefullyrecipe.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Could I swap in fresh spinach if I don't want frozen?

Sure! Just chop up and cook down enough fresh spinach so it matches the amount you need, then mix it in.

→ How do I make sure my pastry doesn't get mushy?

Really squeeze out the water from your spinach mix first. Too much liquid messes up that crunchy pastry finish.

→ Is it okay to put these together ahead of time?

Yep, you can roll them up and chill unbaked in the fridge for a day. Bake right before you want to eat for the best taste.

→ Can these rolls go in the freezer?

Absolutely! Pop the unbaked rolls in the freezer for up to a month. Just bake them straight from the freezer, but allow a few extra minutes to get them hot and crispy.

→ Don't want feta—what else works?

No problem! Use ricotta, some goat cheese, or even cream cheese instead if you want to switch up the flavor.

Effortless Spinach Rolls

Flaky pastry wrapped around cheesy spinach, so good for gatherings or anytime you crave a savory bite.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Patricia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Veg Starter

Yield: 36 Servings (36 small rolls)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3 sheets puff pastry, thawed and ready to use
02 10 oz chopped spinach, frozen, thawed, and water squeezed out
03 1 tablespoon milk
04 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
05 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
06 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
07 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
08 Salt as needed
09 1 large egg, whisked

Instructions

Step 01

Warm some oil in a pan over medium heat. Toss in the garlic, letting it cook for a minute until you can smell the aroma. Stir in the spinach and cook for a few minutes to heat it up. Add salt and mix thoroughly. Scoop it into a bowl and mix it together with the feta.

Step 02

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and get two trays greased up for baking.

Step 03

Dust a surface lightly with flour and spread out one puff pastry sheet. Slice it in half the long way. Grab one half and roll it wider with a rolling pin so it can fold twice. Stir your egg and milk in a separate little bowl.

Step 04

Spoon about 1/6 of the spinach mixture down the middle of the rolled-out dough. Fold one side over the spinach filling, then use the egg mixture to coat the other edge. Roll it over again tightly to close it off.

Step 05

Coat the rolled pastry’s top with some egg mixture, then sprinkle sesame seeds on it. Slice the roll into six smaller sections. Repeat all steps for the other pastry pieces.

Step 06

Move the prepared rolls to the greased trays. Let them bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they puff up and turn a nice golden shade.

Notes

  1. If you prefer fresh spinach, blanch it lightly, chop it, and drain the extra water.

Tools You'll Need

  • Frying pan
  • Flour-dusted rolling pin
  • Oven trays
  • Small mixing bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (milk, feta)
  • Uses puff pastry (contains gluten)
  • Eggs included

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 133
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 10 g
  • Protein: 3 g