Easy Spinach and Cream Cheese Phyllo Triangles (Make-Ahead Appetiser)

Délices d’Épinards

These elegant little triangles are a timeless favourite – crisp layers of buttery phyllo wrapped around a creamy spinach and cheese filling. They’re delightfully light yet satisfying, perfect for serving with drinks or as part of a festive buffet. Even better, they can be prepared ahead, frozen, and baked straight from the freezer – making them a true entertainer’s secret weapon.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for an easy make-ahead snack, Délices d’Épinards deliver sophistication with very little fuss.

💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Effortless elegance: Golden, flaky pastry with a rich spinach-cream cheese filling – always a crowd-pleaser.
• Make-ahead friendly: Prepare and freeze before guests arrive; bake straight from frozen for perfect crispness.
• Simple ingredients: No hard-to-find components – just spinach, cheese, eggs, and phyllo.
• Versatile: Works beautifully as a starter, cocktail snack, or even a light vegetarian lunch.
• Endlessly adaptable: Add herbs, feta, chilli or nutmeg for your own signature touch.

Délices d’Épinards (Spinach Triangles)

95kcal

4.6 from 11 votes

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Prep 40 minutes mins

Cook 15 minutes mins

These elegant spinach and cream cheese phyllo triangles are light, buttery, and perfect for entertaining. Easy to prepare ahead and bake straight from frozen, they’re a timeless appetizer that never fails to impress.

Servings 45 triangles

Course Appetizer

Cuisine French

Ingredients

1x2x3x? servings

• ▢ 375 g firm cream cheese
• ▢ 2 small eggs
• ▢ salt and pepper to taste
• ▢ 3 bunches fresh spinach or 350 g frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
• ▢ 15 sheets phyllo pastry 375 g pack~18–20 sheets
• ▢ melted butter for brushing

Method

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1. Cook the spinach: Cook until wilted, then drain thoroughly and squeeze out all excess water before chopping finely. We steam our spinach in a colander over boiling water. You could also place it in a large pan, over medium heat (with no oil nor water) until it wilts and changes colour.

   – or if using Frozen spinach: Thaw completely, then press out all moisture using a sieve or a clean kitchen towel.
2. Prepare the filling: Beat the cream cheese with the eggs until smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper.
3. Stir the chopped spinach into the cream cheese mixture.
4. Prepare the pastry: Melt butter and brush the phyllo pastry sheets lightly with it. Slice the pastry into 3 or 4 long strips.
5. Assemble the triangles: Place a teaspoon of the spinach and cream cheese mixture on one end of each pastry strip. Fold over diagonally to form a triangle, continuing to fold in this shape until the strip is used up.
6. Optional – Freeze: Arrange triangles on a baking tray, brush the tops with melted butter, and freeze until firm. Once frozen, pack them into containers for later use.
7. Bake: Place triangles (buttered side up) on a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Tip: Best baked straight from frozen for maximum crispness.

Nutrition

Serving25gCalories95kcalCarbohydrates4.2gProtein2.6gFat7.5gSaturated Fat4.5gCholesterol23mgSodium120mgFiber0.5gSugar0.4gVitamin A1230IUVitamin C4mgCalcium35mgIron0.5mg

Notes

Air Fryer Instructions for Délices d’Épinards

1. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 3–5 minutes.
2. Arrange the triangles in a single layer in the basket. Don’t overcrowd — work in batches if needed.
3. Brush lightly with melted butter (optional but helps with browning).
4. Cook for 8–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
5. Check carefully: Air fryers vary, so start checking at 8 minutes. The triangles should be puffed and lightly browned.

Tip: If baking from frozen, add 2–3 extra minutes, and check halfway through to avoid burning.

🌿 Flavour Variations

• Feta & Spinach: Replace one-third of the cream cheese with crumbled feta.
• Add Chilli:  Remove seeds, and finely chop 3 jalapeño chillies, Fry in butter and add to the cream cheese mix.
• Herbed Cream Cheese: Add chopped dill, parsley, or chives for freshness.
• Nutmeg or Lemon Zest: A pinch of nutmeg or zest brightens the flavour.
• Mini Party Bites: Cut each sheet into 4 strips for 60 smaller triangles.

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🧈 Cook’s Note — About Phyllo Pastry

Phyllo pastry packs vary by brand and country:

• A 375 g pack usually contains 18–20 sheets.
• A 500 g pack has 20–24 sheets.

You’ll need 15 sheets total for this recipe — about ¾ of a 375 g pack or ⅔ of a 500 g pack.
Keep unused sheets tightly wrapped in plastic and return to the freezer, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

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🍷 Serving Suggestions & Wine Pairing

Serve these triangles warm from the oven, arranged on a platter with lemon wedges or a light dipping sauce such as garlic yoghurt or herbed sour cream.

They pair beautifully with crisp, dry white wines such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, or a lightly chilled Chablis. For a festive touch, try a glass of Prosecco or Champagne – the bubbles cut through the creamy filling and buttery pastry perfectly.

If you’re serving them as part of a mezze-style spread, complement them with marinated olives, roasted red peppers, or a simple green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!