Description
Delicious spinach and ricotta rolls made with a creamy cheese filling wrapped in flaky puff pastry. These savory bites are perfect as appetizers or snacks, offering a harmonious blend of melted cheeses, fresh spinach, and aromatic garlic, baked to a golden crisp. You can prepare them either in the oven or using an air fryer for a quicker cooking option.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Rolls:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup shallots or green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Sauté the garlic and spinach: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add the baby spinach and cook until it is wilted and tender. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix the cheese filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and one beaten egg. Add the chopped shallots or green onions, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cooked spinach and garlic mixture until well combined.
- Prepare and fill the puff pastry: Roll out the sheet of puff pastry and cut it into rectangles. Spoon a portion of the spinach and cheese filling along one edge of each rectangle. Carefully roll the pastry tightly over the filling, enclosing it completely.
- Brush and garnish: Brush the tops of the rolled pastries with beaten egg to help them brown nicely in the oven. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired for added flavor and texture.
- Chill the rolls: Place the rolls in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up the pastry, which helps maintain shape during baking and slicing.
- Cut into bite-sized pieces: After chilling, remove the rolls from the refrigerator and cut them into bite-sized pieces, perfect for serving as finger foods.
- Bake until golden: Arrange the rolls on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Air fryer alternative: Alternatively, place the prepared rolls in an air fryer basket and cook at 390°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden and fully cooked through. This method is quicker and yields a similarly crispy texture.
Notes
- You can substitute the cheddar cheese with mozzarella or any other melty cheese of your preference.
- Make sure to squeeze excess moisture out of the cooked spinach to avoid soggy pastry.
- If you don’t have shallots, green onions work equally well in this recipe.
- Refrigerating the rolls before baking helps them maintain shape and prevents filling from leaking.
- These rolls can be served warm or at room temperature and make a great party appetizer or snack.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or air fryer.
