Cheat’s Rice Paper Spanakopita Recipe
Cheat’s rice paper spanakopita wraps a creamy spinach, feta, ricotta, and herb filling in crisp golden rice paper. It delivers the savory flavors of classic Greek spanakopita in a quick, approachable individual parcel.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Total Time: Approximately 40–45 minutes
- Yield: About 8 parcels, approximately 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Rice paper sheets
- Fresh spinach
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Ricotta cheese
- Egg
- Green onions, finely sliced
- Fresh dill, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- Olive oil
- Lemon zest
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Sesame seeds, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the spinach briefly in a skillet until wilted. Allow it to cool, squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible, and roughly chop it.
- Place the spinach in a bowl and add the crumbled feta, ricotta, egg, green onions, dill, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
- Stir until the filling is evenly combined.
- Fill a shallow dish with warm water. Quickly dip a rice paper sheet into the water just until it starts to become flexible, taking care not to oversoak it.
- Place the softened rice paper on a clean work surface and spoon some of the spinach and feta filling into the center.
- Fold the sides over the filling and roll or fold into a compact parcel. For a sturdier shell, wrap the parcel in a second softened rice paper sheet.
- Arrange the parcels seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet and lightly brush or spray them with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the tops with optional sesame seeds.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, carefully flipping if necessary, until the wrappers are golden and crisp.
- Let the parcels rest for a few minutes before serving so the wrappers can crisp further and the filling can cool slightly.
Notes
- Squeeze the cooked spinach very thoroughly to remove excess moisture and prevent soggy parcels.
- Frozen spinach can replace fresh spinach, but it should be completely thawed and thoroughly drained before use.
- Do not oversoak the rice paper because it will continue to soften after being removed from the water.
- Double-wrapping is optional but creates a sturdier parcel and can help contain the filling.
- Mozzarella can be added for extra stretch, while Parmesan adds a stronger savory flavor.
- Kale, Swiss chard, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or red pepper flakes can be added for variations.
- For an air-fryer version, lightly oil the parcels and cook them in a single layer until golden, crisp, and thoroughly heated.
- Store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in an oven or air fryer rather than a microwave to help restore the crisp exterior.
- For make-ahead preparation, refrigerate the filling separately and assemble the rice paper parcels shortly before cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 parcels
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
