Try this Greek vegan spanakopita bites recipe
Spanakopita, a traditional Greek dish, is famed for its flaky pastry filled with spinach and feta. Our vegan version preserves its essence, omitting animal products. Originating from Greece, spanakopita holds a significant place in Greek cuisine and culture, often served at celebrations. This guide aims to introduce a vegan twist to this beloved appetizer, inviting you to explore. Let's get cooking.
Gather the following ingredients
To prepare vegan spanakopita bites, gather one cup chopped spinach (fresh or thawed), half a cup of crumbled tofu as a feta substitute, one tablespoon nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, one teaspoon dried dill for authenticity, two tablespoons olive oil plus extra for brushing, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Additionally, you'll need six sheets of phyllo dough cut into squares.
Prepare the filling
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). In a large bowl, mix well-drained chopped spinach, crumbled tofu (serving as vegan feta), nutritional yeast (for cheesy flavor), dried dill (adding authenticity), and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ensure all ingredients are well combined for an even distribution throughout the mixture.
Assemble spanakopita bites
Take a square piece of phyllo dough, brush it lightly with olive oil. Place about a tablespoon of the filling near one corner. Fold it diagonally to form a triangle, enclosing the filling inside. Continue folding in this manner until the end of the strip is reached. Repeat this process with all remaining phyllo squares until you run out of filling or dough.
Bake to perfection
Arrange your assembled spanakopita bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper ensuring they don't touch each other too closely as they will expand slightly while baking. Brush each bite lightly with some more olive oil for that golden crisp finish. Bake in your preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Serve warm
Allow your vegan spanakopita bites to cool slightly before serving them warm as an appetizer or snack. These bites pair wonderfully with a dairy-free tzatziki sauce, crafted from plant-based yogurt mixed with cucumber and garlic for dipping. This combination offers an authentic Greek dining experience that is both deliciously satisfying and entirely plant-based, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.
